Here are some wonderful books that we would like to personally recommend to you.

We have made it easy to buy these books by creating links through Amazon, which usually offers the best price and is a reliable and secure bookseller.

(We receive a tiny commission, which costs you nothing, and helps defray FineGolf’s expenses, but only if a book is bought directly through the links to Amazon from this website.)

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‘Tom Williamson, The Complete Golf Professional’  by Nick Jones

Yet another stunning history book associated with Hollinwell by Nick Jones.

Tom Williamson was Hollinwell’s pro, keeper of green and caddy-master for 54 years. He designed 55 golf courses, was the first clubmaker to number clubs, created the first ‘strokesaver’, captained England and the PGA and qualified to play in The Open Championship for fifty years playing his last in 1947 when he was 67 old. And much more as FineGolf’s review of Nick Jones’s book explains.

CLICK HERE  to read FineGolf’s full review.

Available from Grant Books HERE  for £49.

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‘Of Peats and Putts Continental ‘ by Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown’s third book which reviews both golf courses and whisky is his best yet and covers nine countries from Pedrena in Spain to Lofoten within the Arctic Circle.

He is now fully into his stride with his golf philosophy clearly focused on the ‘joy-to-be-alive’ FineGolf feeling and the running game.

CLICK HERE to read FineGolf’s full review.

This is a most enjoyable and informative read, with the paperback available on Amazon and the colour hardback version obtainable at a special FineGolf price of £15, delivered in the UK from Andrew himself. Email Andrew at whiskyandgolf@gmail.com Normal price £19.50

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The History HOLLINWELL and Notts. Golf Club  by Nick Jones.

As the Club leadership at Hollinwell shows how to change to fine grasses and the running-golf game and become the leading inland golf course in GB&I, their captain Nick Jones has written an in-depth history of this north Nottinghamshire golf club and its famous pro of 54 years Tom Williamson.

It is also published as an eBook

CLICK HERE to read the full FineGolf review.

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A Matter of Course, the life of Herbert Fowler 1856 – 1941 by Derek Markham and Philip Truett.

The life and achievements of this colossus of golf set against the social context and the history of golf course architecture as inland design changed from penal to strategic.

An enormously important and enjoyable book.

CLICK HERE to read the full FineGolf review

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Some Golf in 1888

Compiled and edited by D.M.Wilson, III, published by Grant Books, Worcester 2019.

A beautiful compilation of essays and reviews of courses at the time as the Victorian golf boom had established its impetus and direction with the English upper middle classes taking an interest and creating new courses, while in Scotland the game was moving to the next stage with the working classes being encouraged to form clubs and expand the game to become a truly national pastime.

READ HERE for FineGolf review

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‘Open Fever’ by Colin Strachan.

Published in 2019 about Dr Ewan Frazer who started the Australian Open Championship in 1904.  Those of you who have an interest in pathology, in Australian golf and in the history of the pioneering British families who colonised Australia or who just like reading brilliantly composed and researched books with manifold photos, will enjoy this book.

READ HERE  FineGolf’s full review

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‘Fair Ways in Ashdown Forest‘  by Colin Strachan.

Published in 2013 and available for £30 from the Royal Ashdown Golf Club. Write to adamriddle@royalashdown.co.uk

READ HERE the critical FineGolf review.

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‘ The Meaning of Golf ‘ by Craig Morrison.

First published as an eBook in 2017 and then updated came out as a paperback in 2019.

READ HERE  the critical  FineGolf  review

The book is available from Amazon  here

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‘Mashies and Mash Tuns’  by Andrew Brown.

Andrew Brown’s second book blending the subjects of golf and whisky is a must read as it is all about the running game and the most enjoyable courses, as well as being a mine of information about the Irish whiskey industry as well as that of England and Wales which has seen many new distilleries built since the millennium.

The book is available from Amazon or at a special discount price of £17.50 incl P&P, by emailing Andrew at whiskyandgolf@gmail.com and asking for the FineGolf discount.

CLICK HERE to read FineGolf’s review of Mashies and Mash Tuns.

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‘Hoylake Hero‘ by Alistair Noakes.

A personal history of Royal Liverpool’s favourite son John Ball, Britain’s greatest ever amateur golfer, whose life stretched across the first boom in golf from the 1870s to the First World War. An enjoyable and educational read.

Available from www.alistairnoakes.bigcartel.com

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‘Of Peats and Putts’  by Andrew Brown.

You can obtain the book from Amazon or at a special discount price of £17.50 incl P&P, by emailing Andrew at whiskyandgolf@gmail.com and asking for the FineGolf discount.

CLICK HERE to read FineGolf’s review of “of Peats and Putts”.

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‘Thin edge of the wedge – a life in golf’  autobiography by Donald Steel

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Read FineGolf’s review of ‘Golf Causerie’ edited by Robin Bargmann. The world’s golf publication of 2016.

