Golf, as it Was in the Beginning: The Legendary British Open Courses

Michael J. Fay

ISBN 10: 0789306832 / ISBN 13: 9780789306838

Published by Universe Publishing, New York, 2002

About this Item

1st printing. A bright, clean, tight copy sans flecks, tears, stains, discoloration and text and illustration markings. "Every golfer dreams to one day play on the courses where the game began, namely in the United Kingdom. "Golf, As It Was in the Beginning" takes the reader on a virtual tour of these classic links courses, focusing on the greatest of them, specifically those courses that have been used for the British Open." PROLIFICALLY ILLUSTRATED in full color photography with most full or double-page. "In his text, Fay directs his readers to what makes each hole so perfect, what obstacles golfers need to overcome, and how the best players should play each course." 224 pages. GB3.

Seller Inventory # 015359

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Golf, as it Was in the Beginning: The Legendary British Open Courses
• Publisher: Universe Publishing, New York
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0789306832
• ISBN 13: 9780789306838
• Binding: Cloth Hardcover
• Illustrator: Michael Freeman
• Edition: First Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

About this title

Synopsis

Who among golfers does not dream of one day playing the great windswept and gorse-filled seaside courses of the British Open-those seemingly natural and subtle but magnificently challenging courses, where even Tiger Woods can become "a cropper"? Who does not dream of teeing off the hallowed greens of Prestwick or Royal St. Georges, playing such famous holes as numbers 2 and 11 ("Dyke" and "High") at St. Andrews? For all who love the game, author Michael Fay, in the tradition of his first book Golf, As It Was Meant to Be Played, provides this unparalleled opportunity to walk through eighteen holes, each epitomizing a particular challenge, from the courses that have been used for the British Open. These are the holes that define the links game and symbolize the way the sport is best played. A golfing purist, with enormous respect for courses that present a strict but fair balance of risk and reward, Michael Fay discusses each course's rich history and offers practical advice and inspiration for players at all skill levels. Having played and carefully studied each course, many of which are inaccessible to the general public, Fay includes informed, helpful advice about precisely what makes these holes so special, as well as complete walkthroughs of how players might best approach each hole. With a unique historical and professional perspective, Fay offers lively coverage of every course and gives detailed explanations of why each has been considered worthy of inclusion in the British Open-and has achieved such legendary status. In addition, Fay, who leads tours of British courses, offers invaluable assistance for the golfer planning to make a pilgrimage to the country where golf began. An appendix is also included that contains an informative year by year history of the British Open. Supplementing the text is a wealth of newly commissioned photographs by Michael Freeman.

Who among golfers does not dream of one day playing the great windswept and gorse-filled seaside courses of the British Open-those seemingly natural and subtle but magnificently challenging courses, where even Tiger Woods can become "a cropper"? Who does not dream of teeing off the hallowed greens of Prestwick or Royal St. Georges, playing such famous holes as numbers 2 and 11 ("Dyke" and "High") at St. Andrews? For all who love the game, author Michael Fay, in the tradition of his first book Golf, As It Was Meant to Be Played, provides this unparalleled opportunity to walk through eighteen holes, each epitomizing a particular challenge, from the courses that have been used for the British Open. These are the holes that define the links game and symbolize the way the sport is best played. A golfing purist, with enormous respect for courses that present a strict but fair balance of risk and reward, Michael Fay discusses each course's rich history and offers practical advice and inspiration for players at all skill levels. Having played and carefully studied each course, many of which are inaccessible to the general public, Fay includes informed, helpful advice about precisely what makes these holes so special, as well as complete walkthroughs of how players might best approach each hole. With a unique historical and professional perspective, Fay offers lively coverage of every course and gives detailed explanations of why each has been considered worthy of inclusion in the British Open-and has achieved such legendary status. In addition, Fay, who leads tours of British courses, offers invaluable assistance for the golfer planning to make a pilgrimage to the country where golf began. An appendix is also included that contains an informative year by year history of the British Open. Supplementing the text is a wealth of newly commissioned photographs by Michael Freeman.

About the Author

Michael J. Fay is a historian of golf who co-founded the Donald Ross Society in 1989 to preserve Ross's courses and ideals. He is the author of Golf, As It Was Meant to Be Played, a celebration of the courses designed by Donald Ross.

Michael Freeman has photographed for numerous publications, including Frank Lloyd Wright Masterworks, American Masterworks, and Adobe. He is also the author of many books on photography and design and resides in London.