QUIRKS They Will Only Tighten Up
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quirk. If they are told to grasp more firmly with that hand in the first place, QUIRKS they will only tighten up. Patrick Sniartt It looks wrong, and what looks odd usually is wrong. Any sudden change in the grip must be detrimental. It is much the same as letting go at the top. Not for the first time, I have Those who have made a lengthy interrupted writing to find the factual study of golfers swinging a club, will consequence. Using a normal grip, have noticed a number of quirks with the club head on the ground, I peculiar to different individuals. deliberately squeezed with the left Quirks that are natural, not gim- hand. The club face opened, slightly micks. The latter which I was once but perceptibly. given to understand, not by an editor, Like the batsman in cricket, who were useful for selling purposes. There quite unconsciously has several tugs are times when one is driven to blunt- at his cap peak, Arnold Palmer gives ness. Gimmicks are "instant cures'. a hitch to his trousers. In the past, The Aspirin and Enos after a bibulous when a youngster asked a notable pro- night out. fessional (I am near certain it was the People do very odd things. A young late Archie Compston), what he did lady I know, had a habit of kicking when the pressure was on, was told off her shoes before driving her car. he tightened his shoe laces. One That, I suppose a nearly an eccentri- could never be sure how serious that city. I recall apprehension that a character was being. It seems logical, stockinged foot would lack weight in the sense that it could give a feel- when applied to the brake pedal. On ing of bracing up to the task. There a very hot day she discarded her golf may be something in that. shoes, and competed in golf socks. Bobby Locke, when he discarded Unlike the occasion when Sam plus-fours for trousers after his car Snead did the same thing, in his smash, turned the ends up twice. He younger days, there was no dissentient still does. I always meant to ask him uproar. why ? Quirk, or for a good reason ? Saddled with a compulsive habit of He was not a man who indulged in watching, detail catches the eye. It quirks. Sandy Herd, one of the old- has been made clear, many times, I time greats, was noted for the number hold the breaking down of the swing of waggles he took. A treasured story into sections results in confusion. But, is of a spectator saying to him: "You there is some searching in the mind take a hell of a lot of waggles, Herd". over certain habits. Why for instance, To be answered: "Yes. But I hit a do some players after years and years hell of a lot of good shots." of experience fiddle with their grip Fred Daly took an inordinate num- before starting the swing ? The first ber of waggles, prior to putting. That class players take the club in their may have been incipient 'twitch'. His nngers, without any fuss. There may quirk was to whistle his way round. slight adjustments to correct a Many a golfer takes a pull at his glove change that has crept in unbeknownst. before gripping the club. This obvi- I have read somewhere of a golfer ously began from a desire to feel the was worried, for his left hand glove fitted closely, an essential. SriP on the club always tightened as Gloves stretch, but even with a new started the backswing. I have seen one, it has developed into a custom others who suffered from this with some. In watching the 'name' players of today, you seldom, if ever see the putter blade rested in front of the ball, and then grounded behind it. I do not know who started that, but R. C. CRAIG many of us followed this system. Were AND CO. LTD. I still playing, I would do so. What SPECIALISTS IN THE P.EPAIR AND purpose did it serve ? Perhaps we MAINTENANCE OF ALL TYPES OF MOWERS thought it helped in aiming, or was it * Agents for: RANSOMES SIMS & to create the feeling of a follow JEFFERIES LTD. * LLOYDS & CO. LTD. through—now out of fashion. WEBBS LAWN MOWERS There is no reason, though, to sup- pose the angle of the putter face * Distributors: DENNIS BROS. LTD. behind the ball was precisely the same GANG MOWERS FOR HIRE as when it was rested in front. Which is probably why it has departed from We will gladly call on you to advise the ritual of putting. on your grass cutting equipment or A few when lining up a putt, dangle arrange demonstrations. Ring us now the club in a perpendicular position before their eyes. Several times the purpose of this has been explained to me, leaving me none the wiser, and 153 Arch Stamford Brook causing a squint. Station, LONDON, W.6 There are the gestures from players 01-748 5415 demonstrating their reaction to a shot. Originally they were compulsive, be- came habits, and are widely copied by lesser golfers. The forward kick of delight as a long one drops in the hole came from America. The clen- S. HL COSS & CO. ched fist of Gary Player when he holes a vital one. And for those who WEED CONTROL remove the glove before putting, it is a must that it be put in the hip pocket. SPECIALISTS Why? Because Arnold Palmer did Selective or Total Weed Control it. Grass Growth Retarding One quirk, if it can be deemed so, Brushwood Control has always puzzled me. It is that of the champion kissing the ball after Aquatic Weeds the winning stroke. It was not res- also ponsible for his success, whereas the Worm Control putter was. Others hurl it into the Fertilisers Applied crowd, which is preferable. So far we Cen Spared an ne caddie y° kissing his Fairoaks, In this glance at peculiarities, super- Little Warley, stitions, quirks, or what have you, Hall Lane, ere ls 5 n , °ne piece of nostalgia. I snouid love to see one of the old Brentwood, Essex pttisans (a vanishing mould), spit on Telephone: Brentwood 216107 ,s hands before grasping the club. .