In its November 1973 issue, Golf Monthly was unveiling a different view on carbon dating, noting that, “A golfer can be dated from whether he is, or is not, a waggler. The waggle practically disappeared from golf many years ago and when seen today, it will invariably be an elderly golfer so engaged.”
Before anyone starts to think that said elderly golfer is excusing himself after too long at the 19th hole, it turns out that waggling was a “gentle passing to-and-fro of the clubhead over the ball and, in some instances, merely back from, and to the ball.”
Out of fashion it might have become, but writer Patrick Smartt was all for its return. “The reason for the waggle was to prevent the player becoming static, ie starting from a stationary position…If permitted to knock off more years than I care to count, and took up the game again, I should waggle. I cannot find a reason why I should not!”
More on the philosophy of waggling can be found here.
