Golf Stories · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Golf Stories by P. G. Wodehouse.
Chapter 1
Archibald's Benefit
Archibald Mealing, a hopelessly incompetent golfer, unexpectedly enters and wins his club's championship after his opponent, Gossett, is repeatedly distracted by urgent telegrams that his friend Sigsbee prevents him from reading. Archibald's victory is fueled by his desire to finish the match in time to meet his fiancée, Margaret Milsom, for lunch.
Chapter 2
The Clicking of Cuthbert
A young man declares he is giving up golf, but the Oldest Member tells him the story of Cuthbert Banks to prove golf's practical value. Cuthbert, a golfer in Wood Hills, falls in love with Adeline Smethurst, a cultured woman who rejects him for lacking intellectual ambition. After a near-hit by Cuthbert's golf ball disrupts a lecture by Raymond Parsloe Devine, Cuthbert meets Adeline. He proposes but is turned down because she wants a husband of achievement. Later, Cuthbert impresses Adeline by hosting the famous Russian novelist Vladimir Brusiloff, who prefers golf talk to literary discussion. Brusiloff's visit leads to Cuthbert winning Adeline's heart, and they marry, with Adeline becoming a golf enthusiast. The young man, inspired, retrieves his clubs.
Chapter 3
A Woman Is Only a Woman
The Oldest Member reflects on the dangers of love for a golfer, using the story of Peter Willard and James Todd. The two friends, equally incompetent at golf, both fall for Grace Forrester, but when she reveals her disdain for the game, they recoil in horror and rededicate themselves to golf, reinforcing their bond and commitment to the sport.
Chapter 4
A Mixed Threesome
The Oldest Member tells the story of Mortimer Sturgis, a thirty-eight-year-old man who takes up golf for the first time and becomes utterly obsessed, neglecting his fiancée Betty Weston. Betty, who had been content with Mortimer, finds herself drawn to his best friend, the explorer Eddie Denton. The chapter follows Mortimer's rapid descent into golf mania and the emotional strain it places on his relationship with Betty.
Chapter 5
Sundered Hearts
Mortimer Sturgis discovers that his wife, Mary Somerset, is secretly the Ladies' Open Croquet Champion, leading to a crisis in their marriage. After a period of agony, he resolves to forgive her and help her take up golf, but she has already left him, leaving a farewell letter. The chapter also recounts their initial meeting in the South of France, where Mortimer fell in love with her after she gave him golf advice.
Chapter 6
The Salvation of George Mackintosh
The Oldest Member recounts the tragic transformation of George Mackintosh from a silent, virtuous golfer into a compulsive talker, 'Gabby George,' whose incessant chatter alienates his friends and threatens his engagement to Celia Tennant. Celia seeks the Oldest Member's help, and together they attempt to reason with George during a round of golf, hoping for a cure.
Chapter 7
Ordeal by Golf
The Oldest Member reflects on the importance of the golfing temperament, using the story of young Mitchell Holmes, whose engagement to Millicent Boyd is jeopardized by his inability to control his temper on the links. Millicent tries to help him with a self-help book by Professor Orlando Rollitt, but during a crucial match against rival Rupert Dixon for a company treasurership, Mitchell's temper explodes when his caddie crunches an apple during his swing. He destroys the book and concedes the match, only to be offered the treasurership by Alexander Paterson, who values his honest passion over Dixon's cold composure.
Chapter 8
The Long Hole
The Oldest Member recounts the story of Ralph Bingham and Arthur Jukes, two evenly matched golfers whose rivalry over Amanda Trivett leads to an extraordinary match played across the countryside. The match, which involves a rulebook dispute and a dramatic finish, ultimately ends in a draw when Amanda reveals she is engaged to another man.
Chapter 9
The Heel of Achilles
The Oldest Member recounts the story of Vincent Jopp, a superman financier who takes up golf and achieves scratch in a single morning through sheer will and confidence. He dominates the game, winning medal after medal, and reaches the final of the American Amateur Championship. However, his fiancée Amelia Merridew, who had set winning the championship as a condition for marriage in hopes of avoiding it, reveals she loves another and begs the narrator to distract Jopp during the final. The narrator refuses, citing duty and a bet on Jopp.
Chapter 10
The Rough Stuff
The Oldest Member tells a story about Ramsden Waters, a meek man who proposes to Eunice Bray after being paired with her in a mixed foursomes golf competition. On the course, Ramsden transforms into a confident, commanding golfer, surprising Eunice and asserting authority over her and her brother Wilberforce.
Chapter 11
The Coming of Gowf
A humorous tale set in the ancient kingdom of Oom, where King Merolchazzar discovers the game of golf (called 'Gowf') through a mysterious stranger. The king becomes obsessed with the game, neglecting his royal duties and his wife, leading to comedic consequences as the sport spreads through the kingdom.
