HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT – CROOKED STICK

The fifth edition of this season’s Upping My Dye-Q series asserts that Crooked Stick is among the three most important courses in the history of golf architecture in America Golf course architecture in America has been marked by several eras, each with a short list of courses that epitomize the craft in their time. EarlyContinue reading “HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT – CROOKED STICK”

TIMELESS IDEALS AT NATIONAL GOLF LINKS

An in-depth profile of C.B. Macdonald’s National Golf Links of America and the design ideals it embodies. The National. Two words that, especially for devotees of classic architecture, hold so much meaning. These words are not just shorthand for the club named National Golf Links of America, they carry the weight of one man’s incrediblyContinue reading “TIMELESS IDEALS AT NATIONAL GOLF LINKS”

MUSINGS ON GREATNESS

First things first – there is no such thing as objectivity when it comes to assessing the greatness of a golf course.  And objectivity in ranking one golf course’s greatness versus another?  Please.   Fortunately though when it comes to having good geeky fun with your buddies talking golf courses, objectivity is irrelevant.  What isContinue reading “MUSINGS ON GREATNESS”

NOW & THEN – GREAT HOLES THROUGH THE YEARS

To paraphrase something I heard Jim Urbina say, a golf course is a living thing, and will therefore evolve.  I find the evolution fascinating, particularly when illustrated in pictures. Every geek loves Jon Cavalier’s photos (@linksgems), and recently, Simon Haines (@hainsey76) has been adding a twist by piggybacking historical photos of some of the holes,Continue reading “NOW & THEN – GREAT HOLES THROUGH THE YEARS”

LinksGems Birthday Tribute to C.B. Macdonald

A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO CHARLES BLAIR MACDONALD Happy 162nd birthday to the Godfather of American Golf, Charles Blair Macdonald. On November 14, 1855, Charles Blair Macdonald was born in Ontario.  After growing up in Chicago, he attended St. Andrews University, where he learned golf from Old Tom Morris.  In 1874, he returned to Chicago butContinue reading “LinksGems Birthday Tribute to C.B. Macdonald”

National Golf Links of America Tour by Jon Cavalier

NATIONAL GOLF LINKS OF AMERICA – A COURSE TOUR & APPRECIATION Southampton, NY – Charles Blair Macdonald “There are no more beautiful golfing vistas in all the world than those from the National Golf Club . . .” – C.B. Macdonald For me, this is sacred ground. As a devout member of the church ofContinue reading “National Golf Links of America Tour by Jon Cavalier”

Jon Cavalier’s Top 10 New Courses in 2015

The end of the year is a time for reflection on days past, anticipation of days to come, and most of all, a time for … LISTS!  Top 10 lists seem to be everywhere this week, and far be it for me to resist this trend. So, in that vein, here are the Top 10Continue reading “Jon Cavalier’s Top 10 New Courses in 2015”

AN APPRECIATION OF GREAT COURSES BY JON CAVALIER

Over the years, I have learned a great deal about courses and architecture from the creators of GolfClubAtlas.com and its community.  Perhaps no other contributor has shared his knowledge and experience in a more impactful way than Jon Cavalier though. His course tours are at once visually stunning and packed with information.  His perspective, andContinue reading “AN APPRECIATION OF GREAT COURSES BY JON CAVALIER”

An Homage to the Short Par 3

“In this era of obscene power, the likes of which the game has never witnessed, why not strive to induce a little fun into the mix and at the same time present a true test of delicacy and accuracy?” – Ben Crenshaw This quote from an essay in Geoff Shackelford’s book Masters of the LinksContinue reading “An Homage to the Short Par 3”

The Past Brought Forward – An Interview with Architect Ian Andrew

From his design blog, to his articles on GolfClubAtlas.com, to his Twitter posts, it is easy for a golf geek to lose oneself in the writings of Ian Andrew.  With his depth of knowledge, respect for tradition and pure love of the game of golf, wandering through Ian’s thoughts is like a trip around theContinue reading “The Past Brought Forward – An Interview with Architect Ian Andrew”