THE FIRST GOLF MANUAL WRITTEN BY A PROFESSIONAL

PARK, William, Jr. The Game of Golf. London: Longmans, Green, 1896. Small octavo, original pictorial olive cloth. $1600.

First edition of the first book of golf instruction written by a professional, with numerous illustrations.

Park not only played the game professionally, but he operated a successful club manufactory and designed golf courses; notably, this book contains a chapter on golf course architecture, entitled, "Laying Out and Keeping Golf-Links." His British Open victories in 1887 and 1889 set the stage for the introduction of four new clubs of his invention, and made him the most famous club-maker in Britain. Donovan & Murdoch 3690.

Interior clean, small bump to spine, a few minor rubs. A lovely, near-fine copy.