Chapter 12
Prologue
The narrator and a companion visit an editor to propose a story, initially suggesting an historical tale but quickly pivoting to a golf story when the editor demands red-blooded, dynamic content with a love-motive. The editor, after a brief flicker of interest, dismisses them with a kick.
Chapter 13
The Story
King Merolchazzar of Oom, lovesick over the unresponsive Princess of the Outer Isles, discovers golf through a Scottish gardener. He becomes obsessed with the new 'religion' of Gowf, causing unrest among courtiers and priests, while his half-brother Ascobaruch plots to exploit the situation.
Chapter 14
Epilogue
The narrator and others anxiously await the editor's verdict on a manuscript. The editor approves, saying 'I like it,' and rewards the narrator with a purse of gold before having him thrown out.
Chapter 15
The Heart of a Goof
The Oldest Member recounts the story of Ferdinand Dibble, a 'goof' whose golf-induced diffidence prevents him from proposing to Barbara Medway. Through a series of events at Marvis Bay, including a crucial match against George Parsloe, Ferdinand's game improves, and Barbara's timely interruption helps him win both the match and her hand.
Chapter 16
High Stakes
Bradbury Fisher, a Wall Street veteran and twenty-four handicap golfer, uses cunning and a bribed caddie to cheat against Gladstone Bott in a high-stakes match. After a rocky start, he abandons scientific play for raw power, turning the game around. The match escalates with bets on a butler and railroads, showcasing Fisher's ruthless pragmatism.
Chapter 17
Keeping in with Vosper
Bradbury Fisher, a Wall Street millionaire and avid golfer, deceives his wife about going to the office so he can play golf. After winning a small pewter cup in a tournament, he returns home elated and doubles Vosper's wages. However, his wife reveals that Vosper has complained about him going to the office, forcing Bradbury to find a new pretext. He fabricates a trip to Sing-Sing for a college event. The chapter also includes a framing story where the Oldest Member recounts this tale to a young man frustrated with his wife's delays on the golf course.
Chapter 18
Chester Forgets Himself
Chester Meredith, having been rejected by Felicia Blakeney due to his affected behavior and association with her brother Crispin, resolves to dedicate himself to golf. Later, while playing, he encounters the slow-playing Wrecking Crew and becomes infatuated with Felicia upon seeing her again, though he fears his lack of intellectual refinement will ruin his chances.
Chapter 19
The Magic Plus Fours
Wallace Chesney, once a perfect golfer, discovers the joy of uncertainty after a series of disastrous shots, and becomes convinced that wearing a champion's Plus Fours will improve his game. Despite ridicule from friends and his fiancée Charlotte Dix, he insists on playing in the garish outfit, leading to a wager. The Oldest Member then begins a story about the dangers of sudden golfing success, using Wallace's tale as a cautionary example.
Chapter 20
The Awakening of Rollo Podmarsh
The Oldest Member tells the story of Rollo Podmarsh, a coddled young man who lives under his mother's overprotective care. When Mary Kent comes to stay, Rollo falls in love at first sight. Despite his mother's disapproval, Rollo takes up smoking to improve his golf game, impressing Mary. Their first round of golf together sees Rollo playing exceptionally well, driven by his feelings for Mary.
Chapter 21
Rodney Fails to Qualify
The Oldest Member recounts the story of Jane Packard, a talented golfer engaged to the non-golfer Rodney Spelvin, who disrupts her concentration during a qualifying round at Mossy Heath. Despite her skill, Rodney's humming and lack of interest in golf cause her to play poorly, highlighting the incompatibility between golfers and non-golfers. The chapter also frames this tale within a present-day scene at a club dance, where a similar mismatch is observed.
Chapter 22
Jane Gets Off the Fairway
The Oldest Member tells a new story about William Bates, Jane Packard, and Rodney Spelvin, focusing on the first anniversary of Jane and William's marriage. Jane fears William has forgotten their anniversary, but he surprises her with a trip to a golf course. However, a misunderstanding leads Jane to believe he has left her, and she returns to her mother's home, where Rodney Spelvin visits. The chapter ends with Jane realizing her maternal duty to teach her son golf, and she sends Rodney away.
Chapter 23
The Purification of Rodney Spelvin
The Oldest Member tells a third story about Jane Packard, William Bates, and Rodney Spelvin. Years after their marriage, Jane suspects her sister-in-law Anastatia is falling under the poet's spell. She, William, and two detectives hide in Rodney's rooms to catch them in wrongdoing, only to discover Anastatia is simply giving Rodney a golf lesson. Rodney confesses his conversion to golf and his desire to improve, leading to a humorous resolution.
Chapter 24
Those in Peril on the Tee
John Gooch and Frederick Pilcher are forced into a golf match where the loser must marry Agnes Flack. Both men try to play badly to avoid winning, but their subconscious minds and the constraints of formal clothing cause them to play exceptionally well. Despite attempts to sabotage their own games, they end up halving holes and facing the prospect of extra play, all while being refereed by the intimidating Sidney McMurdo.
