Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Stephen Davis on April 11, 2012, 05:46:33 PM
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What your thoughts on good books on GCA? I want to read Tom Doak's Confedential Guide to Golf Courses, but I am not in a position to obtain one as of now (unless there is a digital copy available, but I haven't seen any for sale). Any recommendations?
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What your thoughts on good books on GCA? I want to read Tom Doak's Confessions, but I am not in a position to obtain one as of now (unless there is a digital copy available, but I haven't seen any for sale). Any recommendations?
Oh trust me, we'd all like to see Tom Doaks' "confessions", in addition to a few other select GCA.com members!! ;D
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What your thoughts on good books on GCA? I want to read Tom Doak's Confessions, but I am not in a position to obtain one as of now (unless there is a digital copy available, but I haven't seen any for sale). Any recommendations?
Oh trust me, we'd all like to see Tom Doaks' "confessions", in addition to a few other select GCA.com members!! ;D
Haha! I should never listen to the radio and type at the same time. It puts words I don't mean to type in my head. Thanks for the correction.
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Stephen,
Tom's book is good, but in reality, his Anatomy of a Golf Course is better for learning about architecture. Another would be Hurdzan's book called Golf Course Architecture. Both cover all aspects, although slightly differently, with Tom being a bit more poetic, and Hurdzan being sort of by the numbers, scientific. That said, Hurdzan actually covers it in more detail.
Cornish and Graves also did a design process book,"Golf Course Design" which is also good, but not one of my faves. It does cover some things others don't. That duo also had classic golf holes book, which is a tier down for me.
From the old books, I always like Thomas' book - Golf Architecture in America, which has some real insights.
Others of course, will direct you to their favorites, and the only real solution is to build a golf design library of about 100 books.
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Stephen,
Tom's book is good, but in reality, his Anatomy of a Golf Course is better for learning about architecture. Another would be Hurdzan's book called Golf Course Architecture. Both cover all aspects, although slightly differently, with Tom being a bit more poetic, and Hurdzan being sort of by the numbers, scientific. That said, Hurdzan actually covers it in more detail.
Cornish and Graves also did a design process book,"Golf Course Design" which is also good, but not one of my faves. It does cover some things others don't. That duo also had classic golf holes book, which is a tier down for me.
From the old books, I always like Thomas' book - Golf Architecture in America, which has some real insights.
Others of course, will direct you to their favorites, and the only real solution is to build a golf design library of about 100 books.
Thank you! This is a great list to get started with.
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Others of course, will direct you to their favorites, and the only real solution is to build a golf design library of about 100 books.
To help build your library...
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47697.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49058.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,3143.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,34901.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,43114.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50132.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,5410.0.html
(http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47697.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49058.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,3143.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,34901.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,43114.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50132.0.html
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,5410.0.html)
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Don't forget to visit your local library. I wanted to read Evangelist of Golf, but didn't want to pay $300 for it. My local library did an interlibrary loan, got a copy from Tulsa 1 week later.
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Don't forget to visit your local library. I wanted to read Evangelist of Golf, but didn't want to pay $300 for it. My local library did an interlibrary loan, got a copy from Tulsa 1 week later.
It's about time you finally returned the book. Don't make me send the Library Cop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9tP9fI2zbE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9tP9fI2zbE)
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Brad Klein's Rough Meditations needs to be read
George Thomas' Golf Architecture in America
Mackeznie's Golf Course Architecture (or Spirit of St. Andrews)
are also must reads.
Don't sleep on HWW's Following Through, his descriptions on golf courses/holes is the best there has ever been.
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Ditto Jeffs posts. Confid Guide is not so much about architecture, Anatamy is a better read about architecture. Forest's book about Routing is another good one, plus the others mention.
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Don't forget to visit your local library. I wanted to read Evangelist of Golf, but didn't want to pay $300 for it. My local library did an interlibrary loan, got a copy from Tulsa 1 week later.
I was able to get a copy of the Confidential Guide via ILL as well. So, if you really want to read it, by all means do go see the library.
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Another vote for Golf Architecture in America. It's expensive and ebay is a possible source. I think the book is one of the best on GCA and I've never played or seen a Thomas course in person.
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Stephan,
All of the books mentioned are great but I would also add Shackelford's book "Grounds for Golf" is also very good ... very similar to "Anatomy of a Golf Course" by Doak. If you have not read on the subject these two are great starts.
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Don't forget to visit your local library. I wanted to read Evangelist of Golf, but didn't want to pay $300 for it. My local library did an interlibrary loan, got a copy from Tulsa 1 week later.
