Golf's Best New Destinations

Library Journal

Venue in golf is all important. Unlike in soccer, basketball, and football, each playing ground differs. Some venues are remarkable for the test they present (Pine Valley), some for the scenery (Kingsbarns), and some for their place in history (Augusta National, St. Andrews Old Course). Both McCallen (former senior editor, Golf magazine; Golf Resorts of the World) and longtime golf writer Finegan (Emerald Fairways and Foam-Flecked Seas) use lavish photographs to capture the atmosphere of the places where golf is played. Their subject matter is different, however. McCallen focuses on the new (defined as either contemporaneous with or since Tiger Woods's emergence as a professional). He also has a world focus and uses a third-person perspective, while Finegan concentrates on Scotland and Ireland and offers a first-person account with many unique touches. While both books feature adequate travel information, Finegan's has the edge in giving both lodging and dining recommendations. In many travel books, such details become suspect-bars and restaurants often change hands-but Finegan's destinations have a way of defying time. It should be noted that both volumes are decidedly intended for the coffee table by virtue of their size and their spectacular photographs, but the authors' narratives and descriptions are considerable. Every library's golf collection should have one such book, and either of these serves very well. In fact, they would equally be assets for any travel collection.-Steven Silkunas, North Wales, PA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.