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Carlyle Rood

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My opinion - best golf architecture reading
« on: February 26, 2003, 06:38:31 AM »
I've read a lot of golf course architecture books in the last year.  But in three and a half pages, Bobby Jones said more pertinent things about golf architecture than anyone else.

I've read books by Robert Hunter, Alister Mackenzie, George Thomas, A.W. Tillinghast--you name it.  But Jones not only makes some great points, he does so more succinctly, and with greater evidence to support his ideas, than anyone.

Bobby Jones on Golf
Publisher: Doubleday

I read from his chapter "Golf Architecture."  It's one of the last chapters in the book.  I read it and bought the book immediately.  I haven't even leafed through the rest.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Tom MacWood (Guest)

Re: My opinion - best golf architecture reading
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2003, 06:59:24 AM »
Carlyle
I agree with you, it is very well written and on point. His ideas mirror MacKenzie and many of the others; its a shame it is so brief and he didn't write more on the subject.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

BCrosby

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Re: My opinion - best golf architecture reading
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2003, 08:23:24 AM »
I agree, it is a real shame Jones didn't write more. There are snibbets of things on gca scattered throughout his books. They are all little jewels. He really got it. (Which makes me wonder about his role in the changes to ANGC.)

I hope someday someone will pull the Jones snibbets together and publish them. The book/essay would immediately take a prominent place in the gca library. Like the great architects, Jones understood gca. Unlike the great architects, Jones could write.

Bob
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Jeff_Brauer

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Re: My opinion - best golf architecture reading
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2003, 09:43:48 AM »
Especially surprising that his writings were brief, given that he was a lawyer by trade.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

Carlyle Rood

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Lawyers
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2003, 10:02:53 AM »
Jones seems to have had one of the most organized and disciplined minds of his era.  I especially like how he could look at something in an entirely new perspective.

For example, I loved his take on the "Never up, never in" philosophy.  He decided that a putt left short of the hole may have had a chance to go in if it were struck more firmly; however, a putt stroked beyond the hole certainly did not!  :D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

BCrosby

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Re: My opinion - best golf architecture reading
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2003, 10:03:47 AM »
Jeff -

Unfair.

Bob
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Jeff_Brauer

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Re: My opinion - best golf architecture reading
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2003, 11:31:19 AM »
Sorry for the shot across the bow.  Of course, as a golf course architect, I have never been subject to such verbal abuse.....

I made the comment recalling how Ron Whitten came to the writing profession from a legal background, and had to work hard to get into a brief, popular, writing style.

If Bob Jones could overcome the tendency in his profession  to write long instead of short, it does indicate a brilliant mind.  Or some good english teachers in his school years.

I know that the legal profession is now trying to reform its wordy ways.  So is the architectural profession - if you have ever read spec books, you know they are the worst offenders.  USA Today continues to extend its journalistic influence.....

I have often thought that the longer the spec (or legal brief) the less concrete the writer actually has to say.  Of as my father used to say, "If you can't express it briefly, its probably not a good idea"


« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

Brian Phillips

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Re: My opinion - best golf architecture reading
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2003, 11:53:05 AM »
Jeff,

So that's why you like the Nicklaus book. ;)

BP
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Bunkers, if they be good bunkers, and bunkers of strong character, refuse to be disregarded, and insist on asserting themselves; they do not mind being avoided, but they decline to be ignored - John Low Concerning Golf

BCrosby

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Re: My opinion - best golf architecture reading
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2003, 12:04:20 PM »
Jeff -

My post was meant in jest. I took yours the same way.

No problem. I'm trying to keep this short.

Bob
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Jeff_Brauer

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Re: My opinion - best golf architecture reading
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2003, 12:14:47 PM »
Bob,

Duly noted.....

We both should use smileys more.

Brian,

The Nicklaus book is fairly brief, and does give some insight to his thoughts on strategy in straightforward terms.  IMHO, no other modern book really does that as well.  Among the older books, Thomas is the best at giving specific examples of his thoughts, IMHO.  At the same time, by giving only a few examples, he implies he is somewhat flexible in what makes a strategic hole, not dogmatic or formulaic.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

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