Volume Two Confidential Guide

[Ronald Montesano]

My copy arrived yesterday. It's quite nice to see a photo I shot on p. 39. FTWC (for those who care) it's the same one that made it to the finals of the GCA 2014 Photo Contest. Thank you, editors/authors, for including me.


Ran's unabashed bro-love for Dunlop White, on Pp. 22-23, is deserved and unequaled. I salute you, other RM

[Ronald Montesano]

Other denizens of this modest assemblage with photos in the second volume are Jon Cavalier, Bogey Henderson, Kyle Henderson, Brad Tufts, Tom Dunne and Ruediger Meyer. Of course, we're all simply trying to be Larry Lambrecht at the end of the day, the standard by which we are all measured.

[Jerry Kluger]

A side benefit of the new CG is that the originals have come down in price. 

[Bill_McBride]

Other denizens of this modest assemblage with photos in the second volume are Jon Cavalier, Bogey Henderson, Kyle Henderson, Brad Tufts, Tom Dunne and Ruediger Meyer. Of course, we're all simply trying to be Larry Lambrecht at the end of the day, the standard by which we are all measured.

Is "Bogey Henderson" actually Bogey Hendren?

[Tom_Doak]

Is "Bogey Henderson" actually Bogey Hendren?

No.  Mr Hendren may have a photo in Volume 3, from when we played at Teugega, but he doesn't have one in this book.  Michael Henderson, who does, is an Australian who worked on our crew at Tara Iti.

[Ryan Taylor]

I just received my copy. Good to see Tobacco Road getting some much deserved love.

[Mike Hendren]

Oops.
 

[Kyle Henderson]

Is "Bogey Henderson" actually Bogey Hendren?

No.  Mr Hendren may have a photo in Volume 3, from when we played at Teugega, but he doesn't have one in this book.  Michael Henderson, who does, is an Australian who worked on our crew at Tara Iti.

We are brothers only in spirit...

I am eagerly awaiting delivery!!!

[Ruediger Meyer]

Cool. Didn't know one of mine was picked. Very excited!

[David Amarnek]

I just spent the past few hours going through my copy (which arrived today) and, like Volume 1, it's quite enjoyable.
Tom, I know this volume just came out, but when can we expect Volume 3?  Just curious, as it's going to cover courses where I have the most experience (Philly, New York, St. Louis, etc.). 
Thanks!

[Tom_Doak]

Tom, I know this volume just came out, but when can we expect Volume 3?

You should expect it pretty much one year from today.


It's possible it will be done sooner; I just have to decide whether I'm going to make my deadline this winter, or hold out until spring in hopes that I have time to get to one or two corners I've missed.  I was still traveling for Volume 2 until the end of May to have it ready by the end of September. 

[Ronald Montesano]

Whoops...I should learn last names a bit better. Sorry for the mislead.

[PCCraig]

I received my copy yesterday evening and it felt like Christmas morning when I saw the package in my mailbox!


I only had time to read a few of the longer profiles and to Glace through a few of the reviews (mostly the Carolinas) and so far the book is terrific. Can't wait to dig into it more this weekend.


Thanks again to everyone involved.

[Michael Graham]

Really hoping us overseas who ordered the full set don't have to wait too much longer for vol. II. I've got a special bottle of wheat beer chilling in the fridge ready for it arriving. Must hold on...

[Jud_T]

Just arrived and I've only flipped through it.  Looking forward to reading it in detail.  Kind of a shame that noone appears to have made it out to Barona Creek...

[Daryl David]

Just arrived and I've only flipped through it.  Looking forward to reading it in detail.  Kind of a shame that noone appears to have made it out to Barona Creek...

Agree. Especially after seeing all the love for Sand Hollow.  Sand Hollow is certainly a course one should see if in the area.  It's unique given the site and lots of fun to play.  Same description easily applies to Barona.

[K Rafkin]

I realize that Darius just spent a good bit of time traveling though the US.  Did his recent insights come in time to make it into the guide?

