Poems on Golf

A charismatic blend of sport and verse, this collection opens with an astonishing roll‑call of early 18th‑century patrons—advocates, writers, dentists, and merchants—whose names set the scene for a literary celebration of the game. The first poem, “The Goff,” immediately lifts the reader onto a sun‑drenched green where heroic figures swing ash clubs and invoke the mythical Golfinia, goddess of the fairway. Through lively couplets the poet paints vivid match‑ups, from the fierce Castalio to the mighty Biggar, while sprinkling classical allusions and gentle humor throughout.

The work continues to treat golf as both a physical contest and a rite of communion with nature, weaving together references to Scottish chiefs, dryads, and the rustle of pine‑shaded fairways. Its language swings between grand epic tones and intimate, almost conversational lines, inviting listeners to feel the thwack of a perfect drive and the quiet reverence of a well‑tended green. The result is a charming portrait of a pastime that, even centuries ago, inspired poetry, camaraderie, and a touch of mythic wonder.