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

June 04, 2013

Best Qualifying Story Yet; Fire Up Air Finchem Sunday!

June 04, 2013/ Geoff Shackelford

This is now the third great story of a player from yesterday's U.S. Open Sectional qualifying and Jim Achenbach has it as did Tom Cade at USGA.org.

It seems 34-year-old Wil Collins of Albuquerque "was shadowed during every step of the 36-hole competition" by his 72-year-old teacher, Dave Walters who Achenbach says "is typical of so many PGA club professionals teaching the game in relative anonymity."

Anyway, go on and read about how Walters saw talent, detected a kid who would have to sneak on the country club, and took him under his wing and got him course access. And a game.

Now they're headed to Merion.

Collins is the third player I know of (are there more) who is going to play this weeks debut of the PGA Tour Canada (formerly known as the Canadian Tour) in Victoria, BC. (Jesse Smith, reported on by Brendan Prunty here and MacKenzie Hughes , reported on by Kent State athletics (in his Golf Channel interview with David Marr, Hughes was so overcome by the moment and obviously so locked in that he forgot what state the US Open was in this year!).

Victoria's a long way and multiple connecting flights from Merion, but so far all three players have said in their Golf Channel interviews that they are still playing, then figuring out how to get to Philadelphia to play the biggest event of their lives.

Since this is the launch event of the PGA Tour's involvement in Canada, and the since the jet might not be busy Sunday night shipping the Commish to important meetings, how about loaning Air Finchem I or II to take these lads and their loopers from Victoria to Merion and ensure that PGA Tour Canada's best are ready to put on a good show at Merion? Just hide the Robb Reports and maybe take the hard stuff out of the refrigerator. Get them and their clubs to Philly because they're all great stories who will, uh, platform the PGA Tour Canada brand.

What say you Commissioner?

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!

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