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

May 26, 2015

A Royal County Down And Irish Open Primer

May 26, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

For us west coasters the coverage from Royal County Down starts at midnight Wednesday, but with Golf Channel devoting at least 21.5 hours to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, we should have plenty of opportunity to see one of the world's great courses.

Thanks to Rory McIlroy joining forces with the event, a strong field has assembled to see Royal County Down, relive Walker Cup memories or just collect a nice appearance fee.

Either way, I've assembled a primer on the course and Irish Open week at The Loop. We also previewed RCD on Morning Drive.

Also, do read Ran Morrissett's 2006 review of the course. If you haven't been to RCD in a while like myself, or you just want to know about some of the particulars before the telecast starts, it's well worth your time.

Anyone who has a ticket to the sold out event, please let us know how it all goes.

Update on 2015-05-26 16:14 by Geoff

**Left out of my seven items: the vaunted gorse is in bloom, as I learned watching Stephanie Wei's Periscopes from a practice round with Robert Rock giving great insights into the course. And from Kevin Markham, who shared some images of what it looks like. Those who've made the trek to Royal County Down say the gorse in bloom at RCD is one of the more amazing sites in the game. And now, the world will see it in beautiful high definition.

Screen capture of Kevin's shots (embeds not working, sorry):

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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