The Washington times., 1929-03-22
KING
TELLS Of
BRASS|E
BY Johnny Farrell
(NatiOnaI Open ChmaDiOn)

Of all the shots IN g0n the
most spectacular is the con-
trolled brassie that dispatches
the ball in a low trajectory 200
or more yards to the green. 1t
is a fairway deed that ever
calls from it's beholders ex-
clamations Of delight. Brassie
shots of this sort are raritles
and are seldom made even by
the experts.
Walter Hagen is a great hand
with the brass!e. He startled the
British, saveral times, by unerring
exploits with this club and he gave
me one of the thrills of my golfing
life only last tall We were playing
a round at the Westchester-B -Biltmore
Hagen, Leo Diegel, Billy Burke
and myself. Walter and ! were all
even as we iced off at the eight
eenth "a par 5 hole) of 500 wards
with the green on the top of hill
that rolls rather precipitously.
We were all out in front of THE
Haig" with our drives and none of
us got farther than the base of the
hill with our second shots. l
watched Walter closely as he drew
his brassie out of his kit for, know
ing him well, / realized he would
make a bold bid for home. He did.
/ never saw a shot hit with more
compact power. ] thought Of a
bomb going off in a small room as
Walter banked into the ball and
sent it with btautifui accuracy on
its way to the green. 1t hit well up
on the side of the hill, skittered up,
and came to rest IS feet from the
flag a truly marvellous effort.
And with "a typical Hagen
esQue gesture Sir Walter
rammed home the putt for an
eagle three.
Brassie shots do not always come
off spectacularIy even for the ex-
perts. The brassie at times has
made towards of most of US, be-
cause of the fine degree of ac-
curacy required for its proper exe-
cution. 1t arouses so much fear in
the inexpert player that he Shuns
1t whenever the opportunity arises.
Frequently he will place his faith
in a spoon instead. even when he
realizes it will leave him short OF
his target. 1t is the safer way
perhaps and probably more profit.
able in the long run, but neglect
Of the brassie will retard his
progress In a game he Is trying so
diligently to master. Instead OF
cOnquering the club he relegates it
to idelness.
| will venture the statement
that he who can play the bras
sic well is certain to succeed.
There seems to be a false idea
prevalent through cumberland
as to just how the brassie shot
should be played.
l am afraid too many treat 1t
the same as they do the drive.
Now, in the drive everything is
favorable for the clean hit. The
ball Is teed up. the ground is
level and elevated and you can
abandon yourself in confidence that
the shot will be no dud.
The brassie is vastly different
than the drive. 1t is more Of hit
than a sweep and for that reason
alone it is more closely related to
the iron than to the driver.
need only point out that the
lie of the bah usually is very
close and that the stance often
is awkward, to make you realize
that the effort must be less
than the drive. Therefore the
swing must be more upright
and curtailed.
These effects can better be in"
duced by an open stance which will
restrict the pivot and encourage
more expansive follow through,
which is imperative if distance is
to be had.
In the actual playing of the shot
It is important that a firmer strip
be cultivated and the weight per
mitted to sag more on the left foot
in the address and at the top of the
swing. This will help in delivering
a descending blow on the ball. The
firmer grip will steady the whole
body and assist in making the
stroke a controlled, compact effort.
(Copyright 1929. King Features
Syndicate. Inc.l