The books are timeless and illustrations of flora and fauna have that quality more than perhaps drawings of golfers do. And when it comes to writing a few thousand words about a golf hole, well, I’d be remiss if I wasn’t able to find space for, say, the smell of peat at Royal County Down or the volcanic rocks off-shore at Turnberry.”

Craig told us he’s happy with the final version of the books and feels they’ve achieved something new and fresh.

The books are intended for all those who love golf and travel and fine things. They’re as
much objet d’art as simply books for reading. There are other excellent golf books out there, but often they’re marred by average design or their great photos don’t have space to breathe or else poorer photos or stock shots detract from them.


(image courtesy of 18 Greatest Golf/ John Kemick)

And as to the words, we are serious writers and have set out to be amongst the best. That’s tricky and there’s an established order but I know we’ve achieved something good with our
text which is light on the tried, tested and overtold stories and fresh on new descriptions and unheard tales.”

Men and women can both enjoy them. But in some ways they’re the perfect item for the man who has everything. I believe they’ll maintain or increase their value, like a Rolex watch or a Hermes bag!

We always knew they’d be high end limited edition affairs but we’ve kept the price as low as we can because, truly, we want people to own them and enjoy them. There are no superfluous gold leaf inlays or tricks to increase the value. The price reflects the labour and love and the scarcity and when I consider those things I believe they are very good value, no more than the cost of a particularly good round of golf and certainly no more than a cashmere pullover, decent whisky and fine cigar, all of which should be on hand for maximum enjoyment whilst reading...

The books have already amassed a collection of notable fans...

“Pat Ruddy, one of the greatest living course architects and owner of an immense private golf library owns copies of both books and has said very, very kind things about them. Also, Alastair Johnston, a former CEO of IMG, whose private golf library is probably the largest in the world, owns our books and has likewise praised them highly.

Other notable owners of our books include Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell. I know that because they helped us and in return were sent copies! I daresay many more famous tour golfers own them because a private jet company which sponsors countless celebrated golfers bought a number of copies of both books to gift to their golf-related customers.”

And we couldn’t let Craig go without finding out what his most memorable golfing experience was...

I could readily feel emotional back on the nine hole course (the wee course) at Greenock where I first played the game and I can name memorable moments on some of the greatest courses in The States and Scotland. I mean, my high-minded feelings for the game can sound a bit self-important and the truth is the very best times I’ve ever had on a golf course are with my friends, no matter the course, no matter the quality of the golf. My annual weekend with old friends from The University of Aberdeen (The Cuvee Jean Paul Classic is its glorious title and it has more in common with the American movie The Hangover than it does with typical American buddy trips) provides me with enough laughs to get through the rest of the year.


I also smile when I think of my French pen pal, Arnaud, back when we were kids, reversing a cart over his girlfriend’s little brother. It wasn’t exactly funny at the time and the girlfriend’s father, a significant French businessperson who was also present, wasn’t too impressed...

And my final golfing thoughts on any given day (which should be of putting out under the full moon on the 18th at Royal Dornoch or maybe Nicklaus’ words to Watson at the 1977 British Open trophy presentation) often turn to my friend Roger who knows next to nothing of golf but who played Valderrama with me some years ago. He strolled onto the practise ground and gave me a very serious look before pretending to take a swing at the top of a perfectly formed pyramid of sparkling white balls, while under the watchful eye of the director of golf - whose guests we were.”