From Oklahoma to Oregon? That's so cool. Our county government is trying to defund our library system. Welcome to the 21st Century!
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Some sleepers...
A Round of Golf Courses by Patrick Dickinson
Dream Golf by Stephen Goodwin
A quick read, The Art of Golf Design by Geoff Shackelford
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Here's a link to some free downloads.
http://www.militarygolfcourseguide.com/GolfBooks.htm
Golf Architecture by Mackenzie has been listed a number of times and it's available for download. That being said you can buy it for a reasonable price.
Going directly through google books I can't figure out how to find these pdfs which makes me wonder what other vintage books are authorized for free e-distribution on Google books.
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Dream Golf is interesting, but it's not really a golf architecture book.
Grounds For Golf by Geoff Shackelford is a good primer on the subject. I read somewhere the other day it's going for more than $250 nowadays. Is that right?
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Stephen:
I also suggest you spend some time reading the USGA Green section periodicals, particularly from the late 20's. There is usually one terrific architecture article in each magazine. Best of all it is free:
http://turf.lib.msu.edu/gsr/
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Stephen,
I have to agree with those who have touted 'Golf Architecture in America' - picked my facsimile copy up from St Andrew's in the early 2000's and winced at paying £60.00 back then - glad I did now as copies are stupidly expensive.
Additionally, Tom Doak's 'Anatomy' is a great read with some really informative diagrams to back up the text.
Away from the architecture but intrinsically linked is Jim Arthur's 'Practical Greenkeeping' - a great read packed with plenty of insight and common sense opinion.
Neil.
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Neil i would say his practical greenkeping is more unpractical greenkeeping in the real world though. James Beard's book is the bible for me.
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Neil i would say his practical greenkeping is more unpractical greenkeeping in the real world though. James Beard's book is the bible for me.
Adrian,
Haven't read this one - as you've suggested it I will try and pick up a copy, cheers.
Neil.
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Thank you all so much! This is a great list and gives me some good reading options for the next few months. I think I am going to start with Thomas' Golf Architecture in America. Thanks again!
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The several volumes of Golf Architecture edited Paul Daley are excellent. Each volume contains short essays by very knowledgeable contributors, often beautifully illustrated, on all sorts of aspects of the subject from the very specific to the general. Wonderful browsing when you have a few spare minutes.
The Life and Works of Dr Alister MacKenzie by Doak/Scott/Haddock is a must read, especially given MacK's worldwide influence.
Golf's Magnificent Challenge by Robert Trent Jones is worth a read. He's not greatly loved on GCA but, for better or for worse, he did influence the course of GCA in many countries over a long period. RTJ was not reticent in singing his own praises - neither was MacKenzie for that matter. But many of the stories he has to tell and the insight he gives into his philosophy should not be overlooked.
Nicklaus, RTJ 2, Fazio have also written architecture books. Even if their designs are not necessarily to our taste we should read them before condemning. There's plenty to think about.
It's worth getting a copy of The Architects of Golf (Cornish and Whitten) if only to have their huge lists of courses and designers that form the appendix. The lists are not without errors, but nothing else comes close to such a knowledge bank.
Darwin and Rowntree's Golf Courses of the British Isles is beautifully written, but there's not much about architecture as such, and most of the courses have been significantly changed since publication. It's available inexpensively in facsimile.
Hoylake - A history of the Links by Anthony Shone gives a comprehensive account of the development of the course over nearly a century and a half.
Classic Golf Links of Great Britain and Ireland by Donald Steel is very informative, particularly as Donald was not only a fine player and classy golf writer but also himself an architect of note. It is 20 years old, but little has changed since it was first published.
British Golf Links by Horace Hutchinson is a classic, published in 1897. Daniel Wexler produced a facsimile edition a few years ago and added a very interesting afterword, telling us what has happened to these courses and clubs in the years since then. It is not cheap, but it ought to be on the library shelves of anyone interested in the subject.
The definitive guide to the Hotchkin Course, Woodhall Spa by Richard Latham is an extraordinary account of the development of the course over a century with a blow-by-blow account of the placing of pretty well every single bunker. Eric Hepworth's photographs are stupendous, the graphics terrific. Unfortunately the text needs a good editor, but the book is a feast for the eyes.
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Brad Klein's Rough Meditations needs to be read
George Thomas' Golf Architecture in America
Mackeznie's Golf Course Architecture (or Spirit of St. Andrews)
are also must reads.
Don't sleep on HWW's Following Through, his descriptions on golf courses/holes is the best there has ever been.
