The Advisor has spent the winter cozied up with a few great new golf books. First, we can't wait for the snow to thaw so we can try out the excellent instruction presented in How to Play Links Golf by Martin Davis featuring Colin Montgomerie and the Turnberry Professional Staff in conjunction with the PGA of Great Britain ($50.00, The American Golfer -- 203-862-9720). There is a splendid forward by Donald Steel, renown as the world's leading authority on links golf, to set the tone and get you ready to grab your clubs for a serious practice session. The instruction is clearly told in text that accompanies excellent photos of Monty masterfully executing the shots. The instruction is all geared towards those shots and philosophy which will improve your scores and enjoyment of links golf. The classic bump and run, playing in the elements, bunker play -- both greenside and fairway, punch shots and conquering the wind through the green and on the putting surface are all covered. For some practical applications and one-on-one instruction from the authors check into the PerryGolf Lodges at Turnberry with your best golfing buddies this spring. Located directly across from the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy at Turnberry and the Ailsa and new Kintyre courses it is the perfect place to hone the skills shown in this must have addition to a keen links golfer's library.

One of our favorite reads this season is by the Advisor's good friend, Lorne Rubenstein, A Season in Dornoch -- Golf and Life in the Scottish Highlands ($23.00, Simon & Schuster), chronicles a summer that Lorne and his lovely wife Nell spent in this magical small highland village. Even the hoopla of Madonna's wedding can't change the charm of the town and the people who live there. Known as the home of America's adopted golfing son, Donald Ross, it is also home to the spirit of links golf. Those who are frequent visitors to this hauntingly beautiful part of the world will recognize many of the books real life stars, including Alan Grant and David Thomson from the neighboring Carnegie Club, the Dornoch Bookstore and the course itself - Royal Dornoch. But Lorne does more than describe the golf in detail he explores the area and its complicated and dramatic history and how it has had an effect on those who love the area. For anyone who has ever treasured their time in the Highlands or has thought about making the journey, this book will touch your golfing soul.

The Advisor is having to buy new coffee tables to accommodate all the great titles Sleeping Bear Press continues to deliver. This season has brought hours of pleasure from pouring over The Art of Golf Design, Golf Landscapes by Michael G. Miller / Essays by Geoff Shackelford ($65.00) and The Scrapbook of Old Tom Morris, complied by David Joy ($45.00). The Art of Golf Design combines the provocative insight of Shackelford, who is becoming one on the world's most respected golf architecture analysts, with the bold and imaginative paintings by Miller of the world's greatest courses, from the Old Course at St. Andrews to Augusta National and everywhere in between. The book is a true visual, as well as cerebral, celebration of the essence of the game. If you have ever spent time in St. Andrews, you may well have come across the reincarnation of Old Tom Morris, in the form of David Joy, who expertly transforms himself into his alter ego. To experience Joy's portrayal of Morris is to feel transported in time to the beginnings of the modern era of golf. So who better to compile Old Tom's scrapbook of all his career accomplishments, friends, important documents, photographs and thoughts. Done in true scrapbook style, this fascinating personal glimpse into one of golf's most beloved heroes will provide not only hours of enterta inment but a valuable education into Scottish golf.

For a little light bedside or plane reading Cut Short, a golf thriller, by John R. Corrigan ($ 22.95 Sleeping Bear Press) is a worthy choice. It tells the story of Jack Austin, a 10 year, non-winning veteran of the PGA TOUR, but whose life is still great as he has the girl, a swing to make a living and his integrity, until involvement with an unsavory sponsor threatens his world. Dan Jenkins, golf's leading humorist is also back with The Money-Whipped Steer-Job Three-Jack Give-Up Artist ($24.95, Doubleday). In traditional Jenkins-style, the life and hard times of Bobby Joe Grooves as he pursues his life long dream of making the Ryder Cup are humorously portrayed with memorable characters you'll enjoy getting to know.

And finally, if you are making plans to play in the Father Son or Daughter tournament in 2012 or beyond, Foursome the Spider ($15.95, Sleeping Bear Press) is a marvelous way to introduce your offspring to the game. Foursome teaches all the insects how to play together with a stick and a seed, making him the original 'Golf Bug.'