Terroir of Golf 15.0

The Book

Many of you are immediately thinking...what's a terroir, and what does it have to do with golf travel?

For those of you who don't grow grapes or speak French, the word "terroir" originated as a French word describing the collective characteristics that impact farm plant products. Over many generations, the word terroir became more closely associated with the growing of grapes for the production of fine wine. The Terroir, came to mean anything that would or could impact the eventual quality of the grape, such as sunshine, rain, soil chemical composition, and/or anything else Mother Nature could think of to create a fine quality grape, or leave the grower with a raisin.

Taba Dale is a friend of mine and is the first to my knowledge to associate the word terroir with the creation of exceptional golf courses. In her book Terroir of Golf, she recognizes a symbiotic relationship between the production of fine wine and the creation of amazing golf courses.

Only after reading this book did I come to realize the terroir impacts a golf course much the same as it impacts the growing of grapes. Think of it this way: Imagine the Augusta National golf course for Masters week, vs. your local Muni with its patchy dirt greens and weed-ridden fairways. The only difference is Terroir. Immediately, you may think, the difference is money. Well, money can buy terroir. Get the picture?

I'm creating this post to introduce you to Taba and her book, Terroir of Golf. This book is a collection of her stories, traveling the world (see, it is about golf travel) to visit and play some of its greatest golf courses, many of which were created by vineyard owners and wine producers such as Ernie Els, Greg Norman, and others.

If you love great wine and amazing golf courses, you must have this book. I will leave you with a link where you can learn more about the book and purchase it. Below the link, I'm also including a copy of my review of this book on Amazon:

For more information about Terroir of Golf, click below

https://scottsdalecollection.com/new-terroir-of-golf/aff/5

My Amazon Review

5.0 out of 5 stars -  A Love Affair with Golf & Wine

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2025

Format: Hardcover

I recently discovered Taba Dale's new book, Terroir of Golf - A Golf Book for Wine Lovers, at the PGA (golf) Show. Being an avid golfer for 50 years and a lover of fine wine, I immediately ordered a copy. As a writer myself, for something I'm truly interested in, I take my time in reading it to consume, contemplate, savor, digest, and reflect. It took me 14 days to read the book, but my impression can be summed up in one word. I was simply gobsmacked. If you are not familiar with the word, look it up and add it to your vocabulary. As a wine lover who has visited many of the Napa Wineries and even traveled to Bordeaux, I was very acquainted with the word terroir, but had never associated the word with golf. After reflection, I realized the terroir of wine and golf are the same. They are just used for different purposes. I never thought of it that way. Ms. Dale is an obvious world traveler who has played many of the greatest golf courses on the planet and describes them in great detail. In keeping with the title of the book, she focuses on writing about courses, owners, golfers, and architects that have some attachment to the production of great wine. Her choice of words can remind one of Shakespeare, while some of the photographs beg to be painted by Van Gogh or Cezanne. The author is also noted as an art dealer. Perhaps in a future edition, we may see golf, wine, and art all paired like magnets that attract. This book is not some weekend thought of...." Oh, I think I'll write a book." It is a collection of stories and interviews that have occurred over many years. For most of us, we will never meet the people she speaks of or play many of the great golf courses she describes. But through her words, we can share what it was like. If you like golf and wine, you must purchase this book.

Larry Hall