New Augusta National Book by Stan Byrdy???

[Greg Holland]

Has anyone read this book yet?  

According to a reader review on Amazon, "This is the most unique book ever done on the Augusta National. The Author, Stan Byrdy, is a local historian and broadcaster, and an Augusta insider! This is an oversized, coffee table, book. It provides amazing historical information and Masters stories, but the best thing about it is the vintage photographs of each of The National's original holes. The book also has yardage-book-style drawings of each original hole (circa 1934), and the modern-day hole -- so you can make side-by-side comaprisons of how each hole has changed over time. The complete architectural history of each hole is also provided."

[Chris_Clouser]

I'm about half way through.  It is a very pretty book, but there are a few typos that I have found.  Also, it just glosses over the architectural changes and doesn't go into a lot of depth on them.  But it is much better than almost anything else that has talked about this subject.

Aside from Daniel Wexler's book Lost Links that is.

The best part of the book thus far was the information that was presented before the individual hole write-ups.  At least to me.

[john_stiles]

So far,  I am really enjoying the book.  

The sketches are excellent in showing green changes including contours and changes in position of the tees and bunker changes.

I had not previously read the book's note about the 16th that  "In the late 1940s Bobby Jones sketched out an idea he had for a new tee farther left and a pond."  On the following page,  there was a quote from Bobby Jones about the 16th's pond.  

It is definitely worth adding to THE library.

[Brock Peyer]

Stan is a friend of a friend and seems to be a great guy as well as an expert on Augusta National and golf around Augusta.  He has another book about golf around Augusta that has been mentioned on this board before, which has become one of my favorite books.  It is definitely worth a look.  

Go to:  augustagolfbook.com

[Tim_Weiman]

Greg,

This book is a nice addition to any golf architecture book collection. There may be something better out there on Augusta, but I certainly have never seen it.

Nice black and white old photographs......sure makes me prefer the original over today's course.

[Greg Holland]

Thanks guys.  I'll pick up a copy this weekend.  

[BCrosby]

With the exception of Mr. Stiles, the foregoing praise is much too faint.

Let's be clear. This is a must have book for anyone interested in the history of golf architecture. Augusta is too important a course not to know about its origins and evolution. This book gives it to you in pictures and drawings, all clearly presented.  

The book is well done and, frankly, indispensable if you frequent these environs.

Kudos to the author and publisher.

Bob