Golf 2026

Contents

4

How It All Began

20

Clubs & Balls

196

St Andrews

24

Golf Course Design

204

The First Superstars

32

From Golf Star to Course Designer

216

A Golf Prodigy

36

Top Golfers, Top Winemakers

226

Hagen & Jones

40

Million Dollar Golf Coaches

240

The Big Four Live

50

John D. Rockefeller

246

Tiger Woods

62

Oval Office Meets Fairway

248

The Four Major Championships

72

The Millionaires’ Club

258

The Great Team Competitions

82

The Top Golf Brands

266

Traditional Courses

98

Watches in Golf

275

Modern Masterpieces

114

Stars of Today

280

Exclusive Golf Resorts

124

Photo Credits

303

Golf & Indulgence

156

Imprint

304

5

Contents

4

How It All Began

20

Clubs & Balls

196

St Andrews

24

Golf Course Design

204

The First Superstars

32

From Golf Star to Course Designer

216

A Golf Prodigy

36

Top Golfers, Top Winemakers

226

Hagen & Jones

40

Million Dollar Golf Coaches

240

The Big Four Live

50

John D. Rockefeller

246

Tiger Woods

62

Oval Office Meets Fairway

248

The Four Major Championships

72

The Millionaires’ Club

258

The Great Team Competitions

82

The Top Golf Brands

266

Traditional Courses

98

Watches in Golf

275

Modern Masterpieces

114

Stars of Today

280

Exclusive Golf Resorts

124

Photo Credits

303

Golf & Indulgence

156

Imprint

304

5

16

17

16

17

„YOU DON’T KNOW

WHAT PRESSURE IS UNTIL YOU PLAY FOR FIVE BUCKS WITH ONLY TWO BUCKS IN YOUR POCKET. Lee Trevino

60

Left: Lee Trevino proved that an outsider from humble beginnings could rise to the top of the game. Put in the grandest terms: without Lee Trevino, a Tiger Woods would not have been possible.

“

61

„YOU DON’T KNOW

WHAT PRESSURE IS UNTIL YOU PLAY FOR FIVE BUCKS WITH ONLY TWO BUCKS IN YOUR POCKET. Lee Trevino

60

Left: Lee Trevino proved that an outsider from humble beginnings could rise to the top of the game. Put in the grandest terms: without Lee Trevino, a Tiger Woods would not have been possible.

“

61

102

103

102

103

LES BORDES, FRANCE

The two courses, the Old Course built in 1987 and the New Course built in 2021, were created by Robert Van Hagge and Gil Hanse, two design heavyweights whose individual signatures are clearly recognizable.

The Old Course is a demanding parkland layout featuring a complex of lakes and numerous hazards.

The New Course, with its impressive inland-links style set in heathland, recalls classic golf architecture that works gently with the natural landscape. In 2024, Scottie Scheffler prepared for the Olympics here and went on to win the gold medal in Paris just days later.

Strategy rather than brute force is required. The fairways, especially on the New Course, are firm and fast.

On the Old Course, hole 14 is particularly memorable.

It is a par 5 measuring more than 550 yards with an island green. Aggressive play requires complete confidence, yet laying up is no simple option either, as bunkers and thick rough await. On the New Course, hole 18 is unforgettable. The tee shot is framed by trees, and the green is guarded by water on the left and three bunkers on the right.

Left: After the round, it is time to unwind.

127

LES BORDES, FRANCE

The two courses, the Old Course built in 1987 and the New Course built in 2021, were created by Robert Van Hagge and Gil Hanse, two design heavyweights whose individual signatures are clearly recognizable.

The Old Course is a demanding parkland layout featuring a complex of lakes and numerous hazards.

The New Course, with its impressive inland-links style set in heathland, recalls classic golf architecture that works gently with the natural landscape. In 2024, Scottie Scheffler prepared for the Olympics here and went on to win the gold medal in Paris just days later.

Strategy rather than brute force is required. The fairways, especially on the New Course, are firm and fast.

On the Old Course, hole 14 is particularly memorable.

It is a par 5 measuring more than 550 yards with an island green. Aggressive play requires complete confidence, yet laying up is no simple option either, as bunkers and thick rough await. On the New Course, hole 18 is unforgettable. The tee shot is framed by trees, and the green is guarded by water on the left and three bunkers on the right.

Left: After the round, it is time to unwind.

127

146

147

146

147

BAD RAGAZ, SWITZERLAND

Bad Ragaz delights golfers and gourmets alike.

