These photos were taken in 1920. The credits for the photos are given as "Underwood & Underwood".
Historical Note: James Braid was a five time winner of "The Open". No one won more that he did apart from Harry Vardon. He was one of the great triumvirate. He suffered from severe motion sickness, and this prevented him from traveling, so he did not travel to North America and thus is relatively unknown there. He was a great instructor - his book 'Advanced Golf' was a best seller in his day, and also designed or upgraded many British courses.
In James Braids book 'Advanced Golf' He makes a point that there should be no tension in the forearms, however:
"The circumstances which demand the use of an iron require that the handle of the club be gripped very firmly by both hands, since any wobbling of the head of the club as the ball is struck is fatal to the success of the stroke".
Also the width of the stance should be comensurate with the distance that the ball is to be struck:
"The stance is narrower with the iron than with the wooden clubs, and the less distance the ball has to travel the more restricted become the stance in order that the necessary turn of the body can be obtained without disturbing the immobility of the feet."
In keeping with the philosophy of the day most irons were hit with a three-quarter swing as the small extra distance to be gained by a full swing was offset by the coresponding loss of accuracy.
"There is no advantage to be gained by taking a full swing with iron clubs; a three-quarter shot, besides giving better control, obtains practically all the length that can be got out of the club"
Compactnes of swing was emphasised:
"Steadiness on the feet and a compact swing are the foundation of success in play with iron clubs.
"The upward movement should be performed very deliberately, with the left elbow as straight as possible, and the greatest care must be taken to prevent any swaying of the body to the right, or any change in the position or pose of the head."
In other words don't overswing; swing to fast; sway; or move your head!
James Braid goes on to descibe the various types of shot to be played with the iron - what we now call 'working the ball' was a very important part of his game. He goes on to describe what is now recognised as a low run shot "pronate the right arm through impact"; a lob shot (with a niblick) "Supinate the right arm through impact ... Stay on the right foot..", the latter probably not good advice if taken literally, but probably what he was championing was the necessity to 'stay behind the ball', which gives a feel of very much staying on the right foot till the last moment; and a punch shot, or what he called a push shot.
The photo shows that even with the restricted follow though following on from a three-quarter shot. Braids body has completed the turn and he is facing the target.
Ed's note: I met a man, a golf professional, who played with Braid in quite bleak and windy weather when the latter was in his seventies. My confident was 22 and in his playing prime; he had a full set of Henry Cotton clubs and all the trimmings; he had a caddie to cater to all his needs. Braid apparetly carried his own pencil bag with a 'Sunday set' (probably midiron, mashie, niblick and putter) of hickory irons - his only concession to modernity was a steel shafted brassie. He shot a 77! My informant shot worse than 80! He remembers the absolutely smooth rythym as braid struck the ball, and the way he 'managed' the course. But of course all great champions seem to have this in common!