Enchanted Golf Clubs

Jacky Gore proclaims himself to be "the greatest living sportsman," adept at everything from polo to cricket to rugby. But he has never tried golf, and it becomes his Waterloo. He makes a bet with the reigning Open Champion: that the winner of a match between the two of them (to be held in one week's time) wins the right to propose to the rich, beautiful, witty American woman, Katherine Gunter. The champion doesn't quite know what to make of this, but he goes along.

Before you can say "divot," Jacky Gore has traveled to the beautiful Scottish course of Saint Magnus, and begun his instruction in the game, coached by Mr. Kirkintulloch, the grumpiest, rudest Scottish pro on record. Kirkintulloch's gruff ministrations bring no improvement whatsoever in Gore's hopeless game. Gore takes to practicing his putts and drives inside his hotel room-to the astonishment and annoyance of the other guests. The night before match day, Gore is visited by the ghost of a centuries-dead Scottish cardinal, who has a vendetta against a long-dead relative of Gore's opponent. Hoping to have his revenge, this ghost bestows upon Gore a set of gnarled ancient clubs-which are infallible. One cannot miss a drive or a putt. They are truly remarkable, and indeed are exactly what our hapless Jacky Gore needs. He hesitates to use them-being underneath all his pompousness still something of an honorable sportsman.

But when the champion begins to drub him soundly, when the crowd ridicules him, when bets have been laid and all seems against him, Gore succumbs to the lure of infallibility. Just how the match ends, and how Ms. Gunter decides, is the sublime reward for readers of this splendid, unforgettable golf novel.

[Note: First published in England in 1902 as The Haunted Major, this book's first U.S. publication was in 1920 as The Enchanted Golf Clubs - the title we prefer.]

Almost put it down at the beginning first forty pages or so. Just wasn't going anywhere, setting up this arrogant, pompish, stuffy British guy who excels at everything, and thinks he can do the same with golf.

Stay in there as I did, until the golf begins, and it becomes a good read. Then, I kept waiting for some twist or such, and none came.

Almost quit again before the last chapter, but am glad I continued and encourage you to do the same. The outcome was unexpected, and I resonated to it, as a golfer.

You know, golf is about life. What other games calls penalties on themselves?

Golfers, you'll enjoy this Scottish tale!