At the heart of the humble spa town stands the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, which operates several hotels and restaurants among the best in Switzerland, as well as two golf courses. Luxury, style, and history, golf has been played here since 1905, shaping every stay.

Since 1997, professionals from the European Senior Tour have returned regularly for the Swiss Seniors Open.

Amateurs are equally welcome. The championship course is forgiving, flat, and relatively short, making it ideal for walking. The greens are not overly severe and invite confident approach shots. The key is keeping tee shots reasonably straight and positioning drives carefully on doglegs to ensure the proper angle for the second shot. The overall package of location, atmosphere, hospitality, cuisine, and golf is compelling. Culinary excellence is a defining strength. Across the resort’s three flagship hotels, restaurants hold a combined six Michelin stars and 59 Gault Millau points.

Left: Teeing off towards the mountains. The golf course at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz offers a unique setting.

181

BAD RAGAZ, SWITZERLAND

Bad Ragaz delights golfers and gourmets alike.

At the heart of the humble spa town stands the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, which operates several hotels and restaurants among the best in Switzerland, as well as two golf courses. Luxury, style, and history, golf has been played here since 1905, shaping every stay.

Since 1997, professionals from the European Senior Tour have returned regularly for the Swiss Seniors Open.

Amateurs are equally welcome. The championship course is forgiving, flat, and relatively short, making it ideal for walking. The greens are not overly severe and invite confident approach shots. The key is keeping tee shots reasonably straight and positioning drives carefully on doglegs to ensure the proper angle for the second shot. The overall package of location, atmosphere, hospitality, cuisine, and golf is compelling. Culinary excellence is a defining strength. Across the resort’s three flagship hotels, restaurants hold a combined six Michelin stars and 59 Gault Millau points.

Left: Teeing off towards the mountains. The golf course at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz offers a unique setting.

181

194

195

194

195

J ack Nicklaus does it. Bernhard Langer does it. Tiger

ating a seamless commercial network. The pro shops at his

Woods has joined them. Many former and even active play-

courses carry his clothing line. The club restaurants stock his

ers have moved into course design, including Ernie Els, Colin

wines. The surrounding hotels and vacation villas are devel-

Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, and Tom Weiskopf. In this regard,

oped by companies within his organization. The Earth Course

professional golfers are fortunate. Hardly any other sport of-

in Dubai and the Medalist Golf Club in Florida both bear his

fers athletes the chance to compete for significant prize money well into their 60s. Eventually, when tournament life slows down, a second career often awaits: designing courses in some of the world‘s most beautiful places. Designers are paid handsomely for their expertise. If you want a course by Gary Player or Jack Nicklaus, prepare to invest several million

Anyone who wants a course designed

by Gary Player or Jack Nicklaus must pay millions of dollars

dollars - the design fee alone. Construction costs are extra.

The copy warned the Little Blind Text.

That where it came from it would have been rewritten a thousand times.

The benefit for investors is clear. A legendary name adds tre-

signature. Tiger Woods has already opened his first course in

mendous appeal. Usually, the designer attends the opening

the United States, Bluejack National in Texas. Its wide fairways

and strikes the ceremonial first tee shot, drawing extra media

and towering pines recall Augusta National Golf Club, where

attention.

he won the Masters five times. He has also designed a sec-

Jack Nicklaus has designed more than 400 courses worldwide,

ond course in Mexico. Few doubt that he will succeed as a

including Muirfield Village, host of the Memorial Tournament

designer, although many fans would still prefer to see him on

on the PGA Tour, PGA National in Florida with its famous Bear

the greens rather than at the drawing board for a few more

Trap, and the spectacular Cabo del Sol Ocean Course on Mex-

years. For golf purists, the courses designed by Ben Crenshaw

ico’s coast. Arnold Palmer’s most recognized creations include

deserve special mention. The two-time Masters champion

Bay Hill in Florida, as well as Tralee and The K Club in Ireland.

works closely with Bill Coore to create understated, classical

The latter hosted the Ryder Cup in 2006, an honor that rep-

layouts without unnecessary ornamentation. Their portfolio

resents a true distinction for any course architect. Gary Player,

includes Sand Hills in Nebraska, Cabot Cliffs in Canada, and

the third member of the Big Four, has created roughly 300

Bandon Dunes in Oregon. Artificial waterfalls and similar ex-

courses around the globe, among them the distinctive Fan-

travagances have no place in Crenshaw’s traditional approach.

court in his native South Africa and Thracian Cliffs in Bulgaria.

