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 23, 2012

Another Gleneagles Redo Unveiled This Week

August 23, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

It's a long and not particularly shocking story but the saga of Gleneagles' Centenary course goes something like this: celebrity designer creates very modern design that doesn't go over well, new architect comes in and makes things worse according to players who might be future captains (here and here), celebrity comes back to restore his design and, voila, we have the many-times remodeled host of the 2014 Ryder Cup. And this week's Johnnie Walker Championship, the final 2012 Ryder Cup qualifying course.

Thanks to reader John for the European Tour update on the new (again) 18th hole unveiled on a soggy Gleneagles Centenary. Tournament director David Williams is happy:

“The 18th is now going to be very good as a tournament 18th and as a Ryder Cup 18th,” he said. “It is very birdieable but if you miss the green it is not that easy to up and down it.

“The hole has been shortened from 531 yards to 513, the tees have been raised and while the layup area to the green has been levelled, the green is raised and now fairly narrow. Ideally we want the longer hitters going in with a four iron or a rescue club, and we want everyone to be able to go at it in two so it becomes a risk and reward hole. There have also been some bunkers taken out and changed to run off areas to test the chipping.”

The best solution for what ails us--contesting the Ryder Cup on about the most inferior venue possible in a country loaded with fantastic courses--remains John Huggan's suggestion to create a composite course using all Gleneagles layouts.

The opening round scores can be viewed here.

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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