Planet Golf USA: The Definitive Reference to Great Golf Courses in America [Hardcover]

Darius Oliver (Author), Ben Crenshaw (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

A companion volume to Abrams' hugely successful Planet Golf, which Golf Magazine called "absolutely superb, a stunning achievement," this gorgeous book features superb photographs and detailed reviews of more than 140 of America's finest golf courses, making it the most comprehensive directory ever published on the nation's outstanding layouts. Included are reviews of every Top 100 ranked course in the United States, according to Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, including Augusta National, Cypress Point, Pine Valley, Shinnecock Hills, Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits, Oakmont, the National, Winged Foot, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Oakland Hills, Medinah, and many more.

Author Darius Oliver, a regular contributor to golf rating panels, visited every course he reviews in this book and provides readers with a detailed ratings section that outlines the best, hardest, and most dramatic golf courses and golf holes in the country, as well as a unique Planet Golf World 100 ranking that selects the 100 finest courses on the planet and is sure to generate much interest and discussion.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A respected writer, course rater, and international golf consultant, Darius Oliver is one of the game's best-traveled commentators and the world's most authoritative voice on course design and architecture. His previous book, Planet Golf, was described by Greg Norman as "the finest, and most comprehensive, directory on golf courses I've ever seen."

Ben Crenshaw is a two-time Masters Tournament winner and now a noted course designer.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Abrams; 1st ed edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810914379
• ISBN-13: 978-0810914377
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 13 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #463,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Planet Golf Review, December 22, 2009

By 

William J. Frey (Naples, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Planet Golf USA: The Definitive Reference to Great Golf Courses in America (Hardcover)

This is a fabulous display of the best golf courses in America, some of them private and some public. I met Darius when I was a guest at Sand Hills. This golf course is located in remote Nebraska. He had traveled there on his own and was heading to Florida shortly thereafter. His in depth analysis on each course in Planet Golf USA is a result of more than a year of traveling throughout the United States. The book is not a numerical rating of the courses but just a great overview of the best aspects of the features of each course. The photography is terrific and this book will clearly stand out as a gift or in your home on view for your guests.

Bill Frey

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darius does the USA, October 10, 2009

By 

redanman (Near Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planet Golf USA: The Definitive Reference to Great Golf Courses in America (Hardcover)

Expect similar treatment to US courses as was done for World Courses in his first book. He misses a few notable courses and shows a little too much obvious preference for Coore and Crenshaw courses but I think this book is a must have for golfers who love courses. Delightfully for Americans who seemingly want lists of the best of everything, he adds that to the coda of this book making for endless lively debate.

You really need both of these books if you love golf courses.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Book on Golf Architecture, December 31, 2010

By 

Alan Yuspeh (Franklin,TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Planet Golf USA: The Definitive Reference to Great Golf Courses in America (Hardcover)

I have been interested for years in reading books on golf architecture, and this is one of the most outstanding. Darius Oliver is truly an expert in his field. He has visited the courses about which he writes. He has superb judgment about those elements that make a golf course excellent. While he offers information about the two primary ratings, those in Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, he indicates his own preferences and the basis for them. Frankly, I think his judgment seems more reliable than either of the magazine published lists. The quality of the book is superb, beautiful production and excellent photography. If you are interested in having some basic information about the leading golf courses in the country, this is the best reference I have found.