Perhaps the most strategically positioned in business terms, however, is Greg Norman. The Australian, who dominated the golf world in the 1980s, operates across multiple sectors, cre-

218

Left and next page: The K Club in in Straffan, County Kildare, Irland is one of Arnold Palmer’s most recognized courses.

219

J ack Nicklaus does it. Bernhard Langer does it. Tiger

ating a seamless commercial network. The pro shops at his

Woods has joined them. Many former and even active play-

courses carry his clothing line. The club restaurants stock his

ers have moved into course design, including Ernie Els, Colin

wines. The surrounding hotels and vacation villas are devel-

Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, and Tom Weiskopf. In this regard,

oped by companies within his organization. The Earth Course

professional golfers are fortunate. Hardly any other sport of-

in Dubai and the Medalist Golf Club in Florida both bear his

fers athletes the chance to compete for significant prize money well into their 60s. Eventually, when tournament life slows down, a second career often awaits: designing courses in some of the world‘s most beautiful places. Designers are paid handsomely for their expertise. If you want a course by Gary Player or Jack Nicklaus, prepare to invest several million

Anyone who wants a course designed

by Gary Player or Jack Nicklaus must pay millions of dollars

dollars - the design fee alone. Construction costs are extra.

The copy warned the Little Blind Text.

That where it came from it would have been rewritten a thousand times.

The benefit for investors is clear. A legendary name adds tre-

signature. Tiger Woods has already opened his first course in

mendous appeal. Usually, the designer attends the opening

the United States, Bluejack National in Texas. Its wide fairways

and strikes the ceremonial first tee shot, drawing extra media

and towering pines recall Augusta National Golf Club, where

attention.

he won the Masters five times. He has also designed a sec-

Jack Nicklaus has designed more than 400 courses worldwide,

ond course in Mexico. Few doubt that he will succeed as a

including Muirfield Village, host of the Memorial Tournament

designer, although many fans would still prefer to see him on

on the PGA Tour, PGA National in Florida with its famous Bear

the greens rather than at the drawing board for a few more

Trap, and the spectacular Cabo del Sol Ocean Course on Mex-

years. For golf purists, the courses designed by Ben Crenshaw

ico’s coast. Arnold Palmer’s most recognized creations include

deserve special mention. The two-time Masters champion

Bay Hill in Florida, as well as Tralee and The K Club in Ireland.

works closely with Bill Coore to create understated, classical

The latter hosted the Ryder Cup in 2006, an honor that rep-

layouts without unnecessary ornamentation. Their portfolio

resents a true distinction for any course architect. Gary Player,

includes Sand Hills in Nebraska, Cabot Cliffs in Canada, and

the third member of the Big Four, has created roughly 300

Bandon Dunes in Oregon. Artificial waterfalls and similar ex-

courses around the globe, among them the distinctive Fan-

travagances have no place in Crenshaw’s traditional approach.

court in his native South Africa and Thracian Cliffs in Bulgaria.

Perhaps the most strategically positioned in business terms, however, is Greg Norman. The Australian, who dominated the golf world in the 1980s, operates across multiple sectors, cre-

218

Left and next page: The K Club in in Straffan, County Kildare, Irland is one of Arnold Palmer’s most recognized courses.

219

282

283

282

283

The Golf Book

For more information, and to order books, please

by Stefan Maiwald

visit www.teneues.com and www.gestalten.com

This book was conceived, edited, and

Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co. KG

designed by teNeues.

Mariannenstrasse 9–10 10999 Berlin, Germany

Text: © Stefan Maiwald, 2026. All rights reserved.

hello@gestalten.com

Editorial Coordination by Stefanie Schuhmacher,

Krefeld Office

Seitenmeisterei

Uerdinger Str. 265 / Villa Pattberg

Production by Sandra Jansen-Dorn, teNeues

47800 Krefeld, Germany

Design Concept by Jan Haux

verlag@teneues.com

Layout by Stefanie Schuhmacher, Seitenmeisterei Color Separation by Robert Kuhlendahl, teNeues

teNeues Press Department

Proofreading by Benine Mayer, teNeues

press@gestalten.com

Translation by Lara von Dehn Bibliographic information published by the Printed in Italy by Printer Trento S.r.l.

Deutsche N ­ ationalbibliothek. The Deutsche

Produced in Europe

Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data is available online at www.dnb.de

Published by gestalten, Berlin 2026 ISBN 978-3-96171-748-4 1st printing, 2026 © teNeues, an Imprint of Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin 2026 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy or any storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. This work is reserved from text and data mining (Article 4(3) Directive (EU) 2019/790).

Respect copyrights, encourage creativity!