GOLF IS GREAT

- Thursday, 16 December, 2010

For those of you who haven't tried Golf in Scotland, you have absolutely no idea of what you are missing. This is the 'home of golf' and as such is full of every comfort you would expect from that connotation.

Golf can be luxurious, its often spectacular but most re-assuring of all is that some of the very best courses are affordable, golf so good you will want to take up membership is near cheap, and the welcome I've always found to be as good as anywhere.

And then there is the so beautiful scenery, and lots to do off the course.

So how can a single book get the non-Scotland golfer past Hadrian's Wall?

For those who have become enamoured with the Mediterranean, what would it take to make at least half their social golfing holidays 'North' rather than 'South' - If you 'collect' golf courses, you may have given up on Scotland because of the vast portfolio on offer - or you can easily become a Championship golf snob and have ignored courses that can never get on the Open rota but are classical tests beyond compare.

'Scotland Where Golf is Great' was written by James W Finegan, an American who for four decades has played and written about golf in Scotland (and Ireland). There could have been no harder life for a writer, but the first thing to be said of Finegan is that this he is no sycophant. He reviews the Open rota courses telling it exactly as it is - the real test that each poses the World?s best every few years, whether functional or fantastic.

'Scotland Where Golf is Great' is a tour of all the 'names' that the country has to offer, starting with St Andrews, this year's Open venue. With each venue - because say at St Andrews you get a review of all the courses in the town - you'll find history both new and old and stories of famous faces

The opening of the Centenary course at Gleneagles with a regal (actual, golfing and film) four-ball is there, as is the advice about what to see and do when not playing - rather expensive in this case but not necessarily so as a lunch you will remember forever can be found here and there at some of the more remote venue descriptions.

For the new - Kingsbarns and the like - the quality of build and the dependence on history and study will tell you why theses course have joined a huge list of links (and inland) courses which are of your golfing dreams.

The new can be costly to play (if at all possible) but venture to Boat of Garten or say Dunbar and much more affordable golf comes with beauty beyond description. If you want to follow the very best then this book will tell you that Ben Crenshaw nearly didn't come back south to play in the Open after a visit to Dornoch.

With every town you will find a hotel recommendation (or two), places to see and to eat any meal (breakfast through to dinner) and where to source the best in Scottish whiskey. Finegan does like quality and he cannot find space for some of the courses which don't lie within the reach of a championship venue - so don't think this is a complete guide.

The reason though you cannot read this book and not immediately Google to book a round and hotel is the photography. Much of it came from early morning or late evening patience as Messrs Lambrecht and Thompson captured vistas and panoramas one after another. The trouble is that whilst you will play more than the odd round in Scotland in rain or wind that is horizontal, it could be just minutes from the height of a storm until you too experience glorious sunshine and treading the fairways of these images. This is not airbrushing in any form, just nature providing glorious golf with the odd twist or two when it completes your golfing education by testing you against the elements. Expect and you will be rewarded.

'Scotland Where Golf is Great' by James W Finegan is published by Artisan Books, and division of Workman publishing and priced £ 17.99.

It is from all good book shops and on-line retailers - a big, beautiful Chistmas book without peer.

ISBN: 978-1-57965-428-3

(More than) 25 Christmas Presents for your list

Aim Mate - put your golf on the right line

Physical Golf - an incredible book about making the best of your physical abilities

Technical Golf - superb tips about everything

Go to the gym - you have to have this book?

U18 and want to do strength training?

Golf in Scotland - just a superb book

A golf ball revolution - one you cannot lose

Buying a present for the Lady in your life