The Spirit of St. Andrews

I've only just started, but so far so good. Thank you.

Easy read. Amazing that it was written c1929 and not published by Mackenzies' family until the 1990s. Seems like it was written in the manner of that day. Some repartision but not a problem. Seems like Mackenzie had no love for golf committies where members (who no knowlege of golf course design) changed every year. Very much like the way he wanted courses to retain the natural contours of the land and not be destroyed by bulldozers. Bought a copy for my brother in New Zealand who is the green-keeper at the Riversdale Beach links golf course. Bought another for a great kiwi friend who is into the history of golf.

Mackenzie makes good observations about golf course design which I feel are still applicable today...mainly that to maintain a golfers interest a course must have variety, difficulty, and beauty that appeal to golfers of all levels, and I think this is where the books shines. I'm not a good enough golfer to rate his comments on how to play golf, but I've read enough instruction books to know there are many paths up the mountain.There is quite a bit of space devoted to the technical aspects of course construction (circa 1930) that I found a little boring.

I feel that the spiritual aspect of golf is sometimes overrated or overwrought in various writings. Here, however, is a long-lost gem wherein Mackenzie, typically, gets it just right. The last two chapters on the societal benefits of golf and golf courses are spot on. I would suggest that anyone who wished to truly understand the spirit of golf should read those chapters. It causes me to hope that there will be numerous quality golf courses built around Iraq and Afghanistan in the near future. If that could be accomplished and some of the local kids and healthy adults take to it, as inevitably they would, then we would achieve our goals of victory and the establishment of advanced societies in those places. It may take that to get there.

Bought the book as a gift. In excellent shape for slightly used-was just like new.

A must read for anyone interested in golf course architecture. Also a great read for anyone hoping to play The Old Course and wants to learn why it is so important to the golf's history.

I love historical gaming and thought this book would help in my research on the game of golf. I am not a golf fan but like miniature golf. In any case, I did enjoy reading it and seeing all the historical pictures and writing to help in my research.

Book was in better condition than expected

Die Frage klingt einfach und jeder aktive Golfer hat seine eigenen Antworten darauf, wie ihm/ihr ein Platz am liebsten ist. Die Lektüre dieses Buchs fördert dann aber doch einige Detailfragen ans Tageslicht, die bei der Gestaltung eines wirklich guten Platzes zu beantworten sind. Und so wie beim Wein der eigene Geschmack das Maß der Dinge ist, es aber nicht schadet, wenn man darüber hinaus weiß, welche Rebsorten es gibt und wie aus den Reben dann das Getränk wird, hilft dem eigenen Golfspiel, wenn man ein bisschen verstanden hat, warum ein Bunker genau an dieser Stelle gebaut wurde und wie ein Grün "geshaped" wurde, um das Spiel für alle Könnensstufen interessant zu machen.Empfehlenswert für alle, die noch länger und besser Golfspielen wollen.

This book was bought as a gift for a golfer in St Andrews because of its local and sporting interest. Although not a reader, he has enjoyed it, and would recommend, especially to golfers who have visited this lovely area.

Nice condition

Excellent read. An absolute must for anyone interested in golf course design and architecture.

Took a little longer than expected