A perfect addition to any true golfers coffee table is Golf, As It Was in The Beginning - The Legendary British Open Courses, by Michael J. Fay (Universe Publishing, $40). Illustrated with 150 beautiful, newly commissioned photographs by renowned photographer Michael Freeman, Fay takes the best-of-the-best in creating a perfect round of 18 holes from all the courses that have hosted The Open Championship throughout the ages.

Each chapter features some of the history of the course's role in the history of The Open as well as Fay's in-depth analysis of what makes each hole chosen so special and how to effectively play the hole.

Beautiful to look at, time and time again, it also provides a great travelogue in remembering past rounds and planning future journeys.

FAY'S PERFECT 18

1. PRESTWICK, 384 YARDS, PAR 4
2. SAINT ANDREWS, OLD COURSE, 411 YARDS, PAR 4
3. ROYAL CINQUE PORTS, 494 YARDS, PAR 5
4. MUSSELBURGH, 533 YARDS, PAR 5
5. ROYAL BIRKDALE, 344 YARDS, PAR 4
6. TURNBERRY, AILSA, 222 YARDS, PAR 3
7. ROYAL TROON, 404 YARDS, PAR 4
8. ROYAL LIVERPOOL, 519 YARDS, PAR 5
9. TURNBERRY, AILSA, 454 YARDS, PAR 4
10. MUIRFIELD, 475 YARDS, PAR 4
11. SAINT ANDREWS, OLD COURSE, 172 YARDS, PAR 3
12. ROYAL SAINT GEORGE'S, 365 YARDS, PAR 4
13. CARNOUSTIE, 161 YARDS, PAR 3
14. ROYAL PORTRUSH, 210 YARDS, PAR 3
15. ROYAL LIVERPOOL, 459 YARDS, PAR 4
16. ROYAL LYTHAM AND SAINT ANDREWS, 357 YARDS, PAR 4
17. PRESTWICK, 391 YARDS, PAR 4
18. CARNOUSTIE, 486 YARDS, PAR 5

The best time to discover the joys of the game are when you are young and the Advisor's good friend, John deGarmo, along with Sam Wiley, the head PGA professional at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien, CT, have co-authored a gem to set your children off on a lifetime passion for the game. Hey Kids, Start Golf Right! (Pentland Press, $9.95) is geared towards parents and kids alike.

Divided into three parts the book details swing fundamentals, etiquette and rules, in clear, concise language geared to instill confidence and respect rather than fear of the game.

deGarmo interviewed more than 150 high school and college golfers along with more than 100 teaching professionals while researching the book. There are photographs of actual real students to illustrate the text. The book is motivational as well as instructional, and is not dry as many instructional books tend to be, but filled with interesting jokes, stories, anecdotes and motivational reminders from famous athletes. Lazy Days at Lahinch, by G.A. Finn (Sleeping Bear Press $18.95), is a delightful collection of short stories, sure to amuse anyone who has ever played, or dreamed of playing, the Emerald Isle.

Long before upscale patrons chased little white perfect spheres across the manicured lawns of the Greenbriar's three courses, they were teeing it up on a neighboring farm with gutta perchas and hickorys. Thanks to the vision of Lewis Keller, golf enthusiasts still are, and experiencing golf history first hand.

Oakhurst - The Birth and Rebirth of America's First Golf Course, by Paula Diperna & Lewis' daughter Vikki Keller (Walker, $23.00), chronicles the history of one of America's first golf clubs from its inception right up until the present rebirth and restoration.

As a professional caddie on the European Tour for over 25 years John O' Reilly has seen and heard it all in his travels across the globe carrying the bag for some of the game's best players - Peter Townsend, Des Smith and Padraig Harrington. In The Life of O'Reilly (Sleeping Bear, $18.95) he generously shares his adventures as only an Irish storyteller can spin a yarn.

If you've been guilty of taking the game too seriously lately, an afternoon spent reading David Feherty's, A Nasty Bit of Rough (Rugged Land $23.95), will help you gain back your proper perspective that it is just a game, and a marvelous old game at that. Join the fun as his imaginary uncle, Major General (Ret.) Sir Richard Gussett, leads his club on the quest for the ultimate prize in golf - an interesting relic of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, against their ancient rivals the McGregor clan. Throughout the years, Turnberry's Ailsa course, has been the site of some historic matches and triumphs in golf. One of the best Open Championships in the modern era was contested between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in their epic duel for the Claret Jug down the final stretch in 1977. Michael Corcoran examines this classic match in depth in his Duel in the Sun (Simon & Schuster $24.00).