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
Barnes And Noble (online and in stores)
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
Phil Mickelson embraces Golf Saudi’s Majed Al Sorour (John Phillips/LIV Golf/Getty Images)
Former PGA Tour winner Joe Ogilvie has retired and gone into managing private equity but took to Twitter to offer this fascinating analogy of the current affairs pitting the PGA Tour vs. the Public Investment Fund Of Saudi Arabia.
Professional golf has just entered the unbundling phase. @TigerWoods first professional @PGATOUR event was almost 26 years ago, which led to the bundling of talent on one tour. Purses on the @PGATOUR went up, TV revenue went up and quality of all tournaments were elevated.
— Joe Ogilvie (@ogilviej) June 10, 2022
@PGATOUR had a massive advantage, 3/4 majors are on US soil , tournaments were better, purses much larger and players only had to traverse 3 time zones. World golf had no chance and the flywheel started. Finchem created the WGCs and #FedExCup, global talent was hooked.
— Joe Ogilvie (@ogilviej) June 10, 2022
Then along came negative interest rates. This bizarre idea conjured up by central bankers came along in Europe in 2014 (Japan & Sweden were 1st) and got progressively crazier through 2019. This caused private equity money to explode, with seemingly free money, new ideas are born.
— Joe Ogilvie (@ogilviej) June 10, 2022
Rival #golf tours started to come out of stealth mode around 2018, which makes sense. If $1 today is worth less than $1 10 years from now, why not spin up a professional golf league? #COVID paused things, but then the greatest asset bubble in history ensued.
— Joe Ogilvie (@ogilviej) June 10, 2022
Now there was not 1 rival tour (@premgolfleague) but 2! @LIVGolfInv pressed the accelerator down to the floor w/the greatest funding source in the world, at the exact same time the bubble started to burst and inflation exploded. Convenience and money are really compelling.
— Joe Ogilvie (@ogilviej) June 10, 2022
The same exact thing that brought the global golfer to the @PGATOUR, (convenience and money,) @LIVGolfInv multiplied by 3-5X. Rhymes a whole lot with what @netflix did, shot a money cannon straight through Hollywood…it also unbundled the TV/cable package. So what comes next?
— Joe Ogilvie (@ogilviej) June 10, 2022
@PGATOUR is in a pickle. They have the legacy & resources to compete, they also have relationships. You know who is the #ObiWan of golf? Chairman Fred Ridley. @LIVGolfInv killed it on their debut. Many more will jump ship, the money is too compelling, these guys run a business.
— Joe Ogilvie (@ogilviej) June 10, 2022
I doubt there is another league, unless @DPWorldTour partners w/ one…interest rates are going up & the money spigot is shutting. I doubt the guys who have jumped ship are banned forever by the @PGATOUR, eventually there will be bundling again.
— Joe Ogilvie (@ogilviej) June 10, 2022
The ball is in the @PGATOUR’s court but the clock is ticking. The golf world awaits a plan, hope they come up with a good one…
— Joe Ogilvie (@ogilviej) June 10, 2022
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
