Golf History Holiday Shopping

With the calendar turning to the month of December we at the Society of Golf Historians thought we would provide a golf history holiday shopping list for the golf history lovers out there.

Our goal is to provide a thorough list of items that hits every socio-economic household. Plenty of options under $100 and at least one item worth $500,000 in next week’s edition.

This week’s newsletter will dive into golf history books old and new and a couple of golf societies you should consider joining. Next week we will dive into some of golf’s great antiquity shops and an artifact that will blow you away.

Knowledge

The Society of Golf Historians logo is the Royal Rampant Lion standing on the book of knowledge, so let us start with golf history books. I will break the book selections down into a couple of different categories.

GOLF HISTORY BOOKS: OLD

1. Scotland’s Gift: Golf- CB Macdonald

One of my favorite books in all of golf history. I like that it combines the golf history of the United States with the evolution of golf design and the book was written by the man who played a major role in that evolution. It also doesn’t hurt that CB Macdonald’s ego comes out in the manuscript. I am not sure if I would have been friends with CB Macdonald, but there is zero doubt he was one of golf’s most interesting people.

Paperback: $13.99 on Amazon

New Reprint by Classics of Golf: $65.00

First Edition via Abe’s Books: ~ $1000.00

2. The Story of American Golf - Herbert Warren Wind

One of the greatest golf writers of all-time. My pick here is a bit biased, because it’s the story of the golf history of the United States, but Wind’s articulation of the early history of golf in the United States is poetic.

Hardcover via Abe’s Books : $8.50

New Reprint by Classics of Golf: $55.00

First Edition Signed by Wind via Abe’s Books: ~$1500.00

3. The Golf Courses of the British Isles - Bernard Darwin

If you have read this newsletter or listened to the podcast, you are aware of my affinity for golf course architecture. One could argue that there may be better Bernard Darwin books, but Darwin does such a wonderful job describing  some of the best golf courses in the UK with the added bonus of Harry Rountree’s stunning artwork. This work of literature was immensely important in its day- it was one of the first works in any medium to share the beauty of great golf course architecture.

Paperback via Amazon: $13.50

Paperback via Amazon: $20.00

First Edition via Abe’s Books: $1250.00

GOLF HISTORY BOOKS: MODERN

1. St Andrews: In the Footsteps of Old Tom Morris - Roger McStravick

Winner of the USGA’s Herbert Warren Wind Award. Roger McStravick is one of the world’s preeminent golf historians and in this book he not only shares with us the life of Old Tom Morris, but the world and people of St Andrews who helped shaped the man and the Auld Grey Toon. This is a book for golfers who really want to understand the history of St Andrews and of course Old Tom Morris.

Fine Golf Books: £50.00

2. Monarch of the Green - Stephen Proctor

Stephen Proctor’s first book just happened to be the first book solely dedicated to the life of Young Tom Morris. The book is wonderful in both its history and story telling which makes it an easy and delightful read. After you read this book, pick up Stephen’s second book, The Long Golden Afternoon.

Hardcover via Amazon: $42.00

Paperback via Barnes & Noble: $19.00

3. The Tiger Slam - Kevin Cook

Arguably the single greatest feat in the last 50 years of golf, Cook dives into the story of Tiger Woods winning four professional majors in a row. The book is an amazing journey which takes place between 2000 and 2001 and arguably at the height of Tiger Woods’ greatness. Kevin Cook’s new book will be available for order on December 10th.

Available via Simon & Schuster: $30.00

JOIN A GOLFING SOCIETY

1. The Golf Heritage Society www.golfheritage.org

   The oldest golf collector society in the world. The Golf Heritage Society previously the Golf Collectors Society, serves golf historians & collectors alike. The society hosts regional and national collecting shows across the county and its publication, “The Golf” is worth the price of admission alone.

   Join for $75 per year.

2. The British Golf Collector’s Society www.golfcollectors.co.uk

   The British Golf Collector Society was founded in 1987 and continues a wonderful blend of hickory golf and collecting events. In 2025 the BGCS will host of 40 hickory shafted events throughout the UK. One of the greatest perks of joining the BGCS is their publication “Through the Green.”

   Join with letter of recommendation for £50 per year.

3. The Donald Ross Society www.rosssociety.org

   If you love golf history and golf course architecture, the Donald Ross Society might be a perfect fit for you. Your annual membership opens the door to playing in their society events all across the country and at many of his celebrated private golf clubs. You can join the Donald Ross Society for $100.

START PLAYING HICKORY GOLF

One of the best ways to appreciate golf history is to try to play it. Playing with equipment from yesteryear is not only a great way to understand how great the greats were at playing this game, but it’s also an unbelievable way to experience golf.

First thing is first- you won’t break the shaft. Second thing, every bad shot you hit you can blame on the old technology. Third, there is a hickory kinship with those who play the game.

To learn more about playing hickory golf check out the Society of Hickory Golfers at www.hickorygolfers.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter. If you enjoyed it please consider sharing it with your friends and family. If you disliked it please consider sharing it with your enemies.

Until next time…

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T. Lewis