The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-12-02
1-For the Average Golfer.

in the hope that Ii will add some
what to the knowledge and perhaps
the golflng skill Of the average
player, and especially of the aver,
age beginner. This includes 8
good % per cent Of all devotees OF
the good old game, the sport that
was being ~legislated against when
Columbus discovered America.
Itis understood that some of the
subjects treated Will be an old
story to expert golfers and even to
those students of the game whose
knowledge of the golf swing out
runs their ability 20 bring in low
scores. The articles will have
served their purpose if they can
suggest methods which can be used
by the average player for the i'm
provement of his or her game; it
being doubtful If the golfer ever
lived who felt no ambition to raise
the general level of his skill.
With the knowledge that this
ambition is universal. it seems a
real pity that the majority Of
average golfers, the majority of
golfers, in fact, began playing and
r continuing along lines that
make improvement almost impos-
sible. There Is nothing in all sport
so d~elicately adjusted nor so sus-
ceptible Of getting out of gear as
the golf swing. The youngster,
especially the %obseryant caddy,
pfolyc ~ n nond eu,inn hy fpaftotfoU
skillful players and anchors the
ability thus obtained by constant
practice.
This power of imitation Is almost
completely lacking in the adult.
He or she must learn verbally as
well as usually. There are thou
sands of volunteer spreaders of
mlsinformation TO be found on golf
courses, but getting Instruction.
from them is on a par with hand
ing a broken watch for repair toI
a blacksmith.
The professional golf instructor
should be consulted until such time
as the golf student has an estab-
lished swing and should continue toI
be consulted whenever the swing
develops a fault. The average
who has taken no lessons,
or few of them, is more than apt
to keep his handicap of a years
standing to the end Of his playing
days.
And this foreword TO the average
is the suggestion that he or
she begin again under competent
Instruction.
2-Let the Club Do the Work.
With the first lesson from your
-olf teacher, preferably In the use
f the mashie, should come careful
consideration of the purpose of that
essen. 1t will not be necessary for
he teacher to emphasize the diff
ulty of making the swing proper
=; the pupil will know that before
he first lesson is ended. 1t will be !
ecessary, however, for the pupil, D.,
he wishes to get much benefit
the lessons, to learn the rea- !
On for the various elements of the
wing and, most important of all, to :
ldlh Tit DtllCnl vi lAltiI1Stlt. {
loughtful practice.
Every particle of instruction and
very word written about the Z
Iethods of making a golf swing
in hitting the ball properly, \
it'll the club faced properly and q
aveling at the right speed. AS a !
eneral rule, and an ~invariable rule =
here distance is the main consid- l
this means that, at the mo- "
ent of impact, the club Is travel a
G along the line of flight, parallel n
the ground and with the face of Il
club at right angles to the line
ON the ball to the hole. :,
The. beginner then should con- v
all his mental and physi
| energies on hitting the ball CT
for distance, leaving the A
of making cut shots or "
oks or slices for future consider !.
ion. The first point is to learn !
AT the ball must he hit at or be- N
V the middle of the back and that al
loft of the club and its forward bl
Dtion will take care of the loft of Al
: ball. Take the stance and grip
the club as suggested by the n
lcher and make the swing very y
WHY and only a few inches back
I'd and forward. Do not use a tie
at first. Keep your eyes glued 81
the slowly swinging club. Al hr
st at once the whole idea will be l.,
in. Let the club swing over a !
aight mark. keeping it at right ~
lies all the time. A little later 'R'
| be plenty of time to use a ball
cal n if the practice can be out Ell
doors, or of wool for in
'rs. ~
here is nothing mor important y
the beginner than to practice IN
watch this right-angled posi- en-.
/ of the club along the line of a
hit.
instruction and Practice. r.
is a continuing source of Won
that so many golfers begin and
, OF playing the game without fer
ruction. Many of them take Sal
ming pride in the statement that at
never have had a lesson.
t statement needs no vertical
The players swing is sufi- vi
( proof. 1t is within bounds TO !
the majority of average golfers Brs
= a very hazy idea Of how TO al &
e a correct swing and why any Sat
G is incorrect that does not let
club hit the ball at right angles
he line of flight. Bri
most any average golfer or per- \
who proposes TO take up the vim
q hac a frfap6 wbo ic cIacSad DC