# The Story explained — Golf Stories

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Devotion

The king's all-consuming passion for golf, treating it as a religious devotion, disrupts court and religious order.

### Humor and Absurdity

The exaggerated reactions to golf—treating it as a new religion, courtiers' titles, and the minstrels' song—create comedic effect.

### Social Class and Status

The introduction of golf upends courtly hierarchies, causing resentment among officials and priests over new titles and precedence.

## Character check-ins

### King Merolchazzar of Oom

The lovesick king who takes up golf after being taught by a Scotsman, becoming obsessed with the game.

### Ascobaruch

The king's half-brother, who plots to use the priests' discontent to seize the throne.

### The High Priest

Leader of the priests' opposition to golf, speaking against the new religion at a meeting.

### The Sage

The bearded Scotsman who teaches the king golf, later titled 'The Pro'.

## Key lines

> “Ma mannie,” he said, “ye may no’ be a gowfer yet, but hoots! ye’re learning the language fine!”

The Scotsman tells the king that even if he hasn't mastered golf, he's at least picking up the colorful vocabulary.

_Highlights the king's frustration and the humorous initiation into golf culture._

> “Oh, tune the string and let us sing / Our godlike, great, and glorious King! / He’s a bear! He’s a bear! He’s a bear!”

The minstrels sing a clumsy praise song to the king, which distracts him during his swing.

_Illustrates the absurdity of courtly flattery and the king's growing obsession with golf._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/the-story
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/golf_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters