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.
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/A four-way tie for the lead includes Erik Compton, Michael Putnam, Justin Thomas and Bill Haas heading into Sunday's Humana Challenge with Matt Kuchar one back after a poor finish. Besides Humana's departure after Sunday's final round and the Palmer course leaving the rota, there's a very good chance this is the last year they will play a course hugging the rocky Santa Rosa mountains.
Anyone who recalls Lanny Wadkins and Craig Stadler's epic Hope Classic playoff at Indian Wells or some of the down-the-stretch fun at the Palmer course will lament the loss of this eye-catching once-a-year hazard.
In the meantime, we have two weird shots off the rocks Sunday by James Hahn and Scott Piercy. Both cases appeared to benefit from a deadening effect when hitting the mountainside. How, is the question?
Hahn’s 143-yard tee shot that rolls just past the cup to 3 feet on the par-3 17th hole where he made the putt for birdie.
Piercy’s shot hitting the rock ledge and where the cameraman rightly anticipates the bounce the ball should have taken. Piercy ends up making the 8-foot putt for birdie.

