Reader's Responses:

1. Anonymous says:

   June 3, 2010 at 7:08 pm

   Review by for The 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes
   Rating:
   This book is just a wonderful gift for any golf enthusiast. The pictures are great and any golfer or non-golfer alike will be interested in seeing and learning about many golf holes around the world. Great coffee table book!
2. David E. Levine says:

   June 3, 2010 at 7:51 pm

   Review by David E. Levine for The 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes
   Rating:
   This book features (of necessity somewhat subjectively) the top 500 holes in golf. The first part of the book has a several page spread on each of the top 18 holes. Of course, as is to be expected, Pebble Beach’s 18th and St. Andrews’ 17th are among the 18. However, there are some darkhorses that made it such as Bethpage Black’s 5th hole. All the great course’s have made this book such as Augusta, Cypress Point, Shinnecock Hills etc. The spread on each hole in the top 18 has several beautiful color pictures as well as accompanying text. The next group is the top 100. Each has a two page spread with a description of the hole on one page and a glossy color photograph on the facing page. Several holes are featured on each page for the top 500. Later. the book ranks the top holes by categories such as “top penal hole, top strategic hole,” etc. This beautiful oversize volume is not one that you will pick up off the coffee table and peruse for a few minutes. Rather, it can provide years of pleasure as you browse through it over and over. The book has plenty of substance both quanitiatively (it is a large volume) and qualitaively. All golf lovers will enjoy this book.
3. Professor Donald Mitchell says:

   June 3, 2010 at 8:02 pm

   Review by Professor Donald Mitchell for The 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes
   Rating:
   This book is one of the most complete looks at top golf holes around the world that most golfers can hope to have. Since most of us cannot be scratch golfers, play on the pro tour, or get access to the world’s most exclusive clubs, one of the top joys of being a golfer is playing on any great hole. The next best thing is to imagine or to remember playing such a hole. For 100 of 500 top holes, this book will help provide this indirect enjoyment by putting you visually on either the tee and the green of many outstanding holes with a decent-sized color photograph. For 18 of 500 top holes, you are able to do both.If you live in the parts of the world where golf is not available all year around, this book can also keep the spark alive (when you are not watching the Golf Channel). The book contains four main sections. The first looks at 18 great holes (par 72). In this section, you see the view from the tee and from the green, plus enjoy a drawing of the hole’s topography and layout. An excellent essay describes the hole to flesh out the photographs. The second section examines 100 holes (25 par 3s, 50 par 4s, and 25 par 5s). Each hole contains a one page photograph and a one page essay. I was disappointed that some of the holes did not have the best photographic angle available. I suspect that the editors relied on whatever photograph worked best in this layout, rather than the photograph that best represented the hole. I graded the book down one star for this weakness.The third section is like a catalog, for it contains four holes per page with a tiny picture and a brief paragraph. I’m not sure what else could have been done, but perhaps it would have been better to feature fewer holes and done more with each one. The fourth section was my favorite, because it had lots of “bests” lists. These included the most difficult, heroic, penal, longest, mountain, water, hard to putt, and scenic. I especially liked the ranking of best holes by designer, those holes that are easiest to play on for the average person, and the ones that are hardest to get on to play. The editors have a pretty reasonable view of what they have accomplished here. “Is our World’s Greatest list definitive? We doubt it.” “Is it controversial? We hope so.” “Is it defensible? You bet it is. Have a look.”Anyone who sees the book will have quibbles. The jacket cover has the 7th hole at Pebble Beach on it. Now that is a very scenic hole (and is the signature of Pebble Beach). The hole is very tough in a high wind. But on a calm day, it is one of the easiest holes in the world. I certainly wouldn’t have put it on the jacket cover. The 18th at Pebble Beach would have been a better choice if you wanted to do one hole from that course. The process used was pretty exhaustive, but hardly definitive. For the United States, readers of Golf Magazine and its web site could make nominations. Editors of top publications around the world proposed the other holes. In the end 40 countries and territories are represented. The U.S. does seem overrepresented though. A lot of the holes are in here just because they are long. That’s not so defensible these days when long hitters can conquer almost any hole in 2 shots to the green. The final choices were made at Carnoustie in 1999 during the British Open by the Golf Magazine editors, the 11 non-U.S. publication editors who had made the nominations, plus a representative each from St. Andrews and the U.S.G.A. Naturally, you have St. Andrews overrepresented in the book. I found that the list seemed overweighted toward the well-known holes (such as the 7th at Pebble Beach and the 17th at the Old Course in St. Andrews), but that makes it more interesting to the people who want to know more about those holes. Although the book has some material about famous moments on the holes, it would have been improved by doing much more of this. When I have played any of the holes in the book, it is the stories about competitive experiences by great golfers that have enriched the pleasure for me the most.On the other hand, Cypress Point is a course I am unlikely to ever play and the book has several holes from that club. I was very happy to see them beautifully laid out and described. I had the same reaction to many non-U.S. courses that I did not know about before. If you have the chance to travel, I think the best use of this book is to help you organize some golf vacations where you can access the courses. I have had it in my mind to play Pinehurst #2 for many years, and seeing the great holes from that classic Donald Ross course reminded me to do something about that desire. However you decide to enjoy this book, I am sure that it will expand your joy in the game . . . even if only as a spectator on a televised tournament. I suggest that you make a promise to yourself to play at least one of the holes though. That will make your journey through its pages much more fun!Have a great experience with these great holes! As the editors point out, “In the end, we don’t play the great holes — they play us.” “They thrill, frighten, embolden, confound, contort, support, and cajole us.”Go for the pin!
4. Mark Piske says:

