Revealing the secrets behind his mischievously challenging courses, a noted golf-course designer describes his efforts to convert dull ground and swamp areas, offers tips on game improvement, and relates humorous anecdotes about famous golfers. 75,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. Tour.
I’ve played many Dye golf courses: Crooked Stick, TPC Sawgrass (that island green), Kearney Hills Links, Harbour Town, and the Purdue Univ GC.
His golf courses: all of them are great. Perfect. But they make you think on each hole, each shot. But always in great shape. Pristine condition. Looks easy. Very green.
That is: you can tell he knows line of sight, and drainage, and if tons of people play on them he plans for that. Easy and fun and great looking for the beginner, but if you want to shoot a great score: bring the aspirin. But they are not unfair. His courses are one big BUT. You think your instinct says you hit it there. BUT.
Oh, my. I have a next shot for you! BUT it’s fun. Trust me.
To understand Dye’s egalitarian ethic: his best courses are the cheapest to play.
Kearney Hills and Purdue. Both below 50 bucks with cart for 18.
To understand how intellectually interesting Dye is: I was playing with some engineering PHD students at Purdue, and they were bringing out math instruments, during golf, how did he get that to look like that, as this is Indiana wasteland, how did he judge that wind, that dune, etc…
The book gives you insight to his mind about how his courses are always “with” the environment. He loves using what nature gives and making it work. Always using wetlands and the such but letting them be. He deals with what is. And makes it great. Great book.
Pete Dye f’n rocks, man. Haters don’t like his golf courses because they think they are too “hokey” or “gimmicky”. I think they just don’t like them because of their difficulty.