There’s only one thing better than playing at a world-class course … the anticipation leading up to it. It’s funny, even after all these years and all these so-called “ranked” courses I’ve notched on my golf bag, I still get that little twang in my stomach and spring in my step when the countdown begins to seeing a new course filled with hyperbole and promise. I’m teeing it up on Kiawah Island’s Ocean course later this week. If you ask me, there are only a handful of resorts that really get the blood pumping to a new high … places like ... full post »

As a prolific golf travel writer, Michael Patrick Shiels has traveled the world to visit some of the game’s great courses. He uses that expertise, and plugs into the minds of the game’s most respected course architects, to create his latest book, “Secrets of the Great Golf Course Architects.” The book delivers 150 photographs and collaborates with the American Society of Golf Course Architects to glean stories from the likes of Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones and more. It could use more color photos – how about head shots of all the architects who tell their stories? – but ... full post »

They say the winter is the best time to improve your game. You’re not worried about score. There are few tournament rounds for amateurs. It’s a time to reflect on your swing and your game. What better way to do that than read: “How to Hit Every Shot” by the editors of Golf Magazine. Like the tips in the magazine itself, they are well-organized, focused, easy-to-understand tidbits that might help your game. But the larger pages, which allow bigger pictures and a more graphic-oriented approach, make these tips friendlier than the magazine tips. There are eight different chapters: 1, How ... full post »

“Getting into Guinness” by Larry Olmsted isn’t officially a golf book, but there are some strong connections to the game, not to mention it’s just a good read. In the book, Olmsted, a veteran freelance golf writer from Vermont, uncovers the wild stories, and crazy personalities, behind some of the people so desperate to get their names and feats into the record books. Olmsted knows the subject well. He has succumbed to the temptation of attempting to set a world record. He starts the book detailing his journey into a surreal world of playing poker for three straight days without sleep. ... full post »