Available from Royal Dornoch’s secretariat at rdgc@royaldornoch.com  £25 +p&p

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Read FineGolf’s review of  ‘Golf’ by John Pearson. Published by Shire Books 2013

To see Amazon’s best price click  Golf (Shire Library)

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Read FineGolf’s review  of ‘Introductions by Bernard Darwin‘  by Dick Verinder.  He  offers a  special discount price to FineGolf readers at the end of the review.

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Read FineGolf’s review of  ‘True Links‘  by George Peper and Malcolm Campbell

Check Amazon’s price: True Links: An Illustrated Guide to the Glories of the World’s 246 Links Courses

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Read FineGolf’s review of  “Real Golf” by Eddie Park and Nick Park.

A collection of published, interesting and astutely written articles by Eddie Park and his son Nick, who publicised in the 1980s, alongside Jim Arthur, the threat to our heritage of the ‘fine running game’ by the invasion of ‘target’ golf from America.

To see Amazon’s price offer click here :-  Real Golf

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Golf Illustrated has been relaunched as a glossy quarterly and will be loved by friends of FineGolf.

CLICK HERE to read FineGolf’s featured review which concludes ” Golf Illustrated is a welcome new addition to the FineGolf trend”

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Steven Reid, Royal Lytham & St Anne’s historian, has written another book, bringing to life the character and genius of Bobby Jones.

Click here to read FineGolf’s book review

Click here for Amazon’s best price.  Bobby’s Open: Mr. Jones and the Golf Shot That Defined a Legend

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As “The Spirit of St Andrews”  central theme, Dr Alister Mackenzie, (some say the greatest golf architect), describes how in his view St Andrews Old is the finest course in the world, so taking a definitive stand on one of the oldest argument in golf.

Click here to read FineGolf’s book review

Click here for Amazon’s best price The spirit of St Andrews

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“Controversy continues to rage over the design of the Old Course, with Henry Lord and Oliver Gregory capturing the spirit of St Andrews as the Home of Fine Golf.

Kevin Murray‘s outstanding photography of the various clubs and courses adds colour to this exquisite portrayal of a special town that epitomises all that is best in the fine game.”

To see Amazon’s price offer click here:-St Andrews: The Home of FineGolf

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“Preferred Lies, a journey to the heart of golf”  by Andrew Greig.

Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.

Click here to read a review by John Harris, a member of FineGolf’s Advisory Panel.

To see Amazon’s price offer click here:- Preferred Lies

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“Masters of Design” by Henry Lord and Peter Pugh, published Autumn 2009

Harry Colt and his Associates Mackenzie, Alison & Morrison have had a greater impact on the design of fine golf courses than anyone else. This is a beautiful coffee-table book giving the history of their influential and successful work. A follow-up to “Creating Classics”.

To see Amazon’s price offer click here:-Masters of Design

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This is the bible of greenkeeping by Jim Arthur.

An amazingly enjoyable and humorous read for golfers as well as greenkeepers. He knew more about greenkeeping than anyone else and helped defend ‘fine’ courses from the invasion of ‘target’ golf  from America. Click here to read introduction.

To see Amazon’s price offer click here:- Practical Greenkeeping
Available from the R&A online shop

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“Classic golf links of GB and Ireland” by Donald Steel.

Donald’s beautiful descriptive writing about 75 of the finest links courses in Great Britain and Ireland with Brian Morgan’s incredible photography.

To see Amazon’s price offer click here :- Classic Golf Links of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

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” A Natural Course for Golf” by Malcolm Peake

Compiled and edited by Malcolm Peake.  A collection of fascinating essays by the leading members  of the golf industry around the theme of ‘fine’ golf and course management.  A unique inside picture to ‘fine golf’s challenge.

To see Amazon’s price offer click here :- A Natural Course for Golf

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” Confessions of  a chairman of green” by Malcolm Peake

Desired reading for all green committee members. An easy reading booklet illustrating the challenge of renovating Temple GC back to a ‘fine’ environment by their chairman of green, Malcolm Peake.

This booklet is available from the STRI website

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“World atlas of golf” by Mark Rowlinson

The great courses of architectural brilliance or simply historical importance in the world are profiled. Beautifully designed and illustrated, it is a tribute to golf that every lover of the ‘fine’ game will wish to own.

To see Amazon’s price offer click here :- World Atlas of Golf

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“Scotland’s golf courses” by Robert Price.

Scholarly description and explanation of the landscapes and geological formations of all of Scotland’s golf courses in their historical and geographical context. Learn what Linksland is!

To see Amazon’s price offer click here :- Scotland’s Golf Courses: History and Landscape

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18 greatest Scottish golf holes .  Craig Morrison’s and Andrew Ross’s very high quality ‘coffee table’ book, illustrated with John Kernick’s illuminating photography, is a real collector’s masterpiece that should be enjoyed with a wee dram while seated beside a roaring open fire on a winter’s evening.

Click here to read FineGolf’s review

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“The view from the ladies tee” by Peggy Strachan.

Tales of love, laughter and tears on the golf course.  An amusing insight into women’s golf by an American turned British.

To see Amazon’s price offer click here :- The View from the Ladies Tees

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