The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-22
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POINTS ON FLAMING

For a number of years now have used but two grips in my game one for all the shots through the green and another for putting. The latter stroke stands by itself and has nothing In common with any other golf stroke.
 Most people know In a general way the uses of the various clubs. They know the driver is for shots from the tee--in other words for the longest shots of the game; the bras sic for long shots off the fairgreen; the long irons for something short of the brassic shot; the different lofted iron clubs for shorter dis tances, and the niblick for extri- eating oneself from hazards of all kinds. The moment, however, the beginner golfer takes one of these clubs in his hand he is confronted with his first important problem: :: How shall I grip 1t? Can one grip be used for every club, or must it vary with the use to which the club is put? want to lay added empha- sis on the finger grip here.
 Natural Way Wrong
 Usually advise following nature and comfort in playing golf, but it seems undeniably that the natural way of gripping a golf club is abso- lutely the wrong way. Whether 1t is because the average American boy has played baseball. it is certainly true that the average man will grab his first golf club with both fists wrapped around the grip in the same manner that he held his favorite l.k al .~ grip and shaft and his thumbs are around the grip. This method of holding a golf club is so common that emphatic condemnation of 1t seems necessary.
 l do not mean that man who plays with the palm grip cannot, other things being equal, attain a fair degree of success at golf, for there are many good players who use It. It is possible that most of the leading golfers of the country began that way, but I do not think any of them use it now. Gardner, a noted player, was a palm gripper until about three years ago, when he changed with what he believes to be of great benefit to his game. gradually discovered, through suf-
 
 4 Game of Rhythm
 I think that tho reason that what appears to be the mat al" grip in golf Is wrong is that we start out with the wrong Idea of the game. We think we are, expected to slug the ball and the palm grip is the slugger's grip. In reality golf is 8 game of touch and rhythm and the idea of brute force must be ab- solutely banished from the golfers mind. The leading idea of golf Is not how far or wide a ball may be sent. but where 1t can be placed. Touch. and thereby control of the club. seems to lie in the fingers, for the palm Is comparatively sensitive. Then, too. the palm allows a great deal of play to the grip of the club, while the firm grasp of the fingers holds 1t in control.
 The golfer must avoid all tightness of muscles, for with tightness rhythm flies away. Pearhaps I should say that he should try to ac- quire sort of relaxed firmness.
 Aside from this there are other practical reasons in favor of the fin- gersgrip. Those callouses on the golfers hands arc largely the re- suit of the palm grip. Furthermore. there arc shots for which the palm grip cannot be used and 1t requires the maximum of practice to keep several grips in working order.
 Copyright John F. Dille Co.)