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Bill Shamleffer

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The Architectural Side of Golf, by Simpson & Wethered
« on: December 09, 2024, 09:53:33 AM »
One of my favorite podcasts is The Duffer’s Literary Companion, hosted by Stephen Proctor & Jim Hartsell.
Once a month they drop a new podcast with a discussion on a pre-selected golf book.


I post this today, because the newest podcast has a wonderful discussion on Simpson & Wethered’s THE ARCHITECTURAL SIDE OF GOLF.


https://tdlcpodcast.podbean.com/e/the-architectural-side-of-golf-by-tom-simpson-and-hn-wethered/


If you love reading well written golf books I highly recommend listening to all 21 podcasts.  The first 3 episodes discuss the overall topic of golf books.  Then the next 18 are each on a specific book.


But this podcast should be of interest to GolfClubAtlas.
“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet.”  Damon Runyon

Matt Schoolfield

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Architectural Side of Golf, by Simpson & Wethered
« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2024, 01:54:52 PM »
This is my favorite architecture book (so far).

The podcast is near and dear to my heart because I think When Revelation Comes, by Jim Hartsell is one of the best books about golf I've ever read, and Stephen Proctor is a former president of the humble Gleneagles GC at McLaren Park where my current NCGA membership lies.

I actually did not think the podcast illustrated my favorite parts of the book for me. One of the things I love about the book is the discussion of 'technology ruining golf', over a hundred years ago, and how architecture can blunt the impact of increased distance on courses. They didn't discuss the appendix chapter about reversible courses, which at least partially inspired the Loop (from EAL's interview with Tom).

They also spent some time on 'blasphemies', which I found to be very interesting. It was the first time I'd wanted to yell back at them that in my disagreement. I think they have much more reverence for historical figures and their mythos than I do.

All in all, I was really excited when they got to this book. I just think so highly of it, and deeply care about philosophical concepts that are discussed about what the game is and should be about.