St. Andrews and the Open Championship: The Official History (Hardcover)

This book will make a worthy momento of a trip to St. Andrews or an inspiring encouragement to travel to there.

St. Andrews was originally called "Muck ross" by the Picts, a name which meant "headland of swine." The history of the town's founding is covered here as well as the start of the course, originally 11 holes. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club was founded in 1839.

The book is organized around each of the 24 Opens contested at St. Andrews since the competitions began in 1873 through 1995, when John Daley was the winner with his incredible shot on the 17th (road) hole. There is also a section with a photograph of each of the Old Course's 18 holes. Interspaced through the book are views of famous bunkers and scenary.

The written part of the book is at its best in describing the early dominance by Tom Morris, father and son, who each won four Opens at St. Andrews.

The one fact that surprised me was that Jock Hutchinson, the first American to win the Open at St. Andrews in 1921, was born and bred there before moving to the United States. His "ribbed" iron was controversial for its ability to stop the ball on the very hard greens.

From 1921, the Open there belonged to the Americans more often than not, undoubtedly because the openness of the Old Course favors the long-hitting American game.

Each Open contains many illustrations from that time, which gives the book an authentic feeling. I felt like I was in the museum in St. Andrews again.

From a pictoral point of view, I was disappointed that the book did not capture the truly foul weather that often exists at St. Andrews, the horrible pot bunker challenges, and the gorse. You end up seeing something more like a park than St. Andrews really is to play.

The magnificent color photographs invariably favor a sunny St. Andrews under unusual lighting conditions that change the color and the character of the course into something almost magical.

After enjoying this book, do remember that if you want to play the Old Course there are handicap maximums (albeit very generous ones). You can write ahead and get a guaranteed tee time, which I heartily recommend. Any tour guide worth their price will tell you what to do while you are planning your trip. You might as well play the New Course while you are there. I don't recommend doing them both in the same day though. Caddies are often not available, and you will probably be carrying or pulling your clubs on one or the other of the two courses.

Practice hitting the low bump and run shot before you go. You'll use it a lot unless the weather is perfect (which seldom happens).