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

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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

April 03, 2013

Golf Channel Viewership Up 10%

April 03, 2013/ Geoff Shackelford

For Immediate Release...

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 3, 2013) – Coming off 2012 as the most-watched year in its 18-year history, Golf Channel has carried the momentum into 2013 with its most-watched quarter ever. The record numbers in first quarter 2013 are built off Golf Channel’s viewership momentum in 2012, which marked the network’s most-watched year ever and drove Golf Channel’s status as the fastest-growing network on U.S. television since joining the NBC Sports Group (among networks serving 80 million or more homes throughout that span).

For 24-hour Total Day (6AM-6AM), 129,000 average viewers per minute were tuned into Golf Channel in first quarter 2013, representing a 10% year-over-year increase compared to first quarter 2012 (117,000), 29% vs. first quarter 2011 (100,000) and 90% vs. first quarter 2010 (68,000), according to data released today by the Nielsen Company.

March 2013 logged the network’s most-watched March mark with 138,000 average viewers per minute for 24-hour Total Day (6 AM-6 AM). So far 2013 has seen the most-watched January, most-watched February (tie), and most-watched March ever. These record numbers combined with Golf Channel serving 25.5 million unique viewers, which included 17 PGA TOUR rounds or programs with million-plus audiences.

MORNING DRIVE NEW SEVEN-DAY FORMAT IS A HIT 
February and March saw Morning Drive embrace a seven-day format in a new world-class studio and audiences are responding in record numbers. Compared to the same timeslot, Morning Drive is up 20% over 2012 and up 83% over 2011 (Feb/Mar Mon-Sun 7-9 AM).

The Ahmad Effect!

THE HANEY PROJECT: MICHAEL PHELPS AND FEHERTY DRIVE MONDAY PRIMETIME 

Monday night primetime (8-11 PM), since the new seasons of Haney Project: Michael Phelps and Feherty launched on Monday, Feb 25, are up 21% vs. 2012 and up 62% vs. 2011 for the same time span.

Poor Rush.

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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Thanks to @collin_morikawa for capping off a great week in style with the lowest final 36 holes in major history, and to the @pga and @pgatour for putting on a safe, well orchestrated week in tough circumstances. Nice of @stephencurry30 to stop by fo

@rorymcilroy, 15th fairway, 2020 @pgachampionship @tpchardingpark. Hoganesque!

@tigerwoods practicing at Harding Park, 2020 @pgachampionship Monday. He looks focused and flexible. Watch the first shot, his tee ball on the 4th with such a full throttle swing he had a bit of a Greg Norman follow-through. With an unfriendly breeze

Unorthodox at the (almost) top, Classic at the finish. @matthew_wolff5 @thegenesisinv

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