[Tom_Doak]

I realize that Darius just spent a good bit of time traveling though the US.  Did his recent insights come in time to make it into the guide?

No ... he only arrived here just after I'd put Volume 2 to bed.  However, he has seen lots of courses that will be included in Volume 3 as a result of his trip.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I received my copy today. The thing that really stands out are the low scores. Except for the few 8s & 9s the best scores are 7s & 6s. The scores are considerable lower than the GB&I scores. There are an awful lot of 4s & 5s. Unfortunately, I agree with most of the scores. It is a shame that we don't have more high quality course in the south. I will interested to see how the north fares.

[Tom_Doak]

I received my copy today. The thing that really stands out are the low scores. Except for the few 8s & 9s the best scores are 7s & 6s. The scores are considerable lower than the GB&I scores. There are an awful lot of 4s & 5s. Unfortunately, I agree with most of the scores. It is a shame that we don't have more high quality course in the south. I will interested to see how the north fares.

You're surprised that Britain and Ireland have more great courses than the southern U.S., the Caribbean and South America?  Wait until we get to Europe and Africa!


That said, I think there are more low scores in this part of the book because I played a bunch of middling courses in the southern states back when I was younger, just to get out of the snow.  If those courses were in the north, I never would have bothered to go see them.

[Josh Tarble]

I received my copy today. The thing that really stands out are the low scores. Except for the few 8s & 9s the best scores are 7s & 6s. The scores are considerable lower than the GB&I scores. There are an awful lot of 4s & 5s. Unfortunately, I agree with most of the scores. It is a shame that we don't have more high quality course in the south. I will interested to see how the north fares.

I kind of went the other way, I thought the scores were relatively high...I was hoping to see a bit more "blood on Tom's hands"  haha!  But I guess the book wasn't meant to call out all the awful courses out there.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I received my copy today. The thing that really stands out are the low scores. Except for the few 8s & 9s the best scores are 7s & 6s. The scores are considerable lower than the GB&I scores. There are an awful lot of 4s & 5s. Unfortunately, I agree with most of the scores. It is a shame that we don't have more high quality course in the south. I will interested to see how the north fares.

You're surprised that Britain and Ireland have more great courses than the southern U.S., the Caribbean and South America?  Wait until we get to Europe and Africa!


That said, I think there are more low scores in this part of the book because I played a bunch of middling courses in the southern states back when I was younger, just to get out of the snow.  If those courses were in the north, I never would have bothered to go see them.

I am not as much surprised that the scores for GB&I were higher. I am more dismayed that the south doesn't have more high quality courses. I did notice that there were a number of courses that could have made the scores higher if they had been played, especially in North Carolina.  But you can't play them all.

[Greg Holland]

I did notice that there were a number of courses that could have made the scores higher if they had been played, especially in North Carolina.  But you can't play them all.



Tommy,
You have played tons of courses -- so would love to see the NC courses you think would have scored well or that you at least would have liked to have seen included in this volume.  Please share. 

[Carl Rogers]

Pinehurst Resort Courses (not No.2), got very low scores.  I was surprised, as I just assumed that No.1 & No.3 were just miniaturized versions of No.2 without the excessive efforts to "defend par".  From CG Vol. 2, I have decided to skip them and just pay up for No.2, sometime before next spring on a relatively warm day.
The latest Dixie Cup courses were represented and IMHO accurately assessed and rated.  I need more rounds a Lookout Mt.!

[Patrick Kiser]

Nice highlight for the California Golf Club of San Francisco.  Perhaps the best photo in volume 2 as well.


A lot of ground was covered and I now understand more why summer and winter volumes were split into 2 books.  Loved the Carolinas coverage in particular.


Another great cover in the Valley Club of Montecito. 


I did notice a small clerical error on the back cover where it states "... is the first of five volumes, ...".  Should be the second now, but not a big deal.