# Self-Improvement and Confidence in Golf Stories

> Theme guide for Golf Stories by P. G. Wodehouse.

Characters constantly seek to improve their golf game through practice, study, and psychological tricks, highlighting the struggle between desire and performance and the importance of self-belief.

## Where it surfaces

- [Sundered Hearts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/sundered-hearts): Mary secretly trains in Scotland to improve her golf game to win Mortimer's love, while Mortimer's own game suffers from heartbreak.
- [Ordeal by Golf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/ordeal-by-golf): Millicent's attempt to reform Mitchell through a self-help book highlights the theme of personal improvement, albeit with ironic results.
- [The Heel of Achilles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/the-heel-of-achilles): Jopp's unshakeable self-confidence and ability to master golf through pure reason and memorization exemplify the theme of self-improvement, while his opponents are undone by nerves and distraction.
- [The Magic Plus Fours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/the-magic-plus-fours): Wallace's newfound confidence from wearing the Plus Fours, despite their ridiculous appearance, explores the psychological link between attire and performance.
- [The Awakening of Rollo Podmarsh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/the-awakening-of-rollo-podmarsh): Rollo takes up smoking to improve his golf game, inspired by Ted Ray, and his performance dramatically improves when motivated by love.
- [The Purification of Rodney Spelvin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/the-purification-of-rodney-spelvin): Rodney Spelvin's transformation from a poet to a golfer, his determination to improve his handicap, and his humble acceptance of instruction highlight the theme of self-improvement.
- [Those in Peril on the Tee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/golf_stories_se/chapters/those-in-peril-on-the-tee): The ironic confidence that arises from trying to play badly, as the subconscious mind overrides deliberate sabotage.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/golf_stories_se/themes/self_improvement_and_confidence
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/golf_stories_se/themes