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

December 13, 2016

Euro Tour's Pelley To Be "Ambitious And Aggressive" In '17

December 13, 2016/ Geoff Shackelford

Alistair Tait reports on the European Tour's annual Golfer off the Year (Henrik Stenson) luncheon where Chief Executive Keith Pelley informed the assembled scribblers, ten-percenters and other necktie-stained types that he plans to be “ambitious and aggressive in 2017.”

While Pelley has just added a new event in May to the tour's total heading steady at a still-bloated 48 tournaments, it's the way the event was added and other promise that earns the relatively new Chief high marks from Tait.

The Canadian has shown a penchant for trying to bring the staid old game of golf into the 21st century with new ideas, such as allowing players to wear shorts, night golf, six-hole golf, enhancing the Tour’s social media department to reach out to younger golf fans, and taking an aggressive line in trying to form a strategic partnership with the Asian Tour.

And this...

We need to cut Pelley some slack, though. He’s trying to move things forward. Let’s hope Rocco Forte is the first of many new sponsors to invest in the European Tour.

It should be fun seeing how much Pelley pushes the boundaries via formats or coupling of swarms of events via the Rolex Series. Will he and new PGA Tour commish Jay Monahan inspire each to outdo the other?

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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