The Anatomy of a Golf Course: The Art of Golf Architecture (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"It is up to the golf architect," writes Ben Crenshaw in his foreword to Tom Doak's fascinating discussion of course design, "to present us with a thinking contest as well as a physical one." Like a puppeteer willing to raise the curtain on the strings he pulls, Doak reveals reveals the secrets of how. The how, as it turns out, is the easy part. It's the demonic thinking behind the whys that makes this so engaging--and useful. Doak's explanation of the ways a good designer has to muck with golfers' minds is truly absorbing, and is the kind of information that better players can embrace and make work for them. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Tom Doak is a brilliant and innovative course architect who has created courses which excite the imagination and reveal his mastery of the art. Every golfer, from scratch to 36, will benefit from reading this book." - Joseph S.F. Murdoch, President, Golf Collector's Society --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Burford Books (January 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580800718
• ISBN-13: 978-1580800716
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,342 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have, Must Read, December 25, 1999

By A Customer

Of all of the books that attempt to teach the lay person about golf course Architecture, this one is the most useful. Thomas, Mackenzie and Hunter are all classics, but this one is updated to modern times and is a must read for anyone who thinks he or she loves the game of golf.

Also check out Tom's other book The Confidential Guide To Golf Courses.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An introduction that speaks to us all, September 19, 2004

By	T. Enst - See all my reviews

Whether you are a casual weekend golfer, or an avid player tearing up the courses in your area on a regular basis, this volume could be called the user's manual for any of them.

Each section deals concisely with the many subjects surrounding golf architecture: schools of design, course routing, hazards, etc., but in such a way that not too much nor too little information is given on any one area. As the author is an arcitect himself, there are many places where he reveals his distaste for certain trends, or presents his views on certain subjects felt to be almost controversal. This adds to the readability of the book in the end, not only because it brings color and life to the discussion, but because it helps answer certain questions many of us have regarding not only the courses we play regularly, but those we only read about as well.

More than likely, the next step for a reader looking to get into golf course arcitecture will be to start studying landscaping, irrigation, and the other specifics of the disciplin. For the golfer, the next move will no doubt be towards books like the World Atlas of Golf in order to confirm for themselves why the great courses are indeed just that.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Source Book for Golf Architecture, April 7, 1999

By A Customer

I am a real estate developer. Two years ago, one of my project called for a championship 18-hole golf course. My financial partner is a die-hard golf lover who flies around the globe with his bag of clubs. To get a cram class in golf course architecture, I picked up Tom Doak's book in a local architectural bookstore. I admit I don't like to read thick books full of pictures and bullshits. Tom's book is concise and down to the points. The book price was great. I don't mind to pay a designer $500,000 to design a course, but I do care books are overpriced. Most of the readers are young people who have the right in the world to learn a new trade. Tom's book is enjoyable by everyone. To him I gave the credit that his course must also be enjoyable by everyone. To hire a good golf course designer is understandably costly and worth every cents of it. Although my partner's business was hindered by Asian financial crisis. We will still come back and do the project. You can bet your dollar on whom I will call first!