Author: Grant, H R J & Wilson, D M W 111
THE GOLFING ANNUALS have long been a source of immense importance to golf historians, collectors and authors of golf books. Complete editions of the twenty- three volumes are very few and the later volumes are rare.
 
From these volumes we have extracted reports, descriptions and essays on golf courses together with course maps, thirteen of which are folded colour tip-ins, photographs of courses, players and personalities. Biographies of players, amateur and professional, are grouped with the relevant courses where possible. Similarly poems are linked to the courses or players. Other verses are placed throughout the book. Thus the book is organised by Venues, Victors and Verses.
 
Some of the great writers on golf contributed to the Annuals including Horace G. Hutchinson, Rev. John Kerr, Rev. T.D. Miller, J.O.F. Morris, Dr. J.G. McPherson and Sir Walter Simpson. Among the verse makers John Thomson and Ronald Ross were prolific. We include among the extensive selections “The Auld Wooden Putter” and “The Mashie O’”. The descriptions of the courses are written in detail and narrate how they should be played.
 
The first eight chapters are arranged as a series of journeys which take the reader to the major courses of the day and to courses less known. After beginning at St Andrews we go to destinations such as Forres, Islay, Aberdovey, Westward Ho!, The Isle of Man, Royal County Down, Pau, Bombay, Singapore and all the major courses of the era. Along the journey we include essays on Golf Architecture by Horace Hutchinson and John Anderson.
 
There is a chapter devoted to Amateurs, Professionals, Scribes and Club Makers. The final chapter includes essays on the Laws of Golf, Rules for the Employment of Caddies, Rules for “Bogey”, and Foursomes Play.
 
The authors write with knowledge, passion and wit on the era and the verses capture the age of hickory shafts, unraked bunkers, links golf and the personalities of the day.
 
This 520 page book, complete with an index, is produced by colour process. Embellished with golfing advertisements from the Annuals, it is a mine of information and shines a bright and valuable light on golf when the game was fast gaining in popularity.
 
Sir Michael Bonallack, OBE and Peter Dawson have written Introductions. D.M. Wilson has supported this publication to honour golf’s early writers and poets represented in the Golfing Annuals.
 
Summary of the Chapters
 
A pilgrimage from St Andrews to Dornoch, with a few diversions on the way
An expedition from Largo Bay to Edinburgh
Wandering down the West Coast of Scotland with a diversion to Ulster
Lingering along the way to discuss Golf Architecture
A jaunt from Berwick-on-Tweed across to the West and Hoylake
An excursion around England and into Wales Across the sea to Ireland and the Isle of Man A Tour Abroad
Players, Scribes and Club Makers Finalé
 
Published in a limited edition of 450 copies. Slipcases are available with decorative spine and upper cover. The books and slipcases are bound in dark green Arbelave Library Buckram and printed on 135gsm Paralux cream paper.