Life — August 11, 1927 — page 23: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes golf instruction, depicting a golf club professional ("the club pro") giving lessons. The humor centers on the psychological pressure the instructor inflicts on his student—a small boy shown sweating nervously while practicing his swing. The "mental hazards" referenced in the title suggest the emotional toll of perfectionist coaching. The exaggerated facial expression of the adult instructor (appearing menacing or intensely critical) contrasts sharply with the boy's anxious demeanor, illustrating how harsh teaching methods can intimidate young learners. This reflects early-20th-century attitudes toward sports instruction, when stern, demanding coaching was considered normal—a practice the satirist clearly critiques as psychologically harmful to children.