When one comes to the quality of the bunkers and other hazards we pass into realm of much dispute and argument. Primarily bunkers should be sand bunkers purely, not composed of gravel, stones or dirt. Whether this or that bunker is well placed, has caused more intensely heated arguments outside of the realms of religion, than has ever been my lot to listen to. C.B. MACDONALD

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

November 11, 2015

European Tour Ending Year On An Upbeat Note

November 11, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Two pieces of news, while not shocking, should help new European Tour Chief Keith Pelley end the year with good news as the tour faces defections and a possible looming Ryder Cup headache if Paul Casey keeps up his resurgent play.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship has pulled out the checkbook and landed Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth for the January 21-24 event. (Opposite the PGA Tour's CareerBuilder Challenge in La Quinta.) From the wires:

"I am looking forward to coming to Abu Dhabi, especially after Rickie told me about what a fantastic event it is," Spieth, 22, said.

"I love to travel and see the world and I am excited to not only play in the event but also check out Abu Dhabi for the first time."

James Corrigan says Pelley will announce a change in membership requirements which, while not technically changing the number of non-major, non-WGC events a star will have to play, helps those outside the Top 50 club justify maintaining their European Tour membership.

While this will not make much, if any, difference to the members in the world’s top 50 who also play on the PGA Tour, it could be helpful to those such as Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter, who are outside the top 50.

When he was in the same situation, Paul Casey found the two-Tour requirements too arduous and quit the European Tour. Despite rising back into the world’s top 25, Casey has still to rejoin his home circuit, meaning he is ineligible for the Ryder Cup. Pelley has been trying to persuade Casey to sign the forms and so make himself available for Darren Clarke’s side in Hazeltine next year.

Whether the latter of the two bits convinces Casey to reconsider is very much in doubt.

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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