Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die: Golf Experts Share the World's Greatest Destinations

by Chris Santella

There's an incredible similarity between the mechanics of a fly cast and the swing of a golf club. Perhaps that's why Chris Santella, author of Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die , can be found on the links when he's not on the stream. With Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die , Santella gives voice to his other sporting passion, interviewing 50 people intimately connected to the sport about some of their favorite courses around the world.

For both passionate golfers and armchair travelers, this gorgeous full-color book presents the world's greatest golf venues, the personal favorites of renowned players, course architects, and other experts in the sport. From Ballyliffin, Ireland's northernmost course, whose rumpled fairways wander along the North Sea in the shadows of Glashedy Rock, to New Zealand's Cape Kidnappers, perched atop dramatic cliffs some 500 feet above the ocean, the book's beautiful photographs capture the architecture, noteworthy holes, location, and ambiance that make these courses standouts for ardent golfers. A brief history of each course, an experiential account-filled with local color-from the person recommending the venue, and trip-planning advice provide adventurous readers with all the information they need to chip and putt their way around the globe.

A close-up look at golf's top courses around the world, recommended by such experts as Nick Faldo and Christie Kerr (pro golfers), Pete Dye and Tom Doak (course architects), Brian McCallen (editor and author), and Donald Trump
With breathtaking color photographs of each site, this is a great gift for avid golfers and armchair travelers alike

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[rob · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a nicely produced book that is not worth the paper it's printed on! It's little more than a thick cluster of advertorials for various golf courses, most in the USA. There is nowhere near enough information about any of these courses to justify the book's title. For most, one or two 'signature' holes are reviewed but there is little to explain why you might really want to play each course.

The courses have each been recommended by a golf 'expert'. Some of the experts are renowned professionals like Nick Faldo and Mark O'Meara. So no problem there. However when Donald Trump is presented as a golf 'expert' when his renown is for cheating incessantly and never following the etiquette of golf - and recommends one of his own properties - what a surprise - then credibility clearly takes a nose dive.

The paucity of coverage of brilliant golf courses in Europe, Asia and Australasia also counts against the book's credibility.

This is an instant candidate for remainder bins. I'd give it a ZERO if Goodreads would allow that.

[Brianna Sloan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine except for that fact that TRUMPS COURSE IS IN THIS SHIT. Gave this to my dad for his bday and X’d out all the things about him 🩵🩵🩵

[Jeff Goldenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, the good:

The physical quality of this book is top notch. The cover stock, binding and glossy paper used is among the finest I've ever seen. The writing is accessible and error-free.

The book provides a good mix of well-known "must-play" courses with some lesser-known or completely unknown gems.

Now the issues:

There are very few courses in the list of 50 that could actually be played by the average golfer. Almost all of the courses listed are private and most are extremely expensive.

There is very little content to actually convince the reader that the courses mentioned are worth playing. Each course gets a two page essay from the author based on interviews with famous people associated with golf. Most of the courses listed in the book get one single photograph. About a quarter of the courses don't even get that. A book like this should have more photographs, a map/layout of the course, a copy of the scorecard, anything to give the reader a feel for the course and to try to light their desire to go play it.

There are much better "best places to golf" books available.

[Jerrod Stephan]

Would like to read this book.