Great Golf and Golf Architecture Books

[Cory Brown]

Hello everyone, this is my first post on GCA, although I've been lurking for a couple of years.  I am an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent in the state of Washington.

As I've been doing my Christmas shopping I've been looking at a lot of golf architecture books, both for family and myself.

What are some of your favorite books on the subject?

[Adam Sherer]

try a blend of some old stuff and new, ie "The Architectural Side of Golf" reprint
(Wetherd and Simpson, old) and "The Art of Golf Design" (Shackelford & Miller, new)

[Cory Brown]

Thanks, I haven't read either of those yet.

I guess I should mention a few of my favorites as well.

My all time favorite is The Spirit of St. Andrews by MacKenzie.
I recently read The Making of Bandon Dunes by Goodwin, although not entirely an architecture book it was a great read.  I am looking forward to reading The Seventh at St. Andrews.  I also just started reading Tom Doak's Anatomy of a Golf Course and so far it is very good.

[J_ Crisham]

The Golf Course byCornish\Whitten 1981   Golf Course Architecture and Construction- Analysisof layout by Wm. Flynn 1927 (may be hard to find) but a great read ! Doak's Confidential Guide is pretty hilarious and quite informative.

[Ken Moum]

Of the things that are readily available at a reasonable cost, I like Shackelford's "Grounds for Golf" and "Lines of Charm" a lot.

It's not real hard to find reprints of Thomas' "Golf Architecture in America."

Ken

[Pete Garvey]

Bradley Klein's "Discovering Donald Ross" is a must and makes a great gift too!

[Jason Topp]

Cory

These articles list most of the books that get high praise from people on this site:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/interviewwexler3519.html

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/opinionmoore.html

[Eric Franzen]

I finally got a copy of "The Evangelist of Golf" by George Bahto and would hold it in the same high esteem as Doak's (MacKenzie) and Klein's (Ross) work.  

[Mark_Fine]

Lots of good books mentioned.  I happen to like Golf Architecture by MacKenzie, if you can find it.  Steel's book that Sean mentioned is also one of my favorites.  I used to give that one out quite often as a gift.  It's great and I think you can still find copies.  Our book is going to a second printing which is pretty cool.  

[David Stamm]

All the books mentioned are great suggestions. IMHO, Thomas' book is THE book on architecture. Both of MacKenzie's books are musts. Hunter's The Links is also a cornerstone. All of Shack's and Klein's books are wonderful to read.

[Tony_Muldoon]

"OK Group this is your Christmas homework reading.   I had assumed at least two thirds of you would have some basic historical knowledge of how the game evolved.  From my picture Quiz thread I see you haven't been doing your homework..."


History can be fun especially if you read

Hamilton's Golf Scotland's Game or anything by Stirk.

For those who've not really read into this you will enhance your understanding of GC architecture if you know how we got to where we are today.

[ward peyronnin]

Sean

Should one wait for the World Atlas of Golf's newest revision to buy?

[Tom Roewer]

Get a copy o "The Toronto Terror" by James A. Barclay    ISBN 1-886947-93-7