Why watch a 1930s golf lesson? Bobby Jones knows.

Is this worth your time?

If you are obsessed with golf history or just like watching black-and-white curiosities from the 1930s, then sure, go for it. If you want a movie with actual tension or a real plot, you are going to be bored to tears. It is mostly for people who like to see how weirdly structured educational shorts used to be.

The whole thing starts with this office drama that feels like it belongs in a totally different movie. The workers are eavesdropping, sweating bullets, and thinking they are about to get fired. It’s supposed to be suspenseful, I guess? But it just feels like the production team really wanted to force a narrative onto a guy who just wants to show you his swing.

Then the reveal happens. The bosses aren't talking about layoffs. They are talking about slices and cuts on the golf course. It is such a goofy, groan-worthy bait-and-switch. ⛳️

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of How I Play Golf by Bobby Jones, No. 2: 'Chip Shots' (1931) through its definitive frames.

Bobby Jones himself is exactly who you expect. He has that calm, authoritative voice that makes you feel like you might actually learn something, even if you’ve never held a club in your life. He makes chipping look so easy, just a flick of the wrist. I tried it in my backyard after watching and nearly broke a window.

The film doesn't have the same grit as something like The Dawn Patrol, obviously. It’s not trying to be anything other than a glorified tutorial with a weird script. It reminded me a bit of the awkward pacing in Noisy Neighbors, where the humor just feels like it’s trying a little too hard to bridge the gap between scenes.

Some quick notes from the sidelines:

• The lighting in the office scenes is suspiciously dramatic.
• Bobby Jones never looks like he’s actually worried about his job.
• The sound of the ball hitting the club is weirdly satisfying.
• I spent most of the runtime wondering if these actors ever actually played golf.

It’s barely a movie, really. It’s more like an extended commercial for golf. But there is something strangely hypnotic about the way it's put together. It’s nowhere near the complexity of How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 5: 'the Medium Irons', but it gets the job done. If you like vintage stuff that has no business being as formal as it is, you'll get a kick out of it. Or you'll just take a nap. Either way, it's fine. 🏌️‍♂️