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

August 31, 2011

Final Comment, John Peterson Debacle...

August 31, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Just one final post on how the USGA's International Team Selection Committee sat down to make a horse and came up with a camel. Peterson, the NCAA Champion and world No. 7 amateur was bypassed for this year's Walker Cup team by the seven person committee, made up of these individuals:

Steve Smyers (Chair)
Tom O'Toole
Jim Williams
Dan Burton
Martha Kirouac
Brigid Shanley Lamb
Martha Lang

This committee picks the teams for the Walker Cup, Curtis Cup and the World Amateur Team Championships, but as you can imagine there are legitimate questions about how much some of these people actually see of the players they are selecting.

I have heard from three different people this week with strong USGA ties. The reactions have ranged from "a sad day for the USGA" to "no logical, rational reason" for excluding Peterson, to "ludicrous" to describe the omission from someone who knows the young man and spoke highly of him. Oh and it was mentioned that he's quite an amazing golfer too.

None of this gets Peterson on the team, but at the very least, the USGA Executive Committee needs to use this oversight to reconsider the structure of this committee to prevent a repeat of an episode that needlessly brings negative attention to the organization and as Ryan Herrington notes, will have an impact on future Walker Cup teams.

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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