The Golden Age of Golf Design by Geoff Shackelford is an excellent book too. Not strictly about design itself but a great history of GCA. Highly recommend it.
Anatomy of a Golf Course by Doak is great too.
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Grounds For Golf by Geoff Shackelford is a good primer on the subject. I read somewhere the other day it's going for more than $250 nowadays. Is that right?
Used "good" condition copies start at $21 via AbeBooks.com and Amazon. It goes up from there...
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Shackelford&sortby=17&sts=t&tn=grounds+for+golf&x=69&y=13 (http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Shackelford&sortby=17&sts=t&tn=grounds+for+golf&x=69&y=13)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/031227808X/ref=tmm_hrd_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/031227808X/ref=tmm_hrd_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used)
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I have always enjoyed Wethered & Simpson's "The Architectural Side of Golf". Along with Thomas' book, it is a wonderful volume from the Golden Age. Anything by Max Behr is thought provoking but it can be a little obtuse.
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You can't beat "Golf Architecture" by Dr. Alistair Mackenzie, for free, at
http://www.militarygolfcourseguide.com/golfbooks/Golf_architecture.pdf (http://www.militarygolfcourseguide.com/golfbooks/Golf_architecture.pdf)
Best part? it is free.
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There have been several good books mentioned - especially Steel's Golf Links of GB&I. I would also add five more:
The Evangelist of Golf by Bahto
ANGC by Byrdy
St Andrews:The Evolution of TOC by Macpherson
Golden Age of Golf Design by Shackelford
World Atlas of Golf Revised 2005 edition (imo the best) edited by Rowlinson
Ciao
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Another vote for Golf Architecture in America. It's expensive and ebay is a possible source. I think the book is one of the best on GCA and I've never played or seen a Thomas course in person.
Get the Sleeping Bear Press version. The original is off the charts expensive but I am still looking for one in every used bookstore I'm in.
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Dream Golf is interesting, but it's not really a golf architecture book.
Grounds For Golf by Geoff Shackelford is a good primer on the subject. I read somewhere the other day it's going for more than $250 nowadays. Is that right?
Scott...Dream Golf may not be a book solely dedicated to discussing golf course architecture concepts and ideas, but it is one of the very best practical application books on how the application of architecture, construction, and business models work in the real world. A must read for anyone who is serious about seeing concepts become reality.
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Dream Golf is interesting, but it's not really a golf architecture book.
Grounds For Golf by Geoff Shackelford is a good primer on the subject. I read somewhere the other day it's going for more than $250 nowadays. Is that right?
Then why do the architects on this site constantly lecture us armchairs that golf architecture means the permitting process and the whole shebang?
I say Dream Golf is good.
Better than that snoozer Strawn's book.
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Don't forget Jim Finnegans " Where Golf is Great" part travel and part architecture, well maybe more travel. However the photos of some of the great holes over there are worth the purchase price. A good book.
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All excellent suggestions.
One overlooked by most is Favourite Holes By Design: The Architect's Choice by Paul Daley. It features holes and essays chosen by today's architects - even a few guys who post on here. :)
You can't go wrong with anything by Paul Daley, Geoff Shackelford or Tom Doak.
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Grounds For Golf by Geoff Shackelford is a good primer on the subject. I read somewhere the other day it's going for more than $250 nowadays. Is that right?
Used "good" condition copies start at $21 via AbeBooks.com and Amazon. It goes up from there...
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Shackelford&sortby=17&sts=t&tn=grounds+for+golf&x=69&y=13 (http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Shackelford&sortby=17&sts=t&tn=grounds+for+golf&x=69&y=13)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/031227808X/ref=tmm_hrd_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/031227808X/ref=tmm_hrd_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used)
Thanks for the recommendation and link! Just ordered that $21 copy! :)
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For researching the spread of golf in the U.S., I'd also recommend Stuart Bendelow's biography about his Grandfather, "Tom Bendelow, The Johnny Appleseed of Golf" and Chris Clouser's, "Midwest Associate". Both Stuart and Chris have contributed posts on GCA.com in the past. And, "The Scrap Book of Old Tom Morris" is a good one to have, particularly if you want to follow any of Melvyn's posts. Be mindful that when you start buying golf books, it gets to be quite obsessive and expensive. ;) ;D
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A 1994 first edition of Tom's Confidential Guide is now up for bid on Old Sports Auction with 5 days remaining. There have been 6 bids . High bid so far is 350 pounds. By the way, not my book. Just thought I would give my brothers in arms a heads up.