Ladies' Golf. By May Hezlet (Hutchinson and Co. 6s. net.)
—Miss May Hezlet has won the open championship twice and the Irish championship once ; hence she has the right of successful experience to speak on the subject of "ladies' golf." It is not easy to see what speciality there is in golf as played by women to distinguish it from the game as played by men, nor does Miss Hezlet clear up the difficulty. More than two-thirds of her book is, indeed, taken up by a history of the game as so played. The earliest record dates from 1810, when the Royal Musselburger Club offered. a prize of a creel, shawl, and two Barcelona silk handkerchiefs to the "fish ladle> " of that ancient burgh. We fear that the "fish ladies" have ceased to play the game. Perhaps the most valuable part of Miss Hezlet's instructions concerns play with iron clubs. These require more strength in using than driver or brassey ; and it is here that women are at a disadvantage, which they must do their best to make up by acquired skill. It is a curious thing, in view of this, how ladies will persist in using iron clube through the green when there is no possible reason against using wood. Au emphatic warning against the practice would have been useful. There is a valuable description of " approach " shots, which readers will do well to assimilate. There arc also some words of wisdom concerning. "stance." We do not venture to recommend "rational costume " to lady golfers, but it is a serious disadvantage not to have time practical instruction which may be got, say, from the photographs in Mr. Beldam's volume. But skirts, even of moderate length, obscure the position. Nothing can be learnt, for instance, from the "Addressing for a Drive" which faces p. 38.
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