Revised and updated, the definitive story of the Home of Golf, witness to more than 600 years of golfing history That the game evolved and developed into its final form at St. Andrews has never been in question--St. Andrews is the home of the game's most influential ruling body, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, and it was there in 1764 that today's standard 18-hole round was established when the 22-hole Old Course was reduced. One golf course has now become seven and many of golf's most dramatic moments, affecting the world's most famous players, have occurred here. It has played host to the game's greats, as well as those enthusiastic amateurs for whom the chance to play St. Andrews' hallowed turf is a dream come true. This celebratory volume of the official history of golf's most important location was written by Tom Jarrett, a caddie, journalist, golfer, and author, and updated by Peter Mason, who was involved in managing the links throughout its most intensive--and controversial--phase of development. It contains many previously unpublished and rarely seen photos from the archives of the St Andrews Links Trust.

A caddie since he was twelve and a golfer sporting a 1.8 handicap, Ollie decides to spend his gap year, pre Harvard, in St. Andrews: a town with the U.K.'s highest number of pubs per capita and home to the Old Course, golf's most famous eighteen holes, where he enrolls in the St. Andrews Links Trust caddie trainee program. Initially, the notoriously brusque veteran caddies treat Ollie like a pest. But after a year of waking up at 4:30 A.M. every morning and looping two rounds a day, Ollie earns their grudging respect. A charming coming-of-age memoir.

Alister MacKenzie was one of golf's greatest architects. He designed his courses so that players of all skill levels could enjoy the game while still creating fantastic challenges for the most experienced players. Several of MacKenzie's courses, such as Augusta National, Cypress Point, and Pasatiempo, remain in the top 100 today. In his "lost" 1933 manuscript, published for the first time in 1995 and now finally available in paperback, MacKenzie leads you through the evolution of golf--from St. Andrews to the modern-day golf course--and shares his insight on great golf holes, the swing, technology and equipment, putting tips, the USGA, the Royal & Ancient, and more. With fascinating stories about Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, and many others, The Spirit of St. Andrews gives valuable lessons for all golfers as well as an intimate portrait of Alister MacKenzie, a true legend of the game.