Fred Gross Stories · Chapter
Fore! explained
Fred Gross writes to his brother Charley about joining the country club and taking up golf.
What happens
Fred Gross writes to his brother Charley about joining the country club and taking up golf. He describes his initial lessons, his first game, and his growing enthusiasm for the sport, despite the costs. He also recounts a drinking and betting incident with Mr. Thomas and Mr. Carpenter, and his plans to win the president's cup in an upcoming tournament to appease his wife, Grace, who is unhappy about his spending his vacation at the golf club.
Themes in this chapter
Social Status and Class Anxiety
Fred's desire to join the country club to be among the 'right people' and his pride in winning the cup reflect his concern with social standing.
Consumerism and Materialism
Fred's spending on golf balls, clubs, and club fees, and his plan to win a silver cup as a gift, highlight the materialistic aspects of the hobby.
Marriage and Domestic Life
Fred's conflict with Grace over his golfing and vacation time illustrates tensions in their domestic life.
Characters to notice
- Fred A. Gross
Narrator and protagonist; joins the country club, takes golf lessons, and enters a tournament.
- Brother Charley
Fred's brother and confidant; recipient of the letters.
- Grace Charley
Fred's wife; unhappy about Fred's golf obsession and vacation plans.
- Mr. Thomas
Rival golfer; Fred bets $50 against him in a match.
- Mr. Carpenter
Holds the stakes for the golf bet between Fred and Mr. Thomas.
- Fredericks
Garage owner; plays golf with Fred on his first day.
Key passages
“dues is payable every 3 months at $12.50 a clip so a man wont hardly notice that part of it.”
The quarterly dues are only $12.50, so they're easy to overlook.
Fred rationalizes the cost of club membership.
“I dont expect to get no excitement out of a baby game like golf but I dont half to play much and the main thing is being a member of the club.”
I don't think golf is exciting, but I don't have to play much; the important thing is being a club member.
Fred's initial dismissive attitude toward golf, valuing membership over the game itself.
“I never seen the game yet where I had to get any body to learn me how to play it.”
I've never needed anyone to teach me a game before.
Fred's confidence and reluctance to take golf lessons.
“I got the cup and I win it fair and square and they cant nobody take that away from me.”
I won the cup fairly, and no one can take that from me.
Fred's pride in winning a golf cup, despite the earlier dispute with Mr. Thomas.
“I found out something yesterday and that is that a man cant do yourself justice playing golf when you dont feel good and it cost me $50 to find it out.”
I learned that you can't play well when you're not feeling well, and it cost me $50 to learn that.
Fred's realization after losing a bet due to his hangover.