The Golden Age of Golf Design

This book is just a perfect overview of the old architects and their design work. I disagree with the reviewer who said certain sections were mailed in. At least to me, each architect was well covered and it did not seem anyone received special attention unless they deserved it, and the Donald Ross chapter was one of my favorites. It includes an incredible picture of the great Seminole course. There is not a single picture in the book I did not want to study closely, and it seemed that every architect included was there for a reason -- their work was sensational golf course architecture that we just don't see these days.

A must have for anybody interested in golf course architecture. As great as Pebble Beach is today, you'll wonder why it was ever changed after seeing the old photos of it following Chandler Egan's work in 1929! Buy this beautiful book and you won't be disappointed.

This is a fine historical book that is a worthy addition to any golf library. Many of the photos are very rare and interesting to one who has "seen it all". My only criticism is that there is a wealth of information on Thomas and other west coast designers whom Geoff has spent the majority of his time researching for his other books. There is an embarassingly small amount of information and absolutely nothing new about Donald Ross. Geoff could be accused of mailing in this section of the book. More on MacDonald, Raynor and Banks would have been nice, but we have George Bahto's book to look forward to on that account. The book is very much reflective of the work previously done for his other books and his personal experience, but it still deserves a solid five stars.

The price scared me a bit but when I saw the book I realized it was well worth it. Gorgeous in every sense of the word. The ten or so paintings add so much to the book, but not enough to take away from the real heart of the book, the photos of the classic courses. The text is just long enough to give you information without being boring. I can't even think of a famous course that is missing, maybe Olympic Club? But there probably isn't much to see of it anyway.

This book is Shackelford's finest work. Where he found the photographs of these great courses is a question I will have to ask if I meet him. The older courses are so much better....all golfers, especially the club officials, green chairman and board members, need to get this book to see what courses should be like.Also great material on the architects themselves...Shackelford was right on with the title, the Golden Age of Golf Design, and his book is, the Golden One of Architecture books, and in the lead group of all golf books.