“what are some good books on golf course architecture?” I get asked this question frequently, so for this post I have created a list of books on architecture that I have read or plan to read.
First, though, if you’re looking to learn some of the basics, I’d suggest starting with our Golf Course Architecture 101 series.
You are reading: Golf course architecture books
books for beginners
the anatomy of a golf course by tom doak
One of today’s leading architects details all aspects of golf course architecture. Topics range from drainage and construction to the psychology of well design. After reading this book, he will have a good understanding of the philosophies behind and the challenges of building golf courses. To illustrate his points, Doak uses excellent sketches.
golf fields by geoff shackelford
Conceived as an introduction to golf course architecture, grounds for golf provides readers with a solid foundation of knowledge on the subject. Shackelford dives into the history of GCA and explains the basics with the help of illustrations by Gil Hanse.
methods of early golf architecture: volume i and volume ii
These books offer quick passages on various topics from the greatest architects of the golden age: c. b. Macdonald, Alister Mackenzie, George Thomas, Robert Hunter, H. yes colt, and a. w. tillage are a great way to develop an introductory understanding of how designers in the 1910s and 1930s thought about golf courses.
books for the almost obsessed
the spirit of st. andrews by alister mackenzie
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You can find a good portion of this book in volume 1 of early golf architecture methods, but the spirit of st. Andrews in its entirety is a must. gives you deep insight into the ideas, principles, and attitudes of arguably the greatest architect of all time.
tom doak’s little red book of golf course architecture by tom doak
as someone with a mild case of attention deficit disorder, i appreciate the structure of this book: a collection of short excerpts from tom doak’s posts on the architecture-focused internet forum atlas of golf clubs. Topics range from individual golf courses to GCA guiding principles. While both beginners and experts can enjoy this book, I would recommend building an architecture knowledge base before reading it.
geoff shackelford’s variety of gca books…
the art of golf design (with michael miller)
Link Masters: Essays on the Art of Golf and Course Design
the golden age of golf course design
Few have written as much about gca as geoff shackelford. Of the books of his that I have read, I especially enjoyed The Art of Golf Design, which combines the beautiful artwork of Michael Miller with the immense knowledge and incisive voice of Shackelford.
golf has never failed me by donald ross
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This is the autobiography of America’s most prolific Golden Age architect. On the podcast I did with him, Riley Johns recommended this book to me, and I really enjoyed it. ross discusses the different facets of a golf course in a concise and witty style.
donald ross: the game with long irons is practically extinct in the current game. pic.twitter.com/kpvmavvkfj
— the fried egg (@the_fried_egg) September 9, 2017
books for the completely obsessed
sand and golf by george waters
This book explores the relationship between sandy soil and great golf. George Waters is an exceptional mind at GCA, and in the sand and golf, she matches her words with brilliant photography.
the golf evangelist by george bahto
This is one of the hardest golf books to get at an affordable price, but it’s well worth the effort. goes into detail about c. b. Macdonald’s life, courses, template holes and titanic influence on the gca discipline.
robert hunter links
I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s on my short list. fellow gca fans tell me that hunter has an engaging style and a unique way of explaining design principles.
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