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

December 18, 2014

If Golf Is Still An Olympic Sport In 2024 & The U.S. Hosts...

December 18, 2014/ Geoff Shackelford

...then Los Angeles is the leader in the clubhouse!

I know, I know, golf has to survive its appearances in 2016 and 2020, but as the USOC announced it was moving forward with a bid to host the 2024 in the United States for the first time since 1996, the four bidding host cities have made their initial presentations for what appears to be a decent shot at landing the Olympic Games.

Boston 2024 specified no golf course for the competition, but did suggest that Franklin Park was a potential venue for....equestrian and the pentathlon. Next.

The Washington D.C. pitch also does not commit to a course, but a proposed bill to revitalize a run-down waterfront with a new stadium would include beefing up Langston Golf Course, which could host the golf in the D.C. vision.

San Francisco's 2024 push includes a commitment to Harding Park. The course hosts the 2025 Presidents Cup after it hosts the 2020 PGA Championship. Zzzzz...

And Los Angeles, which hosted games in 1932 and 1984, has Riviera Country Club as its golf venue according to Beth Harris. While the annual Northern Trust Open site is a shell of its former architectural self, it's still one of the elite courses on the PGA Tour and far superior to anything mentioned above.

So based on golf, and a host of other reasons in this Guardian assessment from Bryan Armen Graham, might as well give LA the nod now.

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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