Up to par

The U.S. of the 1950s has traditionally been viewed as wholesome and peaceful, dominated by the sober presidency of Dwight Eisenhower. Ike’s recreational penchant contributed mightily to that image, since he completed more than 800 rounds of golf during his eight years in the White House. Catherine M. Lewis’ Don’t Ask What I Shot: How Eisenhower’s Love of Golf Helped Shape 1950’s America makes interesting contributions both to golf lore and to sociopolitical history. In eminently readable prose, Lewis profiles Eisenhower the man, the key events during his terms in office and the general cultural landscape, which encompassed a nation transitioning from an era of white male dominance to a more pluralistic society. The serious analysis of Ike’s presidential conduct including his conflicts with Southern politicians over school integration is balanced nicely with a sense of America’s broadening golf fanaticism, typified by Ike’s ongoing affiliations with celebrities and pro athletes such as Bob Hope, Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones. We also learn plenty about Ike’s golf game: He was lucky to break 90, he took many a mulligan, and he was not averse to sending Secret Service agents out into the rough in search of his errant tee shots. The book’s title is a quote from Ike himself, indicating that the Prez had no illusions about his struggles on the fairway.