Books for Greenkeepers and Green Committees — the Philosophy of Golf
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BOOKS FOR GREENKEEPERS AND GREEN COMMITTEES — THE PHILOSOPHY OF GOLF THE first article in this series the altar of 'modern' golf. That is enough to carry out their own (Greenkeeper, July 1986) listed not really surprising when you convictions' and, subsequently, books on golf greenkeeping. I realise the commercial he became Chairman of the expect many of you reached the involvement of those who Rules of Golf Committee himself. conclusion that it was a rather benefit from the excesses, In this book, he also gave short list and that many of the deficiencies and diseases that minute descriptions of varied books were out of date or not seem to follow in the train of techniques with approach shots relevant, writes Eddie Park. 'modern' golf. - shots that would never be There are people who would Such people will certainly not even dreamed of by modern tell us that golf greenkeeping is want us to go back and trace golfers with their bouncy golf really not a complicated subject what has happened - we might balls hit by wedges into boggy - one easily learned. Not a bad just find we can do without greens. strategy if they are golfers or some or all of the expensive Incidentally, I read that Gary members of golf club hardware we are being sold, be Koch, the leading American in committees, because it would it chemicals, irrigation or cutting this year's Open, remarked that ensure that they could get their machinery or fancy golf balls perfect fairways and receptive golf course cheaply and that and clubs, etc. Even in my greens are making the game they could interfere and impose memory, golf was a much 'too automatic,' or, as an old their particular theories. The simpler game and a 'fun' game. traditionalist like me would say, truth is that it is a very difficult A drainpipe bag, a few clubs 'too boring.' subject, just like any other and balls, ordinary clothes and Forty years ago, we played a discipline in which nature holds shoes with hobnails in the soles. very enjoyable game on good all the trump cards. A different game, especially in courses and it was ecologically I am, therefore, going on from summer, with a great mental and financially viable. Let me greenkeeping books specifically fascination, played on well- hasten to add that it was also too to suggest other subjects that selected, easily-maintained, cheap - mainly at the expense require investigation and natural sites. of the greenkeeper. Don't just understanding - not just a list of Early authors who describe take my word for these things - books to acquire, as many are these things so well include delve into any old golf book you becoming expensive and rarely amateurs, such as Horace can beg, borrow or steal. Unlike appear for sale, more the type of Hutchinson and Harold Hilton, golf writers of today, earlier book that is helpful. from the Edwardian era. Both authors featured courses as I have come to believe that were prolific writers in Country protagonists in a struggle with many of our problems stem from Life, Golf Illustrated and penned the player. widespread ignorance of what I some splended books. The great triumvirate of term The Philosophy of Golf. By My favourite is John L. Low Vardon, Taylor and Braid that I mean what kind of golf the who, like many of his amateur produced excellent books. golfer is seeking to play and, contemporaries, contrived to be Vardon, especially, wrote with therefore, what requirements he a member of something like a great style from 1906 to 1933. will ask of his golf course and dozen famous clubs across the Ted Ray, a winner of the those who prepare it. We can country. He edited Nisbet's Golf British and US Opens, produced then investigate if these Year Book, which was not just a Inland Golf in 1915, showing requirements have changed and list of courses, but gave a how golf was spreading from make a cautious and description of their playing 'links' to 'courses' and knowledgeable approach to the qualities and terrain written by a delineated many of the 'crunch' question - Are we leading architect or player. Low problems that still beset inland being asked to produce golf wrote longer pieces on St courses today. courses that are not ecologically Andrews and Hoylake ('the best So, on to the many books by or financially viable in British test of golf in England'). that superb writer Bernard conditions? It was variety and skill that Darwin (1922 - 1952), which have We must start with some study counted with these men and been recognised as the classics of the original Scottish game as it they approved of courses that they are. I recently came across evolved on links land and its provided a scholarship level a large collection of old Country spread to other British links and, examination of the player. A Life magazines on a market stall, later, to other habitats, some far great variety of different strokes in which Darwin, like from ideal. were demanded, especially in Hutchinson before him and Pat I know perfectly well that in approach shots. Ward-Thomas later, did an going back over the years I will Low wrote Concerning Golf in excellent weekly column. His be accused of being a 1905, lambasting legislators, who descriptions of play and courses 'traditionalist,' as if that is some had to deal with the problem of bring the scene alive. kind of dirty word, and we the new India rubber balls, for A book that is frequently to be should all be bowing down to 'being neither prompt nor brave seen is Golfers Companion (1937) by Peter Lawless - a very book to take with my records to each generation should start good anthology. that desert island, it would be A again with its knowledge is Abe Mitchell and George History Of Golf In Britain, edited plainly ridiculous and wasteful. Duncan were among those who by Sir Guy Campbell and Why not find out more about wrote books on technique that published in 1952. I remember what went before on your also give sidelights on the that my wife bought it for my course? nature of the game in their day. birthday that year. I think it cost Golf writers today do not seem Henry Cotton was a prolific two guineas (£2.10), a lot of to discuss or query the writer and photographer and, money for a book in those days, philosophy of the game. Reports especially in This Game Of Golf but it remains a favourite in the Press and magazines are (1948), he began to chronicle bedside volume. Better than any little more than blow-by-blow changes in the American game other, it describes how the accounts of a player's progress, which, when transplanted to this game started and progressed for as related to par, in an event. country, were not always many years. As tournaments are frequently beneficial. I am reminded that this study played on courses that seem to Bobby Jones and Henry of history opens the doors to the be a poor test of shot making Longhurst were always study of your own course. There and ball control, you have to entertaining while filling in may be a club history, but it is wonder if writers have been told background detail. even more interesting to study not to give readers the details. Robert H.K. Browning, editor the history of greenkeeping Or perhaps it is simply because for many years of Golfing methods at a particular club. their living is dependent on the magazine, was a perceptive Chairmen of green committees 'pro' circuits. We seem to have writer with one special gem A might think of looking up old to go back in time to find a free, History Of Golf - The Royal minute books with a view to staff frank and informed Press. Ancient Game (1955). trying to piece together the Next time, I will look at books This list could go on and on, history of the environment in on golf courses, especially those but if I had to select just one which they work. The idea that on golf architecture. Golf's ultimate partnership Continued... preciate fully all of the derive from its being, above all, ed in Elizabethan drama and if ac- characteristics that make golf honorable. cess to the game had been easier such a truly beautiful game. The honorable part of it is given in the 16th century, William Therein, in essence, lies the some distinctive emphasis by the Shakespeare surely would have key element of this ultimate part- fact that, in all of its long history, been a golfer. Why am I so sure? nership, where one partner, the no one has reached the very pin- Because anyone with such poetry superintendent, provides the nacle of this game who was not a in his soul could not have resisted beautifully playable playing sur- person of distinctive character. In the game, given any exposure to faces and the other partner, the considering that remarkable it, and, 'To thine own self be true,' true believer amateur, mobilises distinction, contemplate the Tom has to be the ultimate credo of the and brings to bear all of the Morrises, both old and young, true believer amateur. characteristics that make what the Vardon, Jones, Hogan, Nelson, While to be or not to be true to superintendent has done worth Palmer, Watson, and Nicklaus. Is himself is a choice a golfer can the doing. there any other game, or indeed make, no such choice is available Having so identified and joined any other activity, that has iden- to the superintendent in the pur- this partnership, we need some tified such an array of quality as suit of his profession.