The Washington herald., 1922-06-26

In the last few weeks. since the
new season has gotten well under
way again. / have received a num-
Der of letters requesting that / take
up In greater detail the matter OF
proper pivoting. which is 30 impor-
tant in the building up of any
game.
As pivoting 10 one Of the main
foundations OF good balance, and
good balance Is necessary for both
direction and distance in golf, you
can see how important Il is that
each golfer should pay close atten-
ton to this part Of his or her game.
II baseball player stood rigidly
and tried to throw a ball without
any turn OF the body he could only
make a snap throw without getting
and distance or any great speed on
the ball. The same Is true Of golf
In this connection I want to say
here that IL is a bad idea to wait
until you start a round of golf be-
fore putting any of these sugges-
tions into effect. No one can try to
think OF three or four things as
the swing starts and then hit the
ball. The best way is TO take out
club. without the bail, and de-
velop the right habit of good pivot
ing so that IL comes instinctively 20
the swing. There Is no use In try
ing to remember several things
while in the act OF hitting at the
ball in some match. As you can
practice pivoting or body turning
without using the ball. you have
many chances to work on this part
of your game.
Firm But Relaxed.
In the first place. TO pivot In the
right way the body must be firm
but relaxed.
There must be nrmness withou,
stiffness or rigidity. A post can't
pivot. A dish rag can be twisted
around. but il has no hrmness.
The left foot. or left heel chiefly.
should start turning with the left
knee and left shoulder just as soon
as the left arm starts the club head
back.
There should be a feeling of the
left doing all the turning on the
back swing. with the right foot
firmly on the sround-and the right
leg straight.
The back swing Is all under the
direction Of the left side of the
body, the left hand. wrist and arm
carrying the club head back. with
the right waiting its time
While the right leg should he
straight. II should not be too rigid
to support the turning or pivoting
OF the back swing.
This may sound complicated, but
II you think IL over and try II out
a. t. -Nw
Left Heel and Knee.
As the left hand. wrist and arm
start the back swing. the left heel
should be raised only slightly. with
most of the pressure on the inside
of the big toe. In this same move
ment the left knee turns in toward
the ball with a feeling of pointing
at it,
The left shoulder turns on almost
the same level-if anything slightly
lowered-snd at the top of the
swing 1t should be in a direct line
with the ball.
Just follow these movements in
order in thinking them over. but
remember that they should all work
together. 1t isn't hard to have the
left foot, left knee and left shoulder
turn at the same time in a natural
way.
even balance at the top of the
swing. Swaying the body. lifting,
or carrying too much weight on the
ing.
The sway breaks up the pivot or
turn at the start.
On fha daUn swing fhara xhnfr a
be a feeling of getting the left foot
knee and shoulder back in their
original positions, to support the
turning of the right shoulder, knee
and foot.
There should then be a firm feel
ing in the left leg to support the
blow that is coming.
In pivoting don't try to use the
hips. They will turn all right II
the body is relaxed as IL should be.
The Head Anchor.
Some of this may seem hard to
follow. but IL isn't IL you will only
give IL some study and work over
II a little while.
II will be OF no use-for you IL you
wait TO put II into effect during
some match round.
But IL you will only get these
ideas firmly fixed and then take
every chance you have with a club
at home or while waiting around
the tee for the match TO start. you
will soon work your way to the
right habit that comes naturally
and by instinct. without having to
be thought out
In working out these suggestions.
remember that the head 10 the an
Choir. II must hold its place TO al
low the body to turn In about the
same space IL occupied at the start
OF the address.
II the the head is svayed back.
the body must sway with ft--and
this means trouble.
II 10 true enough that q few good