Miles Bennett
A yardage book is a tool used by golfers to help them strategize their game. It contains detailed information about the golf course, such as diagrams of each hole with distances from various points, suggested putting lines, slopes, and yardages to specific points. Yardage books have evolved over time, with modern ones being more accurate and detailed than their predecessors. They are now created using advanced technology, such as surveying instruments, aerial shots, and drones, to map out the course. While some golfers prefer using technology like GPS devices or apps, yardage books are still widely used and considered beneficial for improving one's golf game, especially in tournaments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Yardage books are believed to have originated in the 1960s when golfer Jack Nicklaus played with a small notebook in his back pocket during a major championship. |
| Usage | Yardage books are used by golfers and caddies to provide information about a golf course, including hole overviews, distances, and green readings. |
| Types | There are three main types of yardage books: Level 1 (generic), Level 2 (advanced), and Level 3 (comprehensive). |
| Features | Yardage books can include diagrams of holes, distances from various points, arrows indicating slope, elevation changes, wind direction, and more. |
| Benefits | Yardage books can help golfers visualize the course, plan their shots, and improve their decision-making. |
| Availability | Yardage books can be purchased online or in pro shops, with prices ranging from $10 to $50. |
| Alternatives | Golfers can also use Distance Measuring Devices (DMDs), golf GPS devices, or golf apps to access similar information. |
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What You'll Learn
History of yardage books
In the 1950s, yardage books were not as common as they are today. Golfers and caddies considered reading the hole more of an art form. Everything was done by eye, and golfers would often mark their spots based on the location of bunkers, trees, and other landmarks.
The yardage book is believed to have originated in the 1960s, with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as its pioneers. In the early 1960s, Jack Nicklaus played with a small notebook in his back pocket, believed to be the first player to do so in a major championship. Deane Berman, who was later appointed PGA Tour commissioner in 1974, also played a significant role in the development of yardage books. Beginning in 1954, he started mapping out and measuring important yardages on the golf courses he played. Berman's methods were adopted by Nicklaus, who went on to win the 1961 U.S. Amateur.
However, it wasn't until the 1970s that yardage books caught on with professional golfers. Over time, the books have evolved to become more detailed and accurate. Golf courses are now mapped using advanced technology, including surveying instruments, aerial shots, and drones. This information is then used to create detailed illustrations, diagrams, and topographical details of each hole, helping golfers navigate the course and determine the best strategies.
Today, yardage books are an essential tool for golfers at all levels, providing exact distances from point A to point B, as well as topographical information such as slopes, suggested putting lines, and distances to significant parts of a hole. PGA Tour courses produce new yardage books annually to ensure that even the slightest changes are accurately recorded.
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How to make a yardage book
Yardage books are an essential tool for golfers, providing them with the knowledge to navigate the challenges of a course and play each hole successfully. They contain detailed information about distances, hazards, and green complexes for every hole on the golf course. While yardage books are available for purchase, golfers can also create their own. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a yardage book:
Step 1: Gather Information
Start by gathering information about the golf course. Measure distances from tee boxes to the centre, back, and front of the greens. Note down carry distances to specific points such as bunkers, the widest part of the fairway, hazards, and trees. Collect details about green complexes, including slopes, suggested putting lines, and distances to significant parts of the hole. Utilise modern technology, such as surveying instruments, aerial shots, and drones, to gather accurate data.
Step 2: Organise Content
Arrange the information in a coherent and logical manner. Each hole typically gets its own page, with key sections including notes about the hole, a hole overview, and a green map. The hole overview should provide insights into the shape, look, and feel of the fairway, boundaries, and pin location. The green map should have a grid that reflects yardage and fall lines, helping golfers anticipate shot trajectories.
Step 3: Visuals and Icons
Enhance the yardage book with visuals and icons to make it more engaging and informative. Use colours to represent different areas of the golf course: dark green for the rough, white for out of bounds, orange for drop zones, blue for water hazards, and brown for sand traps. Include diagrams and images to illustrate the various features of the course, such as bunkers, trees, and hazards. Ensure that the icons are consistent and clearly represent the features they signify.
Step 4: Design and Layout
Determine the overall aesthetic, look, and feel of your yardage book. Consider the size, font, and layout. Yardage books are typically similar in size to a 3.5 by 5.5-inch field notes pad, but they can also be larger, especially if advertisements are included. Choose a font that is readable and aligns with the course branding, and consider using two complementary fonts to distinguish different sections.
Step 5: Templates and Software
Utilise pre-made templates available online or create your own using design software. Websites like flaghunting.com offer tutorial series and pre-made templates to guide you through the process. Alternatively, you can use free software like Inkscape or PowerPoint to design your yardage book. Consider the level of detail you want in your yardage book, whether it's a basic overview or comprehensive information for elite players.
Step 6: Finalise and Print
Once you have gathered all the information and designed your yardage book, finalise the layout and proofread the content for accuracy. Include a front and back cover, and consider adding a few pages for notes about the course or advertisements. Finally, print your yardage book, and consider purchasing a yardage book holder to protect it from moisture and wear and tear.
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Types of yardage books
Yardage books are an essential tool for golfers, providing valuable information about the course, greens, and holes. They have evolved since their early days in the 1950s and 1960s, when golfers like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer popularised them by using small notebooks during championships. Today, yardage books offer detailed insights, thanks to modern technology, and are widely used across skill levels.
There are three main types of yardage books catering to golfers with different needs and experience levels:
Level 1: Generic Yardage Books
These yardage books offer a basic hole-by-hole overview and are perfect for beginners. Priced between $10-20, they provide more information than a typical scorecard, covering distances to the green, bunkers, and tee boxes. They are usually available in pro shops and are a great starting point for those new to the sport or looking for a simple reference guide.
Level 2: Advanced Yardage Books
Retailing between $20-40, these yardage books cater to lower handicap golfers who want more detailed information. They include extra insights about greens, fairway slopes, distances from the back of tee boxes, and other course-specific details. These books are a step up from the generic versions and are designed for golfers who want to refine their strategies and improve their game.
Level 3: Comprehensive Yardage Books
The final level of yardage books is the most detailed and comprehensive. Examples include PuttView, which offers three different books priced at $29, $39, and $49. These books provide extensive information about each hole, including elevation changes, run-off slopes, and more. They are designed for elite players who want to maximise their performance and have all the data needed to make informed decisions on the course.
While yardage books are a popular choice, golfers can also opt for alternative options like golf GPS devices, apps, or even traditional paper pin sheets, which provide pin locations for all 18 holes on a course. Each golfer can choose the reference material that suits their preferences and playing style, ensuring they have the tools needed to succeed on the green.
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What's in a pro yardage book?
A yardage book is a small booklet or pamphlet that contains illustrations, pictures, or diagrams of each hole on a golf course. It provides golfers or caddies with the distance, usually measured in yards or meters, from Point A (where the ball is or will likely be) to Point B (where the golfer wants the ball to land). This helps golfers determine the best club for each shot.
Yardage books can be generic or tailored to a specific course. Generic yardage books are usually available in pro shops and are great for beginners as they offer a simple hole-by-hole overview. More advanced yardage books include extra information about greens, fairway slopes, and distances from the back of tee boxes. The most comprehensive yardage books are usually $40-$50 and provide detailed information about each hole on the golf course.
Before a tournament, professional golfers will study the layout of each page of their yardage book to determine a strategy for each hole. They will also use the book to learn about the slope of the greens and how they move. During practice rounds, professionals study the green contours to identify the best areas for putting. When approaching a green, professionals consider the entire landing area, not just the pin, to determine the best spot for the ball to land.
Yardage books are often used in conjunction with pin sheets, which provide in-depth information about the pin location and the size of the green to inform approach shot strategy. Pin sheets are usually reserved for competitive events at high-end golf courses.
Today, golfers can also use digital yardage book apps, which provide detailed images of each hole on a golf course and allow users to zoom in on key features. These apps are GPS-enabled, so distances to course features automatically update as the user moves around the course.
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Yardage books vs. distance measuring devices
Yardage books and distance-measuring devices (DMDs) are both tools used in golf to help players determine distances and plan their shots. While yardage books have been around for decades, DMDs are a more recent development, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Yardage books are small guides, often custom-made for specific golf courses, that provide detailed information about each hole. This includes the hole number and layout, total distance from each tee box, distances to hazards and bunkers, an overview of the green, and more. They are typically measured in yards or meters and help golfers select the appropriate club for each shot. Yardage books have evolved over time, becoming more detailed and accurate, with modern technology such as surveying instruments, aerial shots, and drones being used to gather information. While they are very useful, yardage books may not be readily available for all golf courses and can be cumbersome to carry around.
Distance-measuring devices, on the other hand, provide a more modern and technological approach to distance measurement in golf. DMDs can include smartphone apps, GPS devices, and laser rangefinders. These devices offer convenience and accuracy, often providing the same data as yardage books but in a more compact and easily accessible form. Many top courses still provide analog yardage books, but DMDs are becoming increasingly popular. Golf apps, for example, can provide added analytics and detailed shot tracking, while laser rangefinders can assist in decision-making without the need to carry a physical book. However, DMDs may come with a significant cost, and using a smartphone app may be distracting due to notifications and can drain the device's battery.
Both yardage books and DMDs have their advantages and dedicated users. Some golfers prefer the simplicity and tangibility of a yardage book, while others favour the technological advancements and convenience of DMDs. In fact, many golfers and professionals use a combination of both, benefiting from the different features each offers. While DMDs provide quick and accurate distance measurements, yardage books offer a more comprehensive overview of the course, helping golfers visualise their strategy.
In conclusion, the choice between a yardage book and a distance-measuring device ultimately depends on personal preference, playing style, and budget. Yardage books offer a traditional, detailed guide to the course, while DMDs provide modern convenience and accuracy. By understanding the benefits of each, golfers can make an informed decision to choose the tool that best suits their game.
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Frequently asked questions
Yardage books are used by golfers to help them strategize their game. They contain diagrams of each hole with distances from various points, the best angle of attack, carry distances, and yardages to specific points on the course.
Yardage books do not give a golfer a plan to visualize two to three strokes from their current situation to determine which club to use next. DMDs, on the other hand, are electronic devices that provide a lot of the same data as yardage books but often cost thousands of dollars.
Yardage books are usually available in pro shops for golf courses. They can also be purchased online.
