ed in the downward
swing before the ball is reached. When, as often happens, this is done
too suddenly, a sclaff is the result. Therefore an obvious
recommendation is to stand at the ball with the same amount of erectness
as there will be at the top of the swing. And remember that when you
pivot on the left toe, the lift that there is here should not spread
along to the head and shoulders, but should be absorbed, as it were, at
the waist, which should bend inwards and turn round on the hips. Once
the head has taken its position, it should never move again until the
ball has been struck. Mind that you do not fall away from the ball when
the club is about to come into contact with it. I have observed a
considerable tendency in that direction on the part of many young
players. I have pressed several of these points home in other places,
but the success of the stroke is so bound up with a proper observation
of them that I think they cannot be too frequently or too strongly
insisted upon.

If we take one more glance at all the different cleek stroke
photographs, we shall see that in each case the toes are turned well
outwards. I find that unless they take this position the player has not
the same freedom for turning upon them. In the case of full shots the
weight is more evenly divided upon both feet than in the case of others.
Thus, when the stance for a half or three-quarter cleek shot is taken,
the weight of the body falls more on the right leg than on the left. As
you have not to swing so far back, you are able to maintain this
position. You could not do so if a full stroke were being taken; hence
you would not then adopt it. Again, one allows the wrists and muscles
less play in the case of half shots than in full ones. There is more
stiffness all round. This, however, must not be taken to suggest that
even in the case of the full shot there is any looseness at the wrists.
If there were, it would be most in evidence just when it would be most
fatal, that is to say, at the moment of impact. The wrists must always
be kept severely under control. It will also be noticed from the
photographs, that at the top of the swings for both the full shot and
the half shot the body is in much the same position, but when the low
shot against the wind is being played it is pushed a little forward. I
mention these details by way of suggesting how much can be discovered
from a close and attentive study of these photographs only. Little
th