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)
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
Homa In Form, Phil's PGA Status And Pebble's 8th Gets A Green Fix
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Pebble Beach Adds U.S. Opens, U.S. Women's Opens And Sticks The Seniors At Spyglass
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They just keep on locking up venues without still confirming 2028 at Winged Foot or 2031 that’ll be coming to a bit of a surprise course already pretty booked up with big time events in the next six years. No one ever said the USGA was original.
Whether this increased use of familiar places on a more regular basis takes some bite out of U.S. Open excitement, remains to be seen.
Of course, locking in these venues years from now mostly seems to remind us of our mortality instead of serving as causes for celebration.
For Immediate Release:
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (April 20, 2022) – Building upon a nearly century-long relationship, the United States Golf Association and Pebble Beach have forged a landmark partnership that seeks to benefit the game of golf for generations to come.
As part of today’s announcement, Pebble Beach will now host four future U.S. Opens (2027, 2032, 2037 and 2044) as well as four future U.S. Women’s Opens Presented by ProMedica, including its first one next year (2023, 2035, 2040 and 2048). These additional championships fulfill a common goal to ensure that both men and women have the opportunity to compete at the highest level on this iconic course. In addition, for the first time ever, the U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be staged back-to-back at the same location in 2030, with the resort’s Spyglass Hill Golf Course serving as the host site.
“This relationship with Pebble Beach, long considered a national treasure, is a historic step forward for golf,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “In addition to elevating our Open championships, the USGA and Pebble Beach are committed to working together to ensure a more diverse, welcoming and accessible game. We couldn’t be more thankful for their collaboration and like-minded vision.”
“We are honored to deepen our long-standing partnership with the USGA, which will benefit the game of golf for years to come,” said Pebble Beach Company CEO David Stivers. “We are proud that Pebble Beach Golf Links was the first public golf course to host a U.S. Open in 1972, and that golfers around the world have the opportunity to play Pebble Beach and walk in the footsteps of champions. This partnership ensures that the legacy of championship golf on this historic course will continue long into the future and leave a lasting impact on the game.”
The long-term nature of the championship agreement allows the USGA and Pebble Beach Resorts to invest and collaborate in new and innovative ways to enhance the player, fan, partner and media experience.
The relationship between the USGA and Pebble Beach began in 1929 with the 33rd U.S. Amateur Championship, and the resort has played host to 13 USGA championships during its first 100 years of existence, including six U.S. Opens, five U.S. Amateurs and two U.S. Women’s Amateurs, with another 10 championships to come over the next 25 years.
U.S. Opens through the years at Pebble Beach have matched the dramatic setting. In 1972, Jack Nicklaus hit the flagstick with a 1-iron shot on No. 17 to ensure victory; in 1982, Tom Watson denied Jack a record-breaking fifth title with his pitch-in birdie on the same hole; in 1992, veteran Tom Kite rode a pitch-in birdie on No. 7 to a wind-buffeted win; in 2000, Tiger Woods authored the most dominant victory in major-championship history in the 100th U.S. Open; in 2010, Graeme McDowell outlasted a trio of major champions, including Woods; and in 2019, Gary Woodland’s heroic 3-wood second shot on No. 14 helped him hold off Brooks Koepka’s bid for a third consecutive U.S. Open title. The 2019 championship marked Pebble Beach’s 100th anniversary.
Beyond the future championships, the USGA and Pebble Beach are developing community-based programs to create internships and other career opportunities for the next generation of industry leaders. The expanded relationship also includes a joint initiative with the USGA’s Green Section to invest in turfgrass and water conservation research, contributing to the entities’ shared goal of creating enjoyable golf experiences that are environmentally and economically sustainable.
“Through this relationship, we aim to foster opportunities for future greats of the game, to nurture golf’s next generation of leaders and to develop new technologies for a sustainable future, all while crowning champions who will follow the legends who walked these hallowed grounds before them,” said Whan.
“Supporting youth education is a pillar of our community outreach and this partnership will greatly expand opportunities for young people to pursue a career in this industry,” said Stivers. “For over 30 years, Pebble Beach and its neighboring golf courses have operated the most successful water reclamation project on California’s Central Coast. The USGA Green Section will provide powerful new technology and research to help pioneer new innovations in water conservation.”
In an effort to return to venues with deep and meaningful USGA championship history every five to six years, Pebble Beach Resorts joins Pinehurst Resort & Country Club and Oakmont Country Club as a U.S. Open anchor site. Here is the complete list of future USGA championships at Pebble Beach:
Quadrilateral: Major(s) News & Notes, April 21, 2022
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Whew, busy week. Part catch-up after the Masters and plenty of other fresh stuff too.
The PGA Club Pro has sent 20 to Tulsa and I have their names!
2022 AT&T Ratings Down, Continuing A Trend For The Event
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In a new date one week earlier than normal, the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach took a ratings hit.
Over the last four years, the AT&T’s final round numbers:
2022 1.87/3.1 million
2021 2.55/4.2 million (no pro-am)
2020 2.27/3.5 million
2019 2.39/3.7 million
The most surprising decline may be Saturday coverage, once a popular viewing day:
2022 1.11/1.8 million
2021 1.50/2.37 million (no pro-am)
2020 1.58/2.4 million
2019 1.93/2.9 million
For some past numbers, Paulsen at SportsMediaWatch.com offered ratings from 2003 to 2013 that included the 4.9 for 2009’s Tiger-Phil showdown.
What ate into the numbers in 2022? The Beijing Olympics might be to blame for Saturday’s rating on what was an otherwise light day of sports options. It’s a shame, as CBS presented a really good show a little lighter on celebrities, heavier on tournament coverage and full of breathtaking moments (i.e. Jordan Spieth’s cliffhanger, amazing aerials).
The 2022 final round was almost certainly impacted by going up against the NFL Pro Bowl and NASCAR “Clash at the Coliseum” qualifying and race.
Incidentally, the Saudi event where several former AT&T winners and other name players took place in the early hours , did not draw a rating for any of its four rounds.
Jordan On A Special Week At Pebble: "You don't want to leave."
/While a late bogey cost a few other small mistakes cost Jordan Spieth the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he (A) still managed to find his way to the interview room afterwards and (B) said glowing things unrelated to his sponsorship obligations. (Yes, I’m thinking of players raving about Royal Greens in fear of their lives.)
The bar these days is low for sure, but it’s still nice to see a player with such perspective after a tough loss down the stretch.
Q. You spoke on Tuesday in your opening press conference about loving this course loving this tournament. Can you just reflect on the week a little bit and how it went for you?
JORDAN SPIETH: Yeah, I mean, I can't tell you how many times maybe had half a dozen times I got to tell Jake, Hey, we didn't even have to pay to play Pebble Beach this weekend. And the weather we had, I mean it's just, you don't want to leave. Like we we've been here since Saturday and as excited as I am for the next couple events, I mean I could stay here for months and just play this golf course, it's just -- all three of them were so much fun this week. They were in such great condition, they were firmer, faster, weather permitted. So it's always amazing it's one of our favorite places in the world on the Monterey Peninsula.
In Appreciation Of Pebble Beach's 11th Hole
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It was a lively Saturday at Pebble Beach but with most of the amateurs sent home Sunday should make for a fun finish. I hope we get to see a good pin on the 11th hole, an unfairly maligned par-4 in my view.
First Look At "The Hay" And The Inspiration For Its Fun Logo
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Erik Matuszewski of Forbes has some first look Martin Miller images and details surrounding the April 16th unveiling of the reimagined Peter Hay Course. Now “The Hay” and reworked by TGR Design, the opening marks yet another landmark day for par-3 course legitimacy and a big upgrade for the resort.
On the backstory of the course and costs when it opens:
Hay had a passion for introducing newcomers, particularly juniors, to golf and in 1957 developed one of the nation’s first short courses at Pebble Beach. The former Peter Hay Golf Course at the same site hosted