Published Fall, 1997

This collection of essays by famous golfers and architects is the bestseller of Geoff'’s books and is the perfect primer for golf turf students, golf architecture aficionados and green committees.

"The title may suggest this book is about great golfers, in particular those who have mastered seaside golf. However, it is about masters who are more like artists than athletes -- golf course architects. Actually, the book isn't so much about the architects as it is BY the architects themselves. The book's editor, Geoff Shackelford, has put together a collection of what he calls "essays on the art of golf and course design." With a few exceptions (notably pieces by O.B. Keeler and Bernard Darwin), the writing is by the architects, men such as Alister MacKenzie, William Flynn, A.W. Tillinghast, and Pete Dye, among others. One essay is by Bobby Jones, who didn't consider himself an architect but who worked with MacKenzie to create Augusta National, home of The Masters. Shackelford also contributes a piece himself on "How hazards should be maintained." Overall, this book provides the reader with an appreciation for both the art of course design and how design affects the strategy of play."
- Golfonline, April, 1998

"The book is a great ride through the minds of some of America's finest architects. From the kick-off with Robert Hunter's article on 'The Ideal Golf Course' published in a 1927 issue of The American Golfer to the more contemporary Bradley Klein's 'When Golf Design Becomes Big Business,' the book is a must-read for anyone with interests in golf courses."
-Golfweb, December, 1998