HIT & HOPE

By David Owen
If you enjoy David Owen's columns and articles in Golf Digest, the best of his humorous essays are compiled here. He can relate to the plight of the average golfer who goes from absolute joy to complete despair on one hole, because he is one of them. His explanation to why a provisional shot is always better reads as follows: “The difference between the two shots is simple. In making the first (which went out of bounds) you were trying, in making the second you weren't (splitting the fairway, 20 metres past the lowest handicap in the fourball). The first shot was the product of three million years of human evolution; the second was pure ape.”

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Emerald Gems: The links of Ireland

By Laurence Casey Lambrecht
The author and photographer, an American, fell in love with Ireland and specialises in landscapes of Irish golf courses – he also publishes calendars – and this large format book (40 x 30cm) features 49 of Ireland's finest links. Each course has a selection of gorgeous images and text describing the course and its history. Amazon.com $60.

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The 500 World's Greatest Golf Holes

By George Peper
Published in 2000 as part of the new millennium celebrations and updated since. The 500 holes – 125 par 3s, 250 par 4s, and 125 par 5s – have a total par of precisely 2000. There are 600 lavish photos. The top 18 holes are featured in detail with text, photographs and illustrations, and the rest of the Top 100 each have a double page spread with text and photograph. The remaining holes are listed four to a page.Kalahari.net R445, Amazon.com $23.

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Golf Course Designs

By Tom Fazio with Cal Brown
American Tom Fazio is the dominant designer in the United States , and has 14 courses in Golf Digest's Greatest 100 in the US . His impact on the game has helped raise design fees around the world. Golfers love him because he doesn't beat them up. This book covers Fazio's career, past and current trends in design, as well as his own approach. It's well written and illustrated using special course imagery.Exclusive Books R460, Kalahari.net R495, Amazon.com $45 (24 x 29 cm).

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Scottish Golf Links, A Photographer's Journey

By Iain Lowe
If you're a lover of links golf this book features 50 of Scotland's finest courses beautifully photographed from the ground and the air. A short and interesting passage of text accompanies each course, written by golf historian David Joy. Renowned golf course designer Kyle Phillips (of Kingsbarns fame) adds commentary about specific holes and their design. Exclusive Books R475, Kalahari.net R379, Amazon.com $30 (27 x 25 cm).

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