n swing better with a belt than with braces.
For the same reason I do not advise a golfer to play without his coat,
even on the warmest day, if he wants to play his best game.

* * * * *

Whenever possible, use shoes for golfing instead of boots. They allow
more freedom to the ankles, and make it much easier to pivot on the
toes. Keep the leather of your boots and shoes soft and pliable. Apply
dubbin to them in the winter.

* * * * *

Take care that there are plenty of nails on the soles of your boots and
shoes, and that they are in good condition and the heads not worn away.
Nails in this state are almost useless, and create a great tendency
towards slipping. Aluminium nails, though very light, wear away too
quickly, and have a tendency to drop out. I do not like big nails of any
description, nor do I favour small ones arranged in clusters. Those that
I prefer have round heads about the size of a small pea, and are fluted
down the sides. I have the soles and heels of my boots freely studded
with these, and always according to the same system. There are
twenty-five nails on the sole of each boot and fourteen on each heel,
and they are arranged as in the accompanying diagram. It will be
observed that there are plenty of nails in the fore part of the sole on
which the pivoting is done, and where there is the greatest tendency to
slip.

[Illustration: NAILS IN GOLFING BOOTS AND SHOES.]

* * * * *

Do not get into the habit of counting your strokes from the beginning of
the round in every match that you play, in the hope that each time you
may be able to beat your own record for the course. If you do so, and
play one or two bad holes to begin with, you will suffer from a sense of
disappointment which may have a bad effect upon your play for the
remainder of the game.

* * * * *

Obtain a thorough knowledge of the rules of the game, always play
strictly according to them, and adhere rigidly to the etiquette of golf.
When you insist upon the rules being applied to yourself, even to your
own disadvantage, you are in a stronger position for demanding that your
opponent shall also have the same respect for them. When play is always
according to the rules, with no favour shown on either side, the players
know exactly where they are. When the rules are occasionally overthrown,
difficulties and dissatisfaction constant