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.
Some Pebble Beach 17th Photos Under Construction
/Thanks to reader Jay for these photos of the revamped 17th at Pebble Beach under construction/grow in. The green has been sodded, in case you were wondering.
The reclaimed square footage and basic bunker shapes look excellent. The final details remain TBD.
Thanks Jay:

Plenty of drainage in the approach!
**I finally found the side view from the old days and compared to today's NCGA image, it would appear the green will be more hourlass than in the original Chandler Egan design, which I wrote about in Golf World.


Video: Rory Turns A 514-Yard Par-4 Into A Drive And Pitch
/Golfweek: Fox Sports Brings No Energy To First Golf Coverage
/“On a 7500 yard golf course Rory McIlroy hit 9-iron or less into 15 of 18 holes”
/Rory McIlroy posted a spectacular 61 at Quail Hollow to erase his previous course record. It's hard to take such a moment and highlight the absurdity of the ball going too far, but it has to be done! This is in no way a disparagement of McIlroy's accomplishment, merely a consideration of whether this is good for the professional game when 7,500 yard courses appear too short to defend themselves without resorting to absurd measures?
A deeper look at the numbers should be wake-up call No. 20,391 for the authorities that the "test" for elite players just isn't what it used to be and that nothing positive is gained from stretching the "championship" distance serves the long term interests of the sport.
Thanks to J Held for posting this chart of all the short irons McIlroy had into what was once thought of as a strong test. Maybe more shocking than hitting 9-iron or less into 15 of the 18 holes? Look at the long par-3 clubs.
Quail Hollow hosts the 2017 PGA Championship when the ball will (theoretically) fly longer and the course could have more roll.

The McIlroy highlights...
Why Is The R&A In A Hurry To Sign A New American TV Partner?
/Global Handicaps May Be Coming...
/Review: Golfers Should Love The Apple Watch
/Finally! Pebble Beach's 17th Under Construction
/Ratings This And That: Players & Women's Four-Ball Edition
/Video: Miguel Angel's Open de España Ace & Dance
/Tiger's Bluejack Has An Augusta National Flair
/Tiger took to Instagram to post a few teaser photos of his Bluejack National redo and unlike his Cabo project, appears to be holding back on closers images until it's completely grown in.
But even in these shots, it's appears he was going for an Augusta vibe aesthetically.

