an usual. In this half shot
the club is not swung so far back, nor is the follow-through continued
so far at the finish. To make a complete success of this stroke, the
ball must be hit in much the same manner as when a low ball was wanted
in driving against the wind. In playing an ordinary cleek shot, the turf
is grazed before the ball in the usual manner; but to make this half or
push shot perfectly, the sight should be directed to the centre of the
ball, and the club should be brought directly on to it (exactly on the
spot marked on the diagram on page 170). In this way the turf should be
grazed for the first time an inch or two on the far side of the ball.
The diagram on this page shows the passage of the club through the ball,
as it were, exactly. Then not only is the ball kept low, but certain
peculiarities are imparted to its flight, which are of the utmost value
when a half shot with the cleek is called for. Not only may the ball be
depended upon never to rise above a certain height, but, having reached
its highest point, it seems to come down very quickly, travelling but a
few yards more, and having very little run on it when it reaches the
turf again. When this shot is once mastered, it will be found that these
are very valuable peculiarities, for a long approach shot can be gauged
with splendid accuracy. The ball is sent forwards and upwards until it
is almost overhanging the green, and then down it comes close to the
pin. I admit that when the ball is hit in this way the shot is made
rather difficult--though not so difficult as it looks--and, of course,
it is not absolutely imperative that this method should be followed.
Some good players make the stroke in the same way as the full shot, so
far as hitting the ball is concerned, but in doing so they certainly
lose the advantages I have pointed out, and stand less chance of scoring
through a finely placed ball. I may remark that personally I play not
only my half cleek stroke but all my cleek strokes in this way, so much
am I devoted to the qualities of flight which are thereby imparted to
the ball, and though I do not insist that others should do likewise in
all cases, I am certainly of opinion that they are missing something
when they do not learn to play the half shot in this manner. The
greatest danger they have to fear is that in their too conscious efforts
to keep the club clear of the ground until after the impact, they will
overdo it and simply top the ba