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

October 19, 2015

Do PGA Tour Brass Even Care About Opening Week?

October 19, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Of course not. Why should they?

It's only in Napa, home to some of the world's best winemakers and mosty dreamy October days. But when the golf season never ends, even the 7-Series set from Ponte Vedra has to put down their leather folios, power down their Blackberry's, un-roll their Oxford sleeves and give the expense tab a break.

Still, to pick the opening event on the 2015-16 PGA Tour schedule to go incognito was bizarre, especially as a title sponsor exits and a new one enters.

While every sport celebrates their opening day(s) with some fanfare, the PGA Tour treated the Frys.com as just another fall event despite the tempting wine options.

AP's Doug Ferguson noted the oddball no-show from the @pgatourhq.com set.

Announcement of new title sponsor. Opening event on PGA Tour season. And haven't seen anyone here all week from PGA Tour HQ.
— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) October 18, 2015

It's a shame the tour couldn't muster much passion for the new season even though most of us share the same view that it's too soon to start a new year. But the Frys.com Open folks wanted to make this a great kickoff and Johnny Miller/Silverado/Safeway hope to do the same for the next five years.

Still, the fans just aren't watching as the first two days of ratings show. Even with Friday east coast primetime coverage, the live PGA Tour just barely beat Champions Tour coverage in non-prime time hours despite solid production values and a decent field. The fans are just not that interested in the PGA Tour this time of year, no matter how many FedExCup points are at stake.

The numbers for Frys.com Open Thursday:

0.0 193,000 viewer average over 3:02

The numbers for Friday:

PGA Tour 0.0 185,000 viewer average over 3:20 (east coast primetime)

Champions Tour 0.0 164,000 viewer average over 3:02

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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