Life, 1927-04-21 · page 29 of 39
Life — April 21, 1927 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **golf ball advertisement** for Spalding's Kro-Flite brand, using humor and celebrity endorsement rather than straightforward sales pitch. **The "Satire":** The page features two fictional golfers—Joe Dumphreys (a terrible player who takes 23 strokes on one hole) and Bruce MacAllister (an excellent player)—humorously praising the same product. The joke is that Kro-Flite balls are so durable they withstand even the worst golfer's abuse and perform equally well for skilled players. **Key Selling Points:** - Vulcanized cover resistant to damage - Consistent distance performance (tested by machines) - 72-hole guarantee - Price: 75 cents each **Historical Context:** This appears to be 1920s-era advertising that uses gentle, self-deprecating humor about golf rather than direct claims. The cartoon style and celebrity endorsement format were standard advertising techniques of the period. The emphasis on durability reflects manufacturing innovation as a competitive advantage. The advertisement effectively argues the ball's value applies to golfers of all skill levels.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
[JOE DUMPHREYS ]} [ BRUCE MAcALLISTER ] Both sing the praises of Kro-Flite Joe Dumphreys gets more golf out of a ball in one round than any other living golfer. He has been known to take 23 strokes onone hole—all of them topped except thelast putt, which was conceded. He likes the Spalding Kro-Flite because he cannot cut the cover. Not even the Spalding guillotine can cut it— and that knife hits it a wallop far harder than Joe's might- iest swing. In fact, the Kro-Flite is the only ball the guillotine can’t lay wide open. The worst it has ever done to a Kro-Flite is to dent it very slightly. The Kro-Flite cover is so tough because Spalding, by an exclusive process, has succeeded in vulcanizing it. This gives it an unusual resiliency. Theresult is that this cover is shock- absorbingratherthanshock-resisting. Itresponds to a blow with greater dis- tance and a sweeter feel off the face of the club. It never feels woodeny, yet itis the toughest cover ever buile. Guaranteed 1777 Bruce MacAllister has a larger collection of cups than a tea-room. His handicap is two. He hits the longest ball in the club. But he has never found a ball he can drive farther than Kro-Flite. The Spalding driving machines bear Bruce out in this. These machines hit every ball with exactly the same force. Thousands of balls have been tested with them, in all kinds of weather, under every condition which could affect the distance of a golf ball. The result is always the same. The Spalding Kro-Flites give as great or greater distance than any other make of ball—foreign or domestic. Every Kro-Flite is guaranteed for 72 holes of play. Unless it is lost, it will last longer than that, for it is virtually inde- structible. Play Kro-Flite for dis- tance, for durability, and for a re- markable controllability on and near the green. Your professional or sports dealer can supply you. 111 aay) faa Ef en i Qa7g474 fafa a 123277 We absolutely guarantee replacement of any Kro-Flite Ball which is cut through or becomes unplayable from any cause in 72 holes of play. A. G. Spatpino & Bros. 105 Nassau Street, New York City FREE—Please send me your booklet ‘‘Points about Golf Balls most golfers do not know.” comicbooks.com