Reading Recommendations for Golf Course Construction

[Nick Campanelli]

I'm looking for a good read related to golf course construction.  Any recommendations?

[David_Tepper]

Read John Strawn's "Driving The Green." It takes you thru a behind the scenes look at the design, permitting, financing and construction of a golf course development in Palm Beach County, FL. Very enlightening.

You can buy a used paperback copy on amazon.com for $0.37.

[Brian Phillips]

The one that I still use is

Turf Managers' Handbook for Golf Course Construction, Renovation, and Grow-In

It is my checklist for things I need to remember when I put my construction head on.

[Mike Bowline]

I second the book by John Strawn: "Driving The Green." It was a good read and also informative about all the behind-the-scenes activities including: initial design trade-offs, pre-construction thoughts, contractor/architect/owner relationships, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I was entering the golf business.

[David_Tepper]

Mike B. -

One of the things I discovered while recently re-reading "Driving The Green" was that it contains a number of nice drawings done by Mike Strantz in his younger days.

DT

[Nick Campanelli]

I just ordered "Driving the Green."  Looking forward to it.  If anyone has other recommendations, please let me know.   

[Robert Emmons]

Ironic that Ironhourse the course in "Driving the Green" was just sold in bankrupcy....RHE

[David_Tepper]

Robert E. -

Wow, the property, appraised at $9 million in 2006, was just sold for less than $3 million.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/real-estate/ironhorse-country-club-goes-for-2-85-million-361720.html

DT

[Tim Nugent]

Mike Hurdzan did a pretty good book and I heard some guy named Doak wrote something (but I haven't ever read it)

Jim Beard also devotes part of his book to basic construction.

Didn't think much of Strawn's book - too much PR, not enough nitty-gritty.

[Kye Goalby]

Nick,  You might find something of interest about design and construction in this short essay   http://www.renaissancegolf.com/selected_essays/fortyfour_decisions_on_a_frida/

[Marty Bonnar]

Dr Hurdzan's 'Golf Course Architecture' is a pretty decent, practical volume which covers A LOT.

Geoff Shak's 'Grounds for Golf' is a nice design/construction combo.

Graves and Cornish 'Golf Course Design' goes through every detail.

My MSc notes could be available for the right price!!!

Happy Reading!
cheers,
FBD.

[Jason Topp]

Dream Golf (about the first 3 courses at Bandon Dunes)
The Seventh at St. Andrews (Castle Course) - goofy subtitle but gives a good feel for the process there

[Gary Slatter]

Dream Golf (about the first 3 courses at Bandon Dunes)
The Seventh at St. Andrews (Castle Course) - goofy subtitle but gives a good feel for the process there

Enjoyed both books, I felt 7th at StAndrews was a few chapters short (published before the story was complete).
IMHO the Seventh at St Andrews is another case of the book being better than the course (as in the book is better than the film).
Ian Andrews and Jeff Mingay's blogs are also good equivalents.

[Nick Campanelli]

bump

[Jason Connor]

Read John Strawn's "Driving The Green." It takes you thru a behind the scenes look at the design, permitting, financing and construction of a golf course development in Palm Beach County, FL. Very enlightening.

You can buy a used paperback copy on amazon.com for $0.37.

This is the first book that came to my mind.

But of course Mr. Doak's Anatomy of a Golf Course would also be a good one. I thought it was a quick read but packed with information (as are most of Tom's posts here).

[Ben Sims]

I always have felt like Dream Golf was a bit unrealized.  It could have been so much more detailed in the golf course aspect.  Instead, I found it a bit like the New Testament for Mr. Keiser and his vision.  Maybe that's what it was supposed to be.

Tom Doak's Anatomy is a great syllabus for GCA 101, as is Capt Thomas' Golf Architecture in America for

More on the construction aspect and one that rarely gets any love is Dr Hurdzan's other book, Golf Greens: History, Design and Construction.  I found it to be VERY informative on a subject that I knew little about, even after reading others.

[Ally Mcintosh]

More on the construction aspect and one that rarely gets any love is Dr Hurdzan's other book, Golf Greens: History, Design and Construction.  I found it to be VERY informative on a subject that I knew little about, even after reading others.

This book is a must for anyone starting out I would have thought...