By virtue of having worked on over 400 courses across America, in both urban and rural environments, from New England to the Sandhills of North Carolina and the heavier soils of the Midwest, Donald Ross has touched the lives of X million American golfers. To me, no single person has had a greater impact on what constitutes good golf in this country than Ross. To understand how he accomplished so much, read Brad Becken’s The Golf Architecture of Donald Ross. Brad, who has been the President of the Donald Ross Society since 2018, lives 70 miles from me and the time I have spent with him (pic 2) has revealed a man who chooses his words with precision and avoids hyperbole. As such, he makes a most amicable guide as he shares his journey whereby he has played every significant Ross course in America (some that are defunct too). His voice is the unifying factor, so the book enjoys consistency of message. As the title suggests, this is a comprehensive look at Ross’s architecture from routings to bunker schemes to greens to breakdowns of his best one, two and three shotters. If you are an architecture geek, you will get lost in the book for days. The handsome layout includes copious hole diagrams (pic 3, Franklin Hills) and striking photographs and pays appropriate homage to Ross’s five-decade career – no mean feat! Importantly, it is current and as such, it provides excellent insight into which Ross courses you should target next. It pointed me to Belleair (which I just played), and for 2023, Hyannisport, Allegheny (pic 4), Barton Hills (pic 5) and Misquamicut (pic 6) are now on my short list. The Ross Society has done immense good over its 33-year history of unwinding damage to Ross courses while simultaneously helping courses restore Ross features. This book continues that noble cause, and in fact, may well be its crowning achievement. After perusing it, you will be left with no doubt of Ross’s meaning to the game – and how fortunate🙏 we as a country were that the right Scot came along at the right time and shepherded this sport forward in the most meaningful way possible – by building courses that make you itch to play.

Another must-have from the Classics of Golf.

— Ran Morrissett,
Co-Founder Golf Club Atlas

Every time we think the proverbial “last word” on the work and legacy of Donald Ross has been written and published, the golf gods seem to send down a different slant — and useful insights — on the incomparable handiwork of America’s patron saint of course design. Such is the case, and engagingly so, of Brad Becken Jr., new book The Golf Architecture of Donald Ross, recent;ly published by The Classics of Golf. Like many of us, Becken takes a deep and loving dive into the classical elements that make Ross’ work so timeless and important — and sadly under siege in many places. Lavishly illustrated and brilliantly detailed in it exegesis of how and why so many of the great man’s courses came about and are still the gold standard today, Becken gives Ross fans (old and new alike) a true insider’s perspective on why a Ross course holds us in its spell. This may not be the final word on the man and his legacy — but it’s certainly one NOT to be missed.

— James Dodson,
Best Selling Golf Author

Donald Ross would have loved Brad Becken. He is sharp and honorable – a true golfer. Becken has not only played all of Ross’s courses but plumbed the significance of the towering portfolio. Every golfer will delight in mulling over this exquisitely crafted presentation of the Scottish master’s work.

— Chris Buie
Author of “The Life & Times of Donald Ross and The Early Days of Pinehurst”

It is one of the finest books on golf architecture ever done. Brilliant and thoughtful text; fantastic photos, great layout, and all in all, this is truly a classic. An amazing contribution to the field of golf architecture.

— Don Holton
Historian, Exmoor Country Club

“The Mission of the Donald Ross Society is to promote the recognition of Donald Ross, the excellence of his golf architecture and the preservation and/or restoration of his courses.”

– Bradford A. Becken, Jr.
President, Donald Ross Society