   June 3, 2010 at 8:54 pm

   Review by Mark Piske for The 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes
   Rating:
   The perfect coffee table book for any golfer or non-golfer who would like to see some of the most beautiful courses in the world. The pictures are breathtaking, and will make you wish you were there. The perfect gift for the golfer in your world.
5. Professor Donald Mitchell says:

   June 3, 2010 at 9:05 pm

   Review by Professor Donald Mitchell for The 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes
   Rating:
   This book is one of the most complete looks at top golf holes around the world that most golfers can hope to have. Since most of us cannot be scratch golfers, play on the pro tour, or get access to the world’s most exclusive clubs, one of the top joys of being a golfer is playing on any great hole. The next best thing is to imagine or to remember playing such a hole. For 100 of 500 top holes, this book will help provide this indirect enjoyment by putting you visually on either the tee and the green of many outstanding holes with a decent-sized color photograph. For 18 of 500 top holes, you are able to do both.If you live in the parts of the world where golf is not available all year around, this book can also keep the spark alive (when you are not watching the Golf Channel).The book contains four main sections. The first looks at 18 great holes (par 72). In this section, you see the view from the tee and from the green, plus enjoy a drawing of the hole’s topography and layout. An excellent essay describes the hole to flesh out the photographs.The second section examines 100 holes (25 par 3s, 50 par 4s, and 25 par 5s). Each hole contains a one page photograph and a one page essay. I was disappointed that some of the holes did not have the best photographic angle available. I suspect that the editors relied on whatever photograph worked best in this layout, rather than the photograph that best represented the hole. I graded the book down one star for this weakness.The third section is like a catalog, for it contains four holes per page with a tiny picture and a brief paragraph. I’m not sure what else could have been done, but perhaps it would have been better to feature fewer holes and done more with each one.The fourth section was my favorite, because it had lots of “bests” lists. These included the most difficult, heroic, penal, longest, mountain, water, hard to putt, and scenic. I especially liked the ranking of best holes by designer, those holes that are easiest to play on for the average person, and the ones that are hardest to get on to play.The editors have a pretty reasonable view of what they have accomplished here.”Is our World’s Greatest list definitive? We doubt it.”"Is it controversial? We hope so.”"Is it defensible? You bet it is. Have a look.”Anyone who sees the book will have quibbles. The jacket cover has the 7th hole at Pebble Beach on it. Now that is a very scenic hole (and is the signature of Pebble Beach). The hole is very tough in a high wind. But on a calm day, it is one of the easiest holes in the world. I certainly wouldn’t have put it on the jacket cover. The 18th at Pebble Beach would have been a better choice if you wanted to do one hole from that course.The process used was pretty exhaustive, but hardly definitive. For the United States, readers of Golf Magazine and its web site could make nominations. Editors of top publications around the world proposed the other holes. In the end 40 countries and territories are represented. The U.S. does seem overrepresented though. A lot of the holes are in here just because they are long. That’s not so defensible these days when long hitters can conquer almost any hole in 2 shots to the green. The final choices were made at Carnoustie in 1999 during the British Open by the Golf Magazine editors, the 11 non-U.S. publication editors who had made the nominations, plus a representative each from St. Andrews and the U.S.G.A. Naturally, you have St. Andrews overrepresented in the book.I found that the list seemed overweighted toward the well-known holes (such as the 7th at Pebble Beach and the 17th at the Old Course in St. Andrews), but that makes it more interesting to the people who want to know more about those holes. Although the book has some material about famous moments on the holes, it would have been improved by doing much more of this. When I have played any of the holes in the book, it is the stories about competitive experiences by great golfers that have enriched the pleasure for me the most.On the other hand, Cypress Point is a course I am unlikely to ever play and the book has several holes from that club. I was very happy to see them beautifully laid out and described. I had the same reaction to many non-U.S. courses that I did not know about before.If you have the chance to travel, I think the best use of this book is to help you organize some golf vacations where you can access the courses. I have had it in my mind to play Pinehurst #2 for many years, and seeing the great holes from that classic Donald Ross course reminded me to do something about that desire.However you decide to enjoy this book, I am sure that it will expand your joy in the game . . . even if only as a spectator on a televised tournament.I suggest that you make a promise to yourself to play at least one of the holes though. That will make your journey through its pages much more fun!Have a great experience with these great holes! As the editors point out, “In the end, we don’t play the great holes — they play us.” “They thrill, frighten, embolden, confound, contort, support, and cajole us.”Go for the pin!
6. Cello Mom says:

   June 3, 2010 at 9:31 pm

   Review by Cello Mom for Step2 Par 3 Mini Golf Course
   Rating:
   Purchased this last spring and our 3 year old and 5 year old still haven’t tired of it. They LOVE setting up the course different ways and making up rules for new games. When we have playdates this is always a favorite- even with kids up to age 6 and 7. For the price, this is a great value. If your kids love mini golf, they will love this. Only drawback is it has only 2 clubs and 2 balls- but for $5 at your local discount store you can get an extra set of clubs and balls (usually 4 clubs and 4 balls) in the no-brand variety that will work in a pinch, when you have company over. We give it a huge 4 thumbs up from our family of 4.
7. Anonymous says:

   June 3, 2010 at 9:48 pm

   Review by for Step2 Par 3 Mini Golf Course
   Rating:
   We got this for my 2-year-old and 3-year-old children. They both love it. It assembles VERY easily–the kids were able to watch and participate in the assembly without getting impatient, how often does that happen??? It comes with two clubs and two balls…. I was impressed at how sturdy everything is. The putting greens are designed to give frequent hole-in-one’s, which is great for small children but might get pretty boring for older kids. Both of my kids had fun with it, and dad and grandpa liked showing my son how to properly hold a golf club.
8. C. Siders says:

   June 3, 2010 at 10:25 pm

   Review by C. Siders for Step2 Par 3 Mini Golf Course
   Rating:
   I gave this to my 4 year old niece and nephew. They loved it! I set it up as they were opening other presents and they immediately wanted to play with it. Then they decided it was a ton of fun to play with their cars on it too.
9. Anonymous says:

   June 3, 2010 at 10:45 pm

   Review by for Step2 Par 3 Mini Golf Course
   Rating:
   When I read the reviews on this item, it seemed that kids up to age 5 and 6 would enjoy this. I bought it for my 4 year old. It holds no interest for him at all. And of course the same goes for my 6yr old. Basically, you just knock the ball down the short track and it stops about 3 feet away in a “hole”. There are no obstacles per se (the ones that attatch to the track do not hinder the ball) I guess I should have looked harder at the product description. I can see a 2yr old liking this, maybe 3. My son DOES enjoy pretending the club is a sword, so that’s something.
10. J. Aqui says:

    June 3, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    Review by J. Aqui for Step2 Par 3 Mini Golf Course
    Rating:
    I actually purchased this for my godchild and when the box arrived , I was appalled at the condition of the package . The box was torn in a couple places and certainly looked weather-beaten .Despite the terrible appearance however , the toy itself seems to have sturdy and durable pieces .My godchild and her Dad are having lots of fun , so I would definitely say this was a great purchase . I would like to suggest that for shipping , Target should enclose this box into a larger one to prevent the actual package from arriving in a deplorable condition .