Links Golf: The Inside Story
Links land is sacred and ancient - and the golf played on this precious terrain is a time-honoured and noble sport. Links Golf - The Inside Story captures and explains the passion surrounding the playing of this game. Exploring the history, characteristics and likely future of links golf, this book takes you on a fascinating journey around the many links courses in Great Britain and Ireland. From the world-famous St Andrews, Ballybunion and Royal St Georges to the lesser known courses of Aberdovey and Machrie, Paul Daley has conferred with the people behind the scenes and has brought to light the unique features of links golf. The thrill of braving the elements, cunning bunkers and natural hazards such as the roaming sheep on Brora links, are just part of the links experience recounted here with great enjoyment. Entertaining rounds with unimpressed Irish caddies and superintendents' personal missions to keep their fairways in true links condition are also recorded. Yet, despite the pleasures of the game, links golf is in very real danger. As the golfing fraternity awakens to its rich contribution to the world of golf, there are stakeholders who understand only too well that many links exist on the endangered list. Nature doles out a terrific beating to these seaside courses and due to coastal erosion links land must be carefully preserved against advancing oceans and elemental attacks. In this expose leaders in the golfing world have been called upon for their opinions on links fragility and management. Whether you have made the links pilgrimage and want to revisit scenes of glory or despair, or simply want to know more about the traditions of the game, this is an authoritative and enthralling read for all golf enthusiasts. Paul Daley has an abiding respect for the origins of golf and embarks upon regular links pilgrimages to Great Britain and Ireland. When asked of his biggest golfing thrill, he answered, 'touring the Old Course at St Andrews in seventy strokes'. Paul is a member of Huntingdale and The National Golf Clubs in Melbourne, Australia, has played pennant and remains a single-figured handicap golfer. Apart from playng the game, he harbours a special interest in golf course architecture.