# High Stakes explained — Golf Stories

> Chapter companion for Golf Stories by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Absurdity

The absurdity of cheating with a bribed caddie, betting a butler and railroads, and Fisher's exaggerated golf techniques.

### The Pursuit of Excellence

Fisher's shift from scientific golf to raw power, and his obsession with winning at any cost.

## Character check-ins

### Bradbury Fisher

Uses a bribed caddie to cheat, then shifts from scientific to aggressive play to win the match.

### J. Gladstone Bott

Opponent in the match; initially confident but demoralized by Fisher's sudden power drives.

### Blizzard

Fisher's butler, who offers golf advice and is wagered in the match.

## Key lines

> All great golfers have their little secrets, and that was Bradbury’s.

Every top golfer has personal tricks, and Bradbury's was his unique swing method.

_Highlights Fisher's self-deception about his golfing skill._

> I meant a hundred,' said Bradbury.

Bradbury corrected himself to offer a hundred dollars instead of fifty.

_Shows his willingness to pay for cheating._

> I can lick you any time we start.

I can beat you whenever we play.

_Bott's overconfidence before the match._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/high-stakes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/golf_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters