Golf Stories

Golf Stories is a wonderful gathering of short fiction about the famously addictive pastime. Here are literary classics by such golf-loving writers as P. G. Wodehouse, Ring Lardner, and John Updike, mixed with surprises like an appearance by Ian Fleming's James Bond and more.

Four little golfers spend a busy day on the course.

Ever since that fateful day several hundred years ago when a Scottish shepherd first struck a rock with a shillelagh, perhaps no single athletic pursuit has brought man more joy and frustration, more fulfillment and utter despair than the game of golf. It has been said by many that it is a microcosm of life itself—a beautiful game which tests the mind, body, and spirit. As a testament to that, there has been no shortage of inspired writing on the topic, as golf has long caught the interest and imagination of some of the world’s finest and most celebrated writers. Contributors include P. G. Wodehouse, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Bernard Darwin, Ring Lardner, Horace Hutchinson, Charles E. Van Loan, A. A. Milne, Francis Ouimet, and many more.

When you're in the mood for top-notch humor writing, only the very best will do. Dive into "The Clicking of Cuthbert" for an array of golf-themed belly laughs. A must-read for Wodehouse buffs, golf fanatics, or anyone who appreciates Wodehouse's gift for the guffaw-provoking turn of phrase.

P. G. Wodehouse’s short stories are often set in the salons and townhouses of England, but he also wrote about golf, returning again and again to one of his favorite sports. Set against a background of the unique and often quirky world of golf in the early 1920s, Wodehouse produced a great collection of stories chronicling the loves and lives of golf fanatics. Starting around 1919 he wrote these golf stories regularly for both American and English magazines, and published two collections: The Clicking of Cuthbert (1922) and The Heart of a Goof (1926). He continued to write golf stories until the mid 1960s. Most of these stories are narrated by The Oldest Member, a talkative type who frames most of the stories by trapping other members of the club into listening to his “words of wisdom.” The stories in this collection are ordered by the date they first appeared in magazine form, and are mostly from the English editions—the main difference from the U.S. editions being the names and locations of the golf clubs.

An assortment of writings about golf features works from such celebrated authors as P.G. Wodehouse, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and A.A. Milne.

The works in Incredible Golf Stories cover the full trajectory of one’s career—from discovering the game as an amateur to making one’s way to (and even winning) a major tournament. Whether a novice or a seasoned player, any golfer will enjoy recalling the high and low points of some of the most well-regarded names in the history of the sport. Found in this collection are timeless tales that enable the reader to: • Journey to the 1965 US Open with Gary Player • Witness the play of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and other stars with Tripp Bowden at the Masters • Learn the differences between American and English golf with Harry Vardon • Experience golf at an early age with Francis Ouimet • And many more golf adventures! With three dozen photographs and illustrations that beautifully illustrate the anecdotes, Incredible Golf Stories is the perfect gift for the golf aficionado.

Since the day several hundred years ago that a Scottish shepherd first struck a rock with a shillelagh, perhaps no single athletic pursuit has brought man more joy and frustration, more fulfillment and utter despair, than the game of golf. It has been said by many that it is a microcosm of life itself—a beautiful game which tests the mind, body, and spirit. And as a testament to that, there is no shortage of inspired writing on the topic, as golf has long caught the interest and imagination of some of the world's finest and most celebrated writers. In Great American Golf Stories, editor Jeff Silverman collects some of the best classic writings, both fact and realistic fiction, that reflect the rich history, tradition, agony, and ecstasy of one of our most enduring and endearing pastimes. With contributions from F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ring Lardner, Charles E. Van Loan, and many more . . .