I had the fortunate experience of talking long hours with Donald Ross more than thirty years ago, ad the unhappy experience of writing his obituary in 1948 for The Pinehurst Outlook. He was a strict man, with himself and everybody else, and he looked distastefully on amateurs who didn't do anything with their lives except play golf. He thought, really thought, and all those thoughts were channeled through golf. If golf can be regarded as some kind of religion among some people, then Ross regarded Pinehurst as his Vatican City. CHARLES PRICE

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

September 23, 2021

All Hail Yale! Restoration Of The Macdonald Masterwork Finally Set To Happen

September 23, 2021/ Geoff Shackelford

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Longtime readers know we’ve been through many ups and downs over Yale Golf Course, which, despite the university in question and many other factors that should prevent its masterful CB Macdonald/Seth Raynor design from ever falling into disrepair, has been a total soap opera. It’s doubly painful since the course hosts tournaments and has actually been a more affordable option for good players in the area.

Finally, after horrible changes by Roger Rulewich and overall decline, an agreement has been reached to do a proper restoration. Bradley Klein reports on Gil Hanse getting the gig to rejuvenate Yale Golf Course.

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.