The Nature of the Game

Links Golf at Bandon Dunes and Far Beyond

By: Mike Keiser, Stephen Goodwin

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

Essential reading for every golfer from the sport’s most acclaimed course developer—a comprehensive, firsthand account of restoring the inherent satisfactions of this centuries-old game, from the beauty of natural courses to the joys of walking the course

“Mike Keiser is the best thing to happen to golf since the Big Bertha. He’s the guy who single-handedly saved us from the Fake 100-foot Waterfall Era. He gave us back nature, walking and buddy trips. This is a fascinating read on how in the world he did it.”—Rick Reilly, golf writer

An avid golfer with a demanding career in the greeting card business, Mike Keiser found a new calling on the authentic links courses of Scotland and Ireland. Seized by the beauty of the landscape and the holes running through it, he determined this was how golf was meant to be: inclusive, not private; played on foot, not riding a cart; the courses natural, neither lavish nor contrived. Vowing to transplant this experience to the States, Keiser entered the golf business and, ignoring the advice of experts, built a true links course in Oregon. Bandon Dunes has redefined the game here and become a destination for golfers everywhere.

Those same convictions have now produced other top-ranked courses by Keiser—in Wisconsin, Nova Scotia, Tasmania, and elsewhere—whose magical allure demonstrates what the world’s most gifted golf course architects can accomplish by working on designs that hew to the natural landscape. Keiser’s further commitments—to the caddies, greens crews, and staff at his resorts; to the communities in which they’re located; and to deep environmental stewardship—enhance the singular appeal of these immensely popular courses.

At once an account of inventing a new, life-changing business, a guide to historic course design, and a paean to the sport that has recently experienced a surge of growth, The Nature of the Game is essential listening for every golfer.

*Includes a downloadable PDF containing beautiful photographs and mementos from the printed book

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Mike Keiser, Stephen Goodwin (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Engrossing . . . [Keiser’s] accounts of sometimes contentious debates about particular course designs with the world-class talents he hired to work on his projects—Tom Doak, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw especially—serve as a kind of primer in classic golf architecture. . . . By the end of the book, one begins to suspect that Mr. Keiser’s ability to tolerate and even encourage opposing points of view is at the heart of his success.”—John Paul Newport, The Wall Street Journal

“Mike’s influence on golf courses and the game has simply been remarkable. He’s led a movement to showcase the sheer joy of playing bouncy, sandy, linksy–and FUN!–golf courses. He will have indeed left the game far better than he found it!”—Mike Davis, former CEO, USGA

“Mike Keiser’s work will be studied for generations. I’ve never played a Keiser course that didn’t leave me thrilled and wanting to go back. His latest book with Stephen Goodwin takes you behind the scenes.”—Jerry Tarde, editor in chief of Golf Digest

If you love golf….

Listen to this book! Go to to Bandon. Go to Sand Valley. They are as good as it gets.

True Essence of Golf’s Spirituality

Excellent description of the Links course design and how using the best designers can make all the difference. Fabulous and truly enjoyed listening to this terrific book after spending 7 days and playing 7 courses at Bandon Dunes with the best caddie of my life. Larry blivas

Great Read

The book is just the perfect motivation to schedule yet another golf trip to Bandon. And if you’ve never been to Bandon this book will certainly make you want to book it!

Wonderful golf course building story.

Inspiring story of creativity, golf, real estate and culture building. Just a darn fun golf read.

If you love golf

This is a fantastic book for those loving golf and the links style of sustainability and golf courses.

Great insight into golf’s iconic designer

Having just played Bandon Dunes courses for five days, I wanted some insight into the how the course came about. I was pleasantly surprised that not only was Bandon covered but a number of other courses were covered in great detail. I have some new courses added to my bucket list now.

Fantastic book, well written and narrated

Really enjoyed this one. Not just a golf book, nor is it a memoir, or a business book, yet it satisfies all those cravings