The only course that will remain difficult under all conditions will be one that is designed and kept for golf of a stereotyped, monotonous character, and this makes a most uninteresting proposition. BOBBY JONES
Available via Amazon (US): Golf Architecture For Normal People
Barnes And Noble (online and in stores)
Bookshop.org option to support local independent bookstores.
Reviews:
"Golf Architecture for Normal People . . . should be required reading for those who are not ashamed to admit they know little about the subject, and for those who think they do . . . . Golf course architecture geeks have trouble slimming their thoughts down to bite-sized chunks, but Shackelford has achieved a remarkable success here." —Independent (Ireland)
"From the relative newcomer who’s slowly getting hooked to those that have played the game for most of their lives and think they know a thing or two, Golf Architecture for Normal People provides a solid and sober perspective that will help everyone recognize why some golf courses are worth playing more than once while a single trip around others is all you’re ever likely to want or need." —Links Magazine.
“It’s a wonderful book. An easy read that arrives just in time for your summer reading list. If you’ve never thought about how an appreciation for course design could heighten your enjoyment of the game, you must check this out.”—The Peterborough Examiner
"As in his prior publications, in his newest book Shackelford shows a deep appreciation for what can be done to create a golf course that appeals to the broadest possible golfing audience…Shackelford’s prose is succinct, often witty, and accessible."—Cape Gazette
"Author, blogger and golf architecture expert Geoff Shackelford, who helped Gil Hanse design Rustic Canyon and restore 2023 U.S. Open host Los Angeles Country Club, taps into his passion by creating a guide that helps every golfer understand the nuances of course design. Published by Tatra Press, the 164-page hardcover book is a must-read for every golfer to better understand the game they love." —Golf Pass
"Shackelford provides an informative picture [and]...sprinkles in history lessons about those who planted the game's architectural roots, defines common terms and helps you hone your eyes when it comes to identifying some of the tricks of the trade."—FORE Magazine
"This new book does a great job demystifying golf course design ideas for average players, but can also be a beneficial read fro PGA Professionals and other golf course employees to get a better understanding of their home courses." —PGA Magazine
Masters Mood: All Things Adam Scott
/Adam On Severe Major Setups, Augusta's "Rough"
/Holiday Spirit: Augusta National Clubhouse...In Gingerbread
/While we brace ourselves for a holiday Friday news dump, the holiday spirit is alive and well at Adams Golf, where they Tweeted this photo of a gingerbread Augusta National clubhouse.
A tradition unlike any other - Augusta National gingerbread (club)house courtesy of Adams R&D team pic.twitter.com/yPEa2lhC6m
— Adams Golf (@AdamsGolfInc) December 19, 2013
Video And Poll: Who Is Your 2013 World Player Of The Year?
/"But What If The Ball Had Missed The Stick?"
/2013 In Review: Memorable Moments, Best Majors
/Augusta National Buys More Real Estate
/Guan Wants To Thank Paramor For Masters Slow Play Penalty
/Eger's My Shot: "Ridley isn't my biggest fan."
/Horton Smith's Green Jacket Up For Bid
/Dave Kindred with the backstory on first Masters winner Horton Smith's green jacket--given to him retroactively by the club in 1949--going up for bid.
The auction is handled by who else, but Green Jacket Auctions.
"Of the so-called 'Original 10' jackets," Carey said, "all were accounted for except Smith's. We had kind of given up ever finding it."
Carey's company three years ago sold Doug Ford's 1957 green jacket for $62,967. Heritage Auctions two years ago sold a green jacket that may or may not have been worn by Bobby Jones for $310,700.
Lackovic, 76, a mortgage dealer in suburban Atlanta, and his brother, Tom, kept the Horton Smith jacket after the death of their mother, whose second husband had been Renshaw Smith, Horton's brother and also a professional golfer. On Horton Smith's death in 1963, the jacket passed to Renshaw, who died in 1971. For the 42 years since, the jacket has been in the Lackovic brothers' closets.
"We knew it was part of golf history," Michael Lackovic said. "But we never made a big deal out of it."
$425k Augusta Home Goes For $3.65 Million
/Just A Mood Brightener For Your Midweek Blues: Sergio Garcia Sat Down To Pen Tiger Woods An Apology Note
/There is justice!
I'm not sure why the mental image provides such pleasure--maybe it's the thought of Sergio ala Nicholas Cage in Adaptation working through writers block and taking an hour just to write the words Dear Tiger,--but the handwritten note was the big reveal from Tuesday's U.S. Open press conferences at Merion.
Sam Weinman with the lowdown and final chapter in the saga between these lovebirds...well, until they are paired together.
When bad weather rolled in Monday afternoon, Garcia lost track of Woods and never got a chance to see him again. That left him to leave a note for Woods in the locker room. Whether Woods read it or not is something he wasn't willing to acknowledge -- only saying that Garcia never apologized to him in person and that he had bigger things to worry about.
"It's already done," Woods said. "We've already gone through it all. It's time for the U.S. Open."
Should you want, here are parts of their press conferences. Starting with Sergio.
Ridley Feels Vindicated By The Support He Thinks He Received
/Adam On Moving The Putter A Millimeter Away, Putting On The Green Jacket Every Day
/Jim Tucker focuses on Adam Scott's new morning routine at home of waking up and putting on the green jacket.
Bob Harig on Scott's first press conference since the Masters, where the Masters champ budged a bit on anchoring in the future. A few millimeters to be exact.
In the interest of context, Scott's anchoring remarks in their entirety:
Q. Are you going to be relieved in any way when the USGA and R&A make their final decision on anchoring maybe just to get the debate out of the way? And if they do ban it and the TOUR goes along with it, do you have a backup plan for three years down the road to working a conventional putting method into your practice?
ADAM SCOTT: I think, yeah, I think I'll be relieved when it's all over and we can all get beyond it. I may or may not like the outcome of that, but I think we've all spent enough energy on it now, doing what they're doing.
No, I don't really have a backup plan. I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing and deal with it then. I don't think there will be anything much for me to change. If I have to separate the putter a millimeter from my chest, then I'll do that.
Q. Will three years be enough time to prepare?
ADAM SCOTT: Yeah, tomorrow is enough time for me. I don't see myself putting any different looks‑wise. My hand will be slightly off my chest, probably.