The Anatomy of a Golf Course: The Art of Golf Architecture

I recently purchased this book, and since doing so, I have seen my scores go down. As a recent college grad, I had a lot of time to play golf this summer, and this book, with Doak's insights into how courses are not only set up to penalize the player, but to help them, can assist you into understanding certain aspects of the wonderful game that we refer to as golf. The diagrams and drawings make it easy to understand what is being described in the pages, and he also does a good job by making the book readable for those with little to/no knowledge of the game of golf. If you enjoy golf, and you want to both understand the courses you play on and lower your scores, than this is the book for you.

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.

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.

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!

Very well written book discussing the layout of the golf course. Must read for anyone thinking of designing a golf corse. Also very helpful in shaving strokes of your own score.