Jigger and Niblick

The jigger is a cross between a mid-iron and a mashie, with nearly the range of the mid-iron and nearly the capacity for raising the ball which the mashie has. The principle of playing it is identically the same as with the other iron shots.

Turf should be taken after meeting the ball. The idea is to strike so as to drive the ball against the ground, and the club will keep on into the turf, but the ball will be pushed up or bounced up by reason of the impact with the ground.

I have explained in previous sections why this method of playing irons not only will give greater distance but far greater accuracy of line. In addition to this, it is practically hitting a teed ball every time.

If a ball is on an upward incline it is easy to hit it clean with the club, and if the purpose in the player's mind is to drive the ball against the ground it brings all the effort in a similar direction, just as though the ball was teed, or was resting upon an upward incline.

The vast majority of so-called jiggers are misnomers. Generally they are distorted mashies. They have not the hitting surface of the mashie, yet they have the same "loft." A true jigger should have nearly the incline which a mid-iron has, but a narrower blade, in order to have the bulk of the weight well below the center of the ball to emphasize its tendency to make the ball prise.

It should really give a much longer ball than a mashie is capable of if played with the same amount of effort. The player should re-member that his club should propel the ball down against the ground. The ball will bounce back, while the club continues along practically the same line. This is how turf is taken after hitting the ball. This is really the only club with which it is comparatively easy to pick a ball off hard surface or sand.

The broad base prevents it feeding too deep into the turf or sand, and a very long ball is possible. The majority of jiggers are laid back too much and do not allow of a sufficient additional distance with the same effort you would make with the mashie.