MBTI Type: ISFJ

Francis’ skill comes from identifying how other players succeed and emulating them – he quickly learns how to adopt the “Vardon Grip” after Harry shows him, studies his book obsessively, and even intends to copy Harry’s bolder strokes in the middle of the game – until Eddie warns him to take no chances and to play it safe. He devotes his time and skill to learning golf, but was not a natural at the start. He is intimidated by new situations (”what is it like in there?”) – but his familiarity with home turf and his experience playing in all kinds of weather helps him out in unfortunate circumstances. Francis has an awareness of how reality works (the social classes, the business world) and knows how to get by in it – even if the process makes him miserable. As the film informs us later, his interest in golf is a passion—but he went on to do other (related) things with his life. Francis is not sure what he ought to be doing as a career beyond his dream. He considers Harry Vardon and others of his ilk as “the greats,” and wants to be like them. Eddie must teach him, under stress, to live in the moment and not freak out about the next nine holes. Francis’ tendency to take people at face value means he misreads Harry’s instincts and might have fallen into his traps if not for Eddie’s intervention. Charming and likable, Francis also is easily distracted by the reaction of the people watching him – he is so desperate to impress people that he messes up strokes; knowing a girl is rooting for him to win improves his playing; seeing President Taft in the audience so rattles him that he botches his stroke. His admiration for Harry Vardon is so openly expressed that it softens Harry toward him. He greatly enjoys his success, for the fame and acceptance it brings him—and he berates the club owners for daring to suggest that for appearances’ sake, he ought to change out his caddie (and best friend) on the final day of the tournament. (He comforts Eddie, then tells them to their faces never to speak to Eddie again.) Harry’s stoic countenance unnerves him, since he cannot get an emotional read on his hero. He is an efficient, silent problem solver. Knowing the common sense of getting “a real job,” Francis gambles his future away on a risky venture—promising his dad that he’ll become “something” in society (a businessman) if he gets into the golf game. His detachment enables him to nearly turn down the chance to play against his hero. He isn’t afraid to be confrontational, or tell people what he really thinks of them, but it is rarely malicious and only manifests under extreme pressure.

Enneagram: 3w2 so/sp

Status means everything to him. As a child, he leaps up on stage eager to hit a ball, and is humiliated when the others laugh at his shot (until the compassionate Harry teaches him to position his hands). As a young man, Francis is desperate to impress people—he lies about being from a rich school and doesn’t care to admit he works at the golf course, hoping that his impoverished status won’t causes a girl to shun him. Each victory makes him more self-confident, but also anxious about defeat and failure. His 2 wing seeks approval from others, and causes him to desperately crave acceptance and love from his father by obedience.