The Best Library In Golf: Preserved Links Makes The Case As A Society Without A Course That Can Compete With The Best Clubs

The very best libraries in golf exist in the most private places. Unfortunately 99% of golfers will never see these historic museum type rooms. Places like the library at Pine Valley which sits in a discreate corner on the second floor of the clubhouse have been built over decades. Most golfers who visit the worlds #1 golf club are so excited and overwhelmed by being there, the library is a place they rarely see. The same can be said for any other club that boasts an extensive library. The more exclusive the club the limited time a guest has to experience the course, dining, lodging, and other amenities. Libraries are golfs best kept secret.  

The Library at National Golf Links Of America.

Another example of an amazing library is National Golf Links of America. They have been collecting titles since the early 19th century. There are many one of a kind titles in there including picture books of some of the best modern courses with original design notes from the Architects who built them.  Garden City Mens Club's entire clubhouse is a big library. The list of examples goes on and on. So how does one access such a place? By being invited by a member and hope the member is a historian who's willing and interested in giving you the full tour of the club. But all clubs are different, all golfers have different tastes, and clubs favor collecting what they enjoy. Many collect what they can find from clubs like their own, courses that share the same architect. "In Preserved Links, we don't have a favorite, said a Preserved Links Member. We collect it all, we try to stay diverse, and we try to expand our architectural appreciation for all the designers as opposed to concentrating on one. Collecting anything and everything from say CB MacDonald and Seth Raynor would make for a worthy collection but would also be very one dimensional. You can find just as much published on Donald Ross, AW Tillinghast, Walter Travis, Alister Mackenzie,  and now today there is even much to learn about modern architects and their styles such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Doak, Gil Hanse, and Pete Dye. We are after it all. We want to be the most well rounded library in golf. We've seen them all and we are well on our way."

What makes the library at Preserved Links most interesting, there is no formal home for it. Much of it is stored at a Lodge the club maintains in South Jersey but much of it is in possession of a few members.