Golf, as It Was in the Beginning

Who among golfers does not dream of one day playing the great windswept and gorse-filled seaside courses of the British Open-those seemingly natural and subtle but magnificently challenging courses, where even Tiger Woods can become a cropper? Who does not dream of teeing off the hallowed greens of Prestwick or Royal St. Georges, playing such famous holes as numbers 2 and 11 (Dyke and High) at St. Andrews? For all who love the game, author Michael Fay, in the tradition of his first book Golf, As It Was Meant to Be Played, provides this unparalleled opportunity to walk through eighteen holes, each epitomizing a particular challenge, from the courses that have been used for the British Open. These are the holes that define the links game and symbolize the way the sport is best played. A golfing purist, with enormous respect for courses that present a strict but fair balance of risk and reward, Michael Fay discusses each course's rich history and offers practical advice and inspiration for players at all skill levels. Having played and carefully studied each course, many of which are inaccessible to the general public, Fay includes informed, helpful advice about precisely what makes these holes so special, as well as complete walkthroughs of how players might best approach each hole. With a unique historical and professional perspective, Fay offers lively coverage of every course and gives detailed explanations of why each has been considered worthy of inclusion in the British Open-and has achieved such legendary status. In addition, Fay, who leads tours of British courses, offers invaluable assistance for the golfer planning to make a pilgrimage to the country where golf began. Anappendix is also included that contains an informative year by year history of the British Open. Supplementing the text is a wealth of newly commissioned photographs by Michael Freeman.