Backswing Benny

Several episodes of the Jack Benny radio show, and at least one on his television show, involved golf with the plot showing Jack was a pretty lousy golfer. It was based on fact. Jack did play golf. And he wasn’t all that great at it.

When Benny accepted a humanitarian award in Boston in 1955, he had a chance to fit in a round on one of the local courses. The Christian Science Monitor decided to see how he fared. This was published May 6, 1955.

Jack Benny, the Golfer, As Seen by His Caddie
By Harry Molter
Sports Writer of the Christian Science Monitor
As one of the outstanding comedians of our time Jack Benny has been seen, heard and laughed at by millions of people all over the country.
But there is another, more relaxed side to him—that of Jack Benny, the golfer.
Like President Eisenhower, Benny likes to do his relaxing by playing a friendly round of golf as he did yesterday at The Country Club in Brookline with Francis Ouimet, Joe Cronin and Elmer Ward.
And you can take it from the young man who carried the clubs for Benny that he is as entertaining on the golf course without his gag writers, as he is on radio or television with a prepared script.
“A very enjoyable round,” said Guy Guarino, who cut five classes at Boston College for the chance to caddy for Benny. “He never stopped telling funny stories or cracking jokes. He kidded Cronin (Red Sox general manager) about being a long-ball hitter, laughed about his own bad shots and was strictly out there for pleasure. It was lots of fun, and for me a real thrill.”
Then, with the skilled appraisal of a man who has caddied eight years, young Guarino gave a cold, calculating caddie’s-eye view of Jack Benny, the golfer.
Hands Like Violinist
“He’s accurate off the tee but not too long, probably because he has small, soft hands for a golfer. (Ed. Note: More like the hands of a concert violinist.)
“He didn’t get in too much trouble and was good out of the sand traps. His putting was consistent. I think Mr. Ouimet (National Open champion in 1913) helped him read the greens.
Dress Rehearsal
“Over-all, though, I’d have to say Mr. Benny was a little erratic,” continued the college freshman. “Like on the short 16th where he hooked his drive into some trees, then played a delicate approach shot over a trap and right up to the pin. He had some pars, but he also had a few sevens mixed in and took two shots to get off the first tee.”
In “clubbing” Benny, Guarino advised him to take a little more club than he would the average player. “He took a practice swing before every shot,” laughed Guarino. “Sort of like a dress rehearsal.”
Benny seemed very pleased to play with someone like Ouimet and called him “The professor” whenever he (Ouimet) hit an especially good shot, added the caddy.
On Benny’s behalf, it might be pointed out he was playing on a strange course with borrowed clubs and borrowed shoes. Asked later how he plays, he said: “Not as well as I should after 30 years or so.
“I took the game up for relaxation during my vaudeville days and it still takes my mind off all my troubles when I get out on the course. It’s my only hobby. I can be on the Hillcrest course, near my Beverly Hills home, five minutes after I leave work. I play about four or five times a week.”
Benny has a 15 handicap, which means he shoots in the 80s—about the same range as the President’s game. His wife, Mary Livingstone, is also a regular on the golf course.
“But we don’t play much on weekends,” adds Benny in his dead-pan manner. “We’re usually pretty busy then.”