A History of Golf Illustrated by Sir Henry Cotton

I recently read A History of Golf Illustrated by the venerable Sir Henry Cotton, published in 1975. Sam Snead wrote the forward.

As student of our great game, of course I enjoy learning both the history and folklore. Sir Henry, being such a giant in golf, relates many firsthand accounts of his interactions with other greats in the game throughout the mid-20th century.

But he doesn’t start nor stop there. Sir Henry traverses golf from its very humble and hardly recognizable beginnings, through the development of new technologies (such as balls, clubs and footwear), continuing through the first and second world wards, they massive expansion of competitive golf in the post-war years, right up to the date of writing, 1975.

The latter chapters focus on women in golf, the caddie, and technique.

I’m not sure how many golf history books have been published over the years. The total must be close to one thousand or beyond. I’ve only read a few, but thoroughly enjoyed A History of Golf Illustrated.

You can learn more about Sir Henry Cotton on the Golf Europe website here. I’ve also included the biography below.

Sir Henry Cotton (1907 - 1987)

Born Cheshire, England, Cotton is remembered as one of Britain's golf luminaries this century.

Cotton came from an upper middle class background and went to public school . Already this gives us some insight into the man in terms of the social hierarchy and class divisions which existed within British society at the time. At school, he was banned from playing cricket as a punishment and instead started to playing golf. He was a natural and turned professional upon leaving school at 17.

He was the top British golfer of his time and went on to win the Open 3 times. Indeed he was the only British golfer to win between 1914 and 1989. He also played in four Ryder Cup tournaments. Cotton, like Walter Hagen, brought to the game flamboyance and style, "The best is always good enough for me". Indeed he was well known for his penchant for champagne, caviar and tailored clothing.

Cotton found the establishment's poor treatment of professionals unacceptable and campaigned against it. He always insisted on honorary membership of whichever club he was associated with. He also helped to set up the Golf Foundation. However, it is the way in which he conducted himself which helped more than anything else to earn professionals the respect they deserved.

When World War II broke out, he was given a commission in the Royal Air Force. During that time he helped to organise a series of exhibition matches with other professionals in aid of the Red Cross. This earned him an M.B.E. After the war, Cotton retired and became a journalist, writer and course designer. He designed the Penia course in the Algarve, Portugal and spent his last years living there.

In recognition of his contribution to British golf, the R&A awarded him honorary membership in 1968. A few days before he died he was awarded a knighthood.