Jim Barnes was the first winner of the professional 'Grand Slam'. There was no 'Masters' in his time.
The images and text are from "Picture analysis of Golf Strokes" 1919 by James M. Barnes. Photos are by L.F Deming
The instruction may seem a little 'odd' to our modern ears, but it should be remembered that these writers grew up 'feeling' what they were doing and did not have access to photos and movies, indeed this book is realy the first that employed sequenced photographs. Note however how in keeping with modern teaching the elbos are kept close to the body, and he is 'showing' the face of the club to the hole.
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| The stance is more square, and the face of the club is only slightly open. This stroke is played to produce a run to the ball after it pitches on the green. The grip is well down the clubshaft and the body bent well forward from the waist. |
The backward swing is a simultaneous lifting from the wrists and a relatively shortswing of the arms. This part of the stroke is practically the same as that for the short pitch. The movement is firm and deliberate, and not hurried.The wrists are bent well back and the elbows close to the body. The club swings inline with the flight of the ball. | |
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| In the forward swing the left arm is kept straight, and the shot is made with a firm hit from the right hand. Both feet are always firm and flat on the ground. There is only aslight turning of the body or bending of the knees. | After the ball is hit the club and hands travel along the line to the hole, the clubhead remaining low. In the forward picture the club head is seen just entering the turf as the ball leaves its face.The ball is only about an inch away. The hit has been made mainly with the right hand, sharply and firmly, the thumb and the fore-finger doing most of the work. | |