Judge, 1923-07-07 · page 12 of 36
Judge — July 7, 1923 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Told at the 19th Hole" - Judge Magazine Satire This page presents golf humor from the early 20th century. The main poem by Walter Trumbull uses an extended allegory: a prehistoric man creates a simple, enjoyable golf course, but the Devil persuades him to "improve" it by adding hazards (pits/bunkers). The moral is that life's complications stem from tampering with simplicity—a common satirical theme about modern society's obsession with "progress." The surrounding quips mock golfers' common complaints and pretensions: excuses about weight-shifting during swings, women golfers' ankles being criticized, the futility of trying to play while distracted, and the universal failure to hit decent scores despite improvements. The cartoons humorously depict golfers in various states of frustration. The overall satire targets not politics but golf culture itself—the sport's growing popularity and how it transforms amateurs into obsessive, anxiety-ridden players constantly seeking improvement while paradoxically performing worse.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ph W. E, Burton. Portage Country Club, Akron, O. “I suppose nothing but an act of Providence will ever get me out of this mess I’ve got into, caddy?” “Um! I wisht I had yer faith!” TOLD AT THE roth HOLE as in prehistoric ages That a prehistoric man Planned a golf course first, built it On a very simple plan. He had fashioned things so sweetly He could play from tee to green Boldly, without ever finding Any trouble in between. Fairways were all broad and level And a man could hook and slice Without running to an expert For some highly paid advice. Thus the player's life was pleasant Till the devil chanced to stray Idly out upon that golf course, Where he watched the mode of play. And he said in silky accents: “This is what one might expect From an amateur, but I, sir, Am a golfing architect.” And the man, poor fool, he listened And he thought it would be nice To improve the thing he'd fashioned By professional advice. “T wag satisfied,” he murmured, “With my simple little game, But I'll only be too honored If you will improve the same.” Said the devil, “No game's perfect Till I have a hand in it And—a custom of my country— I shall merely add the pit.” From that time the worried golfer, And his sons forever more, Played the game in trepidation— Never got a decent score. So in life we battle gaily, Little caring where we hit, Shooting pars and birdies daily— Till the devil adds the pit. and by Walter Trumbull H, LASSIE, with the pansy eyes, Although he used his best endeavor And foolish persons called him wis With you around no man could ever Keep his attention on the ball And yet there is this thing about you: With you one can’t play golf at all, But it’s no fun to play without you. + 8 There is a jinx on every links Which can persuade a ball y flit from pit to pit Ors the bushes tall. * + * A mashie shot will help a lot, But every duffer's pride Is just to swing like anything And give the ball a ride. * 8 6 They tell us that golf depends largely on the shifting of the weight at the proper time during the swing. But will you tell us how a man is going to swing and at the same time shift the load from one hip pocket to the other? . * ¢ Some of our golfers spent the day before the I' when they scrap the navies they would use some of the armor plating for golf balls it would save most duffers a lot of money. * # * After telling a woman that most good golfers of her sex have big ankles and large feet it is most unwise to compliment her on her game. + oo # Some day a movie star is going to try to play golf in the costume in’ which she has a golfing picture taken and then there is going to be an accident on the links. * * & We never could sce why all flags are confined to the hey should put some of them in the bunkers and fly them at half mast. + * #* greens. A lot of persons are not content with claiming that they play golf for exercise. They go out and prov sae “No more ipagne from a slipper.” “Well, try water out of one of my pumps.” British Open in filing the rough spots off their mashie nib- licks, while some of our correspond- ents spent the day after in filing alibis. * * A pond is a foundation of golf balls entirely covered by I wonder why it is water. 10 that and loft when I play golf I can top comicbooks.com