there are certain
circumstances in which I consider it to be quite invaluable. Suppose the
ball is lying fairly low in grass. It is clear to the player that his
iron club, as it approaches it, will be called upon to force its way
through some of the grass, and that as it comes into contact with the
ball many green blades will inevitably be crushed between the face of
the club and the ball, with the result, in the case of the plain-faced
club, that further progress in the matter of the follow-through will be
to some extent impeded. But when the face of the club is ribbed, at the
instant of contact between ball and club the grass that comes between is
cut through by the ribs, and thus there is less waste of the power of
the swing. The difference may be only small; but whether it is an ounce
or two or merely a few pennyweights, it is the trifle of this kind that
tells. And, of course, the tendency to skid is greater than ever when
the grass through the green, or where the ball has to be played from, is
not so short as it ought to be, and the value of the ribbed face is
correspondingly increased.

[Illustration: _PLATE XXII._ FULL SHOT WITH THE CLEEK. STANCE]

[Illustration: _PLATE XXIII._ FULL SHOT WITH THE CLEEK. TOP OF THE
SWING]

[Illustration: _PLATE XXIV._ FULL SHOT WITH THE CLEEK. FINISH]

[Illustration: _PLATE XXV._ FULL SHOT WITH THE CLEEK. FINISH]

Now we may examine the peculiarities of play with the cleek, the term
for the remainder of this chapter being taken to include the driving
mashie. It will be found that the shaft of the cleek is usually some
two to four inches shorter than the driver, and this circumstance in
itself is sufficient to demand a considerable modification in the stance
and method of use. I now invite the reader to examine the photograph and
diagram of the ordinary cleek shot (Plate XXII.), and to compare it when
necessary with Plate VI., representing the stance for the drive. It will
be found that the right foot is only 21-1/2 inches from the A line as
against 27-1/2 when driving, and the left toe is only 24 inches from it
as compared with 34. From this it appears that the left foot has been
brought more forward into line with the right, but it is still behind
it, and it is essential that it should be so, in order that the arms may
be allowed a free passage through after the stroke. The feet remain
about the same distance apart, but it should be noticed that the whole
body has been mov