Rating: 
Summary: An excellent primer
Review: Architect Tom Doak expertly lays out the fundamentals of golf architecture for the layman. Any serious golfer should try to develop an understanding of the science and art of course design and construction. This book is not a substitute for reading the classics, but it is a great place to start -- a good first book. Doak, like all great architects, has his own opinions and is not afraid to share them, but at the same time does not unfairly denigrate the work of others with whom he might disagree. Many of Doak's important points are illustrated in clear, excellent drawings.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have, Must Read
Review: Doak describes the design of several great courses. Included are wonderful illustrations of golf holes. Also covers how to improve your game through a better understanding of golf course design and layout.
Rating:
Summary: A great read for avid golfers of all levels
Review: Doak describes the design of several great courses. Included are wonderful illustrations of golf holes. Also covers how to improve your game through a better understanding of golf course design and layout.
Rating: 
Summary: This book provides some unexpected golf lessons.
Review: Golfers often focus on the how-to of the golf swing and
the various golf shots so much that they forget their opponent: the golf course. This book is about more than golf course design. The descriptions of famous golf holes and of the hurdles golf course designers face in making a course great inspire new appreciation for what it takes to play well. Each time I read this book my enthusiasm is reborn and I find
myself anxious to get out to play again.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Source Book for Golf Architecture
Review: I am a real estate developer. Two years ago, one of my project called for a championship 18-hole golf course. My financial partner is a die-hard golf lover who flies around the globe with his bag of clubs. To get a cram class in golf course architecture, I picked up Tom Doak's book in a local architectural bookstore. I admit I don't like to read thick books full of pictures and bullshits. Tom's book is concise and down to the points. The book price was great. I don't mind to pay a designer $500,000 to design a course, but I do care books are overpriced. Most of the readers are young people who have the right in the world to learn a new trade. Tom's book is enjoyable by everyone. To him I gave the credit that his course must also be enjoyable by everyone. To hire a good golf course designer is understandably costly and worth every cents of it. Although my partner's business was hindered by Asian financial crisis. We will still come back and do the project. You can bet your dollar on whom I will call first!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent subject text
Review: I am using this text to currently develop a 9 hole personal course.
Having had this book for three or four years,
I am always surprised when I re-read for review
and find something new the author lays forth for
my use.
.
Bernard Saucier(Bernard476@aol.com)
Rabbit Run GC
Saucier, Ms.
3967
Rating:
Summary: Must Have, Must Read
Review: Of all of the books that attempt to teach the lay person about golf course Architecture, this one is the most useful. Thomas, Mackenzie and Hunter are all classics, but this one is updated to modern times and is a must read for anyone who thinks he or she loves the game of golf. Also check out Tom's other book The Confidential Guide To Golf Courses.
Rating:
Summary: Golfers of all levels will enjoy this book.
Review: This book is often obvious in its analysis of golf course architecture principles, but the author's encyclopedic knowledge of golf courses around the world is dazzling. Reading it will make you want to plan a golf vacation right away! Also, the pictures are very enjoyable
Rating:
Summary: Book would be better titles - Golf Course Design Philosophy
Review: Tom Doak has written a wonderful book on the how's and whys of golf course architecture. His pleasant writing style means the book is easy to read and full of plenty of useful information to both the player and designer. The book does not offer a lot of information into the specifics of construction, instead focusing on all the details of how to consider routing of holes, placement of hazards, trees etc. Tom reviews, in historical context, many of the world's great holes and uses them as examples of how they achieved their design goals and what made the holes great. Tom does not forget to use this forum as a way to educate potential developers about the important job the golf course architect. I recommend this book whole-heartedly.
Rating:
Summary: Helpful and Enlightening book
Review: Very well written book discussing the layout of the golf course. Must read for anyone thinking of designing a golf corse. Also very helpful in shaving strokes of your own score.
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