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)

Amazon Australia

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

“Shackelford will guide the reader to an enriching understanding of design. Consider it a primer on the fascinating subject of course architecture. If you don’t know what a template hole is, or a Biarritz, or a Redan, or a Punchbowl, you will be gently educated, and perhaps enjoy playing a course with any of these holes that much more. There’s a lot here, packed into 160 pages.” LORNE RUBENSTEIN, ScoreGolf

September 23, 2009

Monty: Poulter Is Dead To Me!

September 23, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Okay maybe that's a bit of a mischaracterization, but you do have to wonder if we have some aftereffects of a love triangle featuring Faldo-Poulter-Monty since the next Ryder Cup Captain let it be known that he was not pleased Ian Poulter passed on the Seve Trophy. And that was without reading Poulter's Tweets today, which started off recounting his hangover and then appeared to be hijacked by his agent to extol the virtues of family time and gym time. It's all quite touching I tell you.

Six players from Britain and Ireland and two from continental Europe are not at St-Nom-la-Bretèche for what used to be called the Seve Trophy in honour of the Spanish player Seve Ballesteros. Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer are injured and Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald are playing in the Tour championship in Atlanta, but Poulter joined Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Sergio García in turning down their places on teams led by Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn.

"I just feel that when you are selected for your country more of an effort might well have been made," said Montgomerie, who is in attendance to watch potential members of his side for Celtic Manor next October. "Ian Poulter, not having qualified for the Tour championship and having been picked for the last Ryder Cup team [Westwood, Rose and García all qualified], I felt that a little more effort might have been made to come here.

"I spoke to Miguel Angel Jiménez. He's never missed one of these and never would miss one. Good for him and I'm the same and Paul McGinley the same and Thomas. I haven't spoken to Ian at all. Please don't make any big issue of this.

Oh why would we do that?

A sampling of Poulter's reaction on Twitter:

Geoff Shackelford

Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning Drive, is co-host of The Ringer's ShackHouse is the author of eleven books.

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