82 



POLO APPLIANCES. 



[Chap. III. 



command by using a short one. Also, the shorter 

 the stick, the heavier can the head be made without 

 altering the balance, and, consequently, the more 

 driving power can be obtained. For every inch taken 

 off the length of the stick, about half an ounce can be 

 added to the weight of the head. 



Care must be taken that the weight of the head is 

 proportionate to the strength of the stick. Although 

 a certain amount of spring in the cane is necessary 

 for the stick to drive well, very whippy sticks are 



Fig. 37. — Dififerent kinds of heads for polo sticks. 



dangerous, as they are apt to curl round and hit an 

 opponent in the face, especially if the hit be made 

 under the pony's neck. Above all things a stick 

 must be well balanced. Fifty-two inches for a 14. i 

 pony is a good average length, the limit being about 

 two inches either way. The best plan for a 

 beginner in search of a good stick is to make a 

 collection of the different kinds of sticks which the 

 best players of his acquaintance use, and having 

 tried them, to find out what sort suits him best. 

 He can then order his own sticks from the maker, 



