Classic Covers: The Art of Golfing

Miserable Golfer by Lawrence Toney

The look on this poor guy’s face says it all. If it didn’t, the busted golf club would be clue number two. Artist Lawrence Toney’s 1925 cover shows us all that a bad day golfing may not “be better than a good day at work”. The same artist shows us a golfer having a better day in the next cover.

Hole in One by Lawrence Toney

Is that a…it can’t be…it is! A hole in one! This 1926 golfer has a witness to the feat and the caddy is just as astonished as the player. Great facial expressions and body language – note the boy’s clenched fist. Artist Toney did a dozen Post covers.

Stinky Putt by J.C. Leyendecker

J.C. Leyendecker, the artist who painted more Saturday Evening Post covers than any other (322!) shows us a caddy with a different opinion. We take it the shot stinks. One of my favorite golf covers was done by Leyendecker’s protégé, what’s-his-name (below).

Important Business by Norman Rockwell

“Gone on Important Business”, says the note on the door. The inspirational saying above the desk proclaims “Do It Now”, so the gentleman is doing just that. Out of deference to Leyendecker, Norman Rockwell painted one less Post cover.

Eighteenth Hole by John Falter

We’re not sure if the man in the yellow sweater is studying the green or smelling it, but apparently the putt was thaaaat close. We are sure this is from 1955 by terrific Post cover artist John Falter.

Woman in Sandtrap by Penrhyn Stanlaws

She may be in the dreaded sandtrap, but this is one stylish lady. If you love covers of pretty, fashionable ladies, the artist named Penrhyn Stanlaws did thirty-seven of them between 1913 and 1934. Although this looks like a blazer I might have worn in 1969 or 1970, this lovely cover is from 1928.

Love golf covers? We have dozens! Or if there’s another theme or activity you’d like to see on old Saturday Evening Post covers, let us know!