Methods of Early Golf Architecture: The Selected Writings of C.B. Macdonald, George C. Thomas, Robert Hunter

by C.B. MacDonald, George Clifford Thomas Jr., Robert Hunter

Methods of Early Golf Architecture features selected writings from premier architects C.B. Macdonald, George C. Thomas, and Robert Hunter. With precision and detail, these visionaries discuss each element of golf course design, and no detail is left untouched.

Methods of Early Golf Architecture Includes:
• 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
“A golf architect must be a student of agriculture, understand nature, have a knowledge of soils, knowledge of implements, drainage, and above all the particular character of the layout which tantalizes a lover of the game and holds him spellbound.”
– C.B. Macdonald

Psychology of Design
“How deadly dull are two or three holes of the same character when they follow each other! A drive and pitch followed by a drive and pitch is a good deal like serving a watery pudding after a watery soup.”
– Robert Hunter

The Design Process
“The ability to create is to consider all the problems of a golf course. The architect must visualize the effect his work will produce from all angles of the game.”
– George C. Thomas

Utilizing Natural Features
"Now and then one finds a hole of real distinction which nature herself has modeled, and to add anything artificial would be a crime.”
– Robert Hunter

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2013

Reviews

[Craig LeVasseur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much like the other Methods book featuring MacKenzie, Tillinghast, and Colt, this one is short and contains a lot of basics regarding golf architecture. If you are well-read in the subject, this book isn't going to add a substantial amount of new info to your library. There is a small amount of very specific and interesting information in the book, though, and much like the other book, the most interesting part to me was the contrasts. In particular, without actually calling out any names, both Thomas and Hunter are vehemently against any shapes on the course that look artificial and are also against flat-bottom bunkers. At the time of writing they would no doubt have been aware of Chicago Golf Club, and likely several other courses by MacDonald, so it's hard to imagine that his designs were not included in those criticisms by Thomas and Hunter.

Having not read Hunter before, I also found him to be an amusing author at times. I'm looking forward to reading some of his well-regarded work.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing selections and insights from great course architects of the golden age. Good book to have in the library.