# Ordeal by Golf explained — Golf Stories

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Temperament and Character

The central theme: Mitchell's fiery temperament versus the ideal of Stoic calm, as advocated by the Oldest Member and Marcus Aurelius.

### Humor and Absurdity

The absurdity of Mitchell's outburst over an apple-crunching caddie and his destruction of the self-help book provides comic relief.

### Self-Improvement and Confidence

Millicent's attempt to reform Mitchell through a self-help book highlights the theme of personal improvement, albeit with ironic results.

## Character check-ins

### The Oldest Member

Narrator and philosopher who observes the younger generation's golfing foibles and recounts the tale of Mitchell Holmes.

### Mitchell Holmes

Promising young man engaged to Millicent Boyd; his inability to control his temper on the golf course nearly costs him a treasurership.

### Millicent Boyd

Mitchell's fiancée who tries to reform his temper by giving him Professor Rollitt's self-help book.

### Alexander Paterson

President of the Paterson Dyeing and Refining Company who devises the golf match test for the treasurership.

### Rupert Dixon

Mitchell's rival for the treasurership; he plays with cold composure but loses the match and the job.

## Key lines

> To lose one’s temper at golf is foolish. It gets you nothing, not even relief.

Getting angry on the golf course is pointless and offers no benefit.

_The Oldest Member's core philosophy on golfing temperament._

> Imitate the spirit of Marcus Aurelius. 'Whatever may befall thee,' says that great man in his Meditations, 'it was preordained for thee from everlasting. Nothing happens to anybody which he is not fitted by nature to bear.'

Follow the example of Marcus Aurelius, who believed that everything that happens is destined and bearable.

_The Oldest Member invokes Stoic philosophy to advocate calmness on the links._

> He snatched the little volume out of my hands. For an instant he looked at it with a curious expression of loathing, then he placed it gently on the ground and jumped on it a few times. Then he hit it with his driver. Finally, as if feeling that the time for half measures had passed, he took a little run and kicked it strongly into the long grass.

Mitchell grabbed the book, stared at it with disgust, then stomped on it, struck it with his club, and kicked it into the rough.

_Mitchell's violent rejection of the self-help book after his temper snaps._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/ordeal-by-golf
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/golf_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters