PBA Galleries

58, +[12] ad pp. One inserted plate from a photograph of Willie Campbell; illustrations in ads at rear. 19.5x13.5 cm (7¾x5¼") original red paper wrappers, illustration of a male golfer on front, illustrated ads on rear. First Edition.

The only known copy of what appears to be the earliest known American golf guide and perhaps one of the first four American golf book overall (second wrapper-bound golf book). J. Stuart Balfour's 'Golf' was published in 1893 by the Spalding Athletic Library, James P. Lee's Golf in America was published in two editions (with variant titles) in 1895, as was James Dwight's Golf: A Handbook for Beginners, and the present volume. Contents include the USGA Constitution and By-Laws, instructions for laying out a course, a list of clubs, hints on play, and a section of detailed results for the competitions of 1894 including the “Amateur Championship of America for 1894" at Newport and St. Andrews (Yonkers), Team matches at Tuxedo, and foursome matches at St. Andrews; professional matches at Essex (won by Willie Campbell) and Shinnecock (entrants were Willie Campbell, W. Dunn, W F Davis, Tucker and Fox). D&J W25430 (this copy). OCLC locates an 1897 edition; Alistair Johnston lists editions of 1897, 1899, & 1900; the USGA Library posseses a 1900 edition.