Top 5 Golf Reads on World Book Day
Today is world book day - a worldwide celebration of books and reading. I would never describe myself as an avid reader, but I do read a diverse and extensive range of books when it comes to one subject - golf. Having received every item of golf tat for birthdays and Christmases over the years, my favourite golf gift is a good book that teaches me something I didn’t know about the game that I love.
Here are my Top 5 picks of golf-related reading:
1. Reference: GOLFLAND- Scotland: The guide to every Scottish golf course by Michael Atkinson (2022)
GOLFLAND is a beautifully laid out course reference guide, which includes every Scottish Golf Course; from Askernish to Western Gailes. Photographer David Cannon's images will get you in the mood for links golf and introduce you to some hidden gems such as Durness and Shiskine. A copy is often left in the vehicle when transporting groups and last season one our golfers enjoyed it so much that they took it home with them. I set myself a goal of playing Scotland’s Top 100 courses before I turn 40 and I have 4 years and 26 courses left to achieve this goal. How many have you played? GOLFLAND should help inspire you with your own personal bucket list. GCS RATING: 5/5
2. Recently Read: Monarch of the Green: Young Tom Morris: Pioneer of Modern Golf by Stephen Proctor (2019)
You hear a lot about Old Tom Morris – the Grand Old Man of golf. But I would highly recommend reading Monarch of the Green, a biography of his son Young Tommy Morris. Learn his amazing story of winning The Open in 3 consecutive years and claiming The Challenge Belt. Tommy’s legendry matches in St Andrews, North Berwick and Musselburgh are where he earned much of his money and status, competing as the foursome partner of his father and golfers from other prominent clubs like Prestwick and The R&A. GCS RATING: 5/5
3. True Story: The Match by Mark Frost (2008)
If fiction is more your bag then this true story, which reads more like a novel, is the one for you. From the author of ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played’ The Match is the story of an epic 4-ball golf match at Cypress Point. On January 10th 1956, two of the greatest professionals of their time; Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson went up against two elite amateurs; Ken Venturi and Harvie Ward. Read the book to find out who is victorious. GCS RATING: 5/5
4. Golf Travel: A Course Called Ireland: A Long Walk in Search of a Country, a Pint, and the Next Tee by Tom Coyne (2009)
US golfer and writer Tom Coyne tackles Ireland on foot with his golf clubs over his shoulder and gives us his magnificent account of this four-month adventure. Starting at Kilkee and covering 1000 miles before finishing nine hundred holes later at Ballybunion. A Course Called Ireland inspired me to visit the remote and wild Carne and seek out the Beach Bar in County Sligo. If like me you enjoy discovering new courses and hidden sights then pick up one of Tom Coyne’s exceptional golf books, recounting other journeys around Scotland as well as America. GCS RATING: 5/5
5. Classic: The Spirit of St. Andrews by Alister Mackenzie (1995)
Alister MacKenzie is one of the greatest golf architects of all time, famous for countless high ranking designs including Augusta National, Royal Melbourne and Cypress Point. He wrote The Spirit of St. Andrews 90 years ago but it wasn’t published until 1995 after MacKenzie’s ‘lost manuscript’ was unearthed. The book takes the reader through the history of golf and his design principles. You will enjoy his remarkable insights into architecture, construction greenkeeping as well as his stories about some golfing greats Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones. Like his courses, this is a book that stands the test of time. GCS RATING: 4/5
Happy Reading!
