ESPECIALLY FOR SPRAY HITTERS

If you stand on the first tee at any club, you will see that most missed shots are caused by the very first move made by the player: the way the stance and aim were taken.

If this is one of your troubles, here is a tip to work on the next time you go out to the practice tee. Stand back of the ball and look over the target. Get a mental picture of what you want to do. Get your grip and set the left arm so that it forms a proper angle with the shaft: the shaft should be almost a direct continuation of the line of the fully extended left arm. Maintain this stretch of the left arm as you walk up to get set at the ball.

Now place the right foot and the club head in their respective positions, with the club face behind the ball, squarely at right angles to the line of flight. Then point the left shoulder toward the objective (and not to the right of it, as women especially do). Now place the left foot in position, so that the ball is opposite the left heel. You are now ready and aligned so that you can execute a swing that is an integrated one-piece movement.

When you are practicing this method of aiming the shot properly, remember that it is all-important that the club head should remain squarely behind the ball until both feet have been set and the body has assumed its correct position.

from BOBBY CRUICKSHANK Chartiers Country Club, Pittsburgh, Pa.

PHOTO

TWO ILLUSTRATIONS

Bobby Cruickshank illustrates his method for aiming his shots

NEXT WEEK: GEORGE GORDON ON THE STRAIGHT LEFT ARM