In golf construction art and utility meet; both are absolutely vital; one is utterly ruined without the other. GEORGE THOMAS
It’s back!
Twenty years later Tatra Press has kindly allowed me to bring back Grounds For Golf now that golf architecture is of more interest to the masses. A new Introduction looks at what’s driven the interest growth and two new chapters I had a blast adding (plus a few edits to keep things up-to-date).
The Amazon purchase page for the book arriving June 15, 2026.
Uh Oh: Belly Putter "Coolness" Factor Approaching!
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E. Michael Johnson reports that orders are way up for belly putters and even more disturbing for the people who should have banned the act of bracing a putter against your body but were too afraid to act, acceptance is now trending toward coolness!
Olympic Design "Contest" Announced...
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...the word contest probably an unfortunate choice in that it cheapens things a bit, but I'll let you decide after reading the announcement. This is essentially as was reported in Golf World recently, again, without the "contest" word mentioned and sadly, it appears not period for the public to see the finalist entries.Lewis Wins: "And don’t be shocked if a player from the unpaid ranks wins the game’s oldest major in the near future."
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Alistair Tait uses the occasion of Tom Lewis first professional win (already!) in the Portugal Masters to make an interesting prediction about the Open Championship and amateur golfers:"You've Been Trumped" Has Its American Premiere
/Jeff Skinner reminds us that the first ever documentary looking at a controversial golf course project debuted Saturday and Sunday at the Hamptons film festival. Here's the most recent trailer available. Anyone seen it yet?
Read More"Bringing the most sophisticated design team in golf to arguably the least sophisticated market in the world was always going to be a fascinating experiment."
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Darius Oliver provides the first review of Hainan Island's Shanquin Bay, a Coore-Crenshaw designed course that looks stunning and so different than most of the dreck we've exported to China.“There were three cartfuls of people chasing him at one point."
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Thanks to twobird for Selim Algar and Kieran Crowley's entertaining account of a jewelry heist that spilled onto the Village Club of Lake Success, with three "hoodlums" jumping from an SUV on the course.This Week's Greg Norman Bulletin Board Quote For Tiger
/Seth Soffian reports on yet another motivational quote (I've lost track!) for Tiger, once again courtesy of International Presidents Cup team captain Greg Norman:
“I wouldn’t have (picked Woods),” Norman said during a press conference today to announce the field for the Shootout at host venue Tiburon Golf Club in North Naples. “I think Keegan Bradley was much more deserving.
“I can understand the name of a Tiger Woods and his history of what he’s done on the golf course. But I pick the guys who I think are ready to get in there and play and have performed to the highest levels leading up to it.”
Finchem, Clinton, McCallister Photo Caption Fun
/A photo passed along of yesterday’s media session in New York City with Commissioner Tim Finchem (left), President Bill Clinton (center) and Humana Chairman and CEO Mike McCallister. The photo, however, did not arrive with a caption...
Read MoreSea Island Flashback Images
/With the McGladrey Classic underway, here are a couple of old views of Sea Island's most recognizeable hole, as created by the firm of Colt and Alison.
Clinton On New Tour Event: "Keep your fingers crossed for us. This might work."
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Ron Sirak reports on Bill Clinton and Tim Finchem's sitdown with select scribblers to plug the new Humana Challenge (aka Bob Hope Classic) and the tour is boldly planning on making days other than Thursday-Sunday spectator friendly. Cutting edge these people are!Schwab Cup Leaves TPC Harding; Tour Still Has Not Resolved '13/14 BMW Contract Breach
/Reading Ron Kroichick's item on the Schwab Cup leaving Harding Park for Desert Mountain, it's surprising that we've reached late 2011 and this issue still hasn't been resolved:
Read MoreGolf Channel: First Two Fall Events Up 235%
/The Tiger-fueled Frys.com ratings bump was not the surprise here. The improved audience for the Timberlake/Shriner's event in Las Vegas is the most interesting thing in this release:
Read MoreTrump To Restore Doral's "Grandeur;" Marks First Time Doral And Grandeur Appear In Same Sentence
/Businessweek's Nadja Brandt got the reclusive, press-shy Donald Trump on the phone for a rare interview and The Donald already has makers of gold plating salivating at the possibilities.
New R&A Captain: A Case Could Be Made For Bifurcation
/John Huggan introduces us to Alistair Low, new R&A captain. Among the many topics covered, he was asked about belly putters:
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