The Washington times., 1927-07-26

1 say it is apparently that for it is
attempted in that manner by a ma
jority OF players. A friend of mine
who plays around the 80 mark told
me few days ago that he had only
Just found out what was meant by
the forward pass, /" and I can vouch
for the fact that he has driven ex-
tremely well since.
AS a matter of fact, the forward
motion if properly done has nothing
whatever to do with the hands or
arms. it is simply and solely leg
motion, and it's purpose is to set the
legs and body into hitting position.
Watch closely any really expert
player and pay attention to his
knees, You will notice that prac!
tically every fine player, just an in.
slant before he starts his backswing,
will give a queer little witch with
his knees. In some styles the mo-
ton is quite pronounced, while in
others it is so quick and slight that
f. is not easily detected. Johnny
Farrell is very quick with it, Bill
Mehlhorn is slower, but they all do it.
The first movement after the
Waggle Is completed should be q
quick and very slight turn of the
hips In the direction OF the hole,
the right knee flexing slightly to.
ward the ball and the left leg
Strengthening Mt the same time.
The almost imperCeptib!e motion
is transmitted through the arms
to the hands, but it does not orig
mate IN them. The purpose Of
the press Is to throw the hips
and legs into position to start the
swing.
The next movement is the real
start of the backswing and here
again the hips and legs supply the
motive force, the hands for time
simply following the lead. This Is
the drag we hear SO much about.
The hips turn away from the ball
and the hands and arms do not move
until they are literally pulled away
by the left side.
This forward press and drag"
are, of course, not exaggerated and
at times are very difficult to OBJ
serve. The motion has been re-
garded as mannerism and unim
portant in the actual stroke. Yet
it is the very Hallmark of excel
lence in golf. George Duncan
says he can watch the start of
the swing and foretell the result
of the stroke. Without going so
far, to watch a man start his club
backward within certain limits is
an infalIible indication OF his
worth asa golfer.
Starting the club i'm this man.
ner Obviates two glaring faults
common among poorer players.
The two general tendencies, I
think, are either to pick the
club straight up from the ball,
or to turn it away abru tly
around the right knee. Both, Of
course, are entirely wrong.
The first, that of lifting the
club, is usually the result of TAX.
ing hold with the right hand. 1t
seems that this member wants
Immediately to take the club and
place it directly upon the shout
der. OF, course, with start of
that kind it is impossible to turn
the hips and shoulders into, any
thing like a decent position at the
top.
Taking the club hack too sharply
around the knees is caused by
quick turn of the wrists. espe-
cially' the left one. and is, of course,
thing to be avoided.
BY starting the swing with the
legs and hips. the most necessary
part of the stroke, a correct posi-
ton at the top is made possible.
The body naturally takes a free
turn into a comfortable position.
and the arms quite as naturally
follow. Remember that the for
ward press is the leg motion and
that its function is to induce free
hip and shoulder action.
\ AN~NA