Overview of the Guides

Format

The booklet is 8.5 x 11 inches, spiral bound. It is 70 pages and is illustrated in colour throughout with historic and contemporary photographs along with illustrations. Mostly of Thompson’s courses, they demonstrate various principles. Examples are on left.

Contents

A comprehensive listing of the Technical Guides content can be found on the previous page.

Section descriptions

Foreword

Includes a letter from the Past President of the Donald Ross Society; a review of the Society’s founding principles and its past and ongoing work; a note about the authors stating ... "the authors are architects or superintendents who have direct hands-on experience with specific subject matter; others have been involved with various golf club matters on Committees, Chair of Green Committees or as Directors and Presidents”; and a comment from Dr. Geoffrey Cornish.

Section 1: Principles

Essays about the rationale for restoration; a review of classic golf course restoration including descriptions of Thompson’s work and the current state of older courses; a description of his basic design principles.

Section 2: Assessment

This section tells how to fact-find through established methods and sources; a description of playing surfaces - from tees through to greens; information about bunkers and mounding; and trees on a golf course and how to handle them.

Section 3: Planning

An informative section dealing with communicating with club membership; how to build a team; strategic planning; selecting an architect; a critical must-read part about environmental concerns; explanation and objectives of a master plan.

Section 4: Restoration

Considerations regarding bunkers and greens; how to manage trees; the tendering and construction process; the various phases of construction.

Section 5: Reference

Profiles of the authors; further reading material; bibliography and credits.