Methods of Early Golf Architecture: The Selected Writings of Alister MacKenzie, H.S. Colt, and A.W. Tillinghast

by Alister Mackenzie, H.S. Colt, A.W. Tillinghast

Methods of Early Golf Architecture features selected writings from 19th century architects Alister MacKenzie, H.S. Colt, and A.W. Tillinghast. With precision and detail, these prominent architects discuss each element of golf course design, and no detail is left untouched. Methods of Early Golf Architecture • Characteristics of a Golf Architect • Psychology of Design • Deciding Where to Build • The Design Process • Utilizing Natural Features • Teeing Grounds • Through the Green • Hazards • Greens and Greenkeeping • Ideal Holes • The Construction Process • Overseeing Construction Characteristics of a Golf Architect “He should, above all, have a sense of proportion and be able to come to a prompt decision as to what is the greatest good to the greatest number.” – Alister MacKenzie Psychology of Design “The designer of a course should start off on his work in a sympathetic frame of mind for the weak, and at the same time be as severe as he likes with the first-class player.” – H.S. Colt The Design Process “The course should be so interesting that even the plus man is constantly stimulated to improve his game in attempting shots he has hitherto been unable to play.” – Alister MacKenzie Greens and Greenkeeping “The plagues of Egypt seem but slight evils in comparison with the trials sometimes experienced by the keen and anxious greenkeeper.” – H.S. Colt

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2013

About the author

B. 1870

Reviews

[Craig LeVasseur · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a shockingly thin book. When I opened it I hard a hard time believing it was even worth publishing, like they should have combined the two volumes or something. Most of this book should be attributed to MacKenzie and Colt, as there isn't really a lot of contribution from Tillinghast, in my opinion. A lot of the material wasn't that interesting either, to be honest. The most fascinating thing to me was how much at length that MacKenzie and Colt could each go on about turf, specifically as it pertains to the site selection process and the construction/grow-in process. They had a lot to say about the type of soil a course is built on, how to drain it, how to fertilize it, etc. I listen to a lot of podcasts and read material by modern architects, and I've never hard them discuss turf in the way MacKenzie and Colt do in this book. It makes me wonder if that is due to different methods used today, or if turf knowledge is not as integral to the job of the modern architect, or what.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro to golf course design. Even found myself reading about turn-of-the-last-century techniques for fertilizing courses. Really remarkable reading how committed classic course designers were to creating golf that was fun for players of all reasonable skill levels, comparing that attitude to the hostility golf has generally shown the poorer player over the past 50 years.

[Gonzaga Escauriaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The comments made, more than 60 years ago,by this three Architectures of golf are still updated.

It is incredible but true. Common sense last forever.

[Steven Wyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick easy study

Nicely condensed writings of the founders of golf architecture. Quick,easy read, well worth the effort for all golf architecture students.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is OK, publisher combined selected writings of Mackenzie, Colt, Tillinghast. There are many better better books on golf architecture. It is a good supplement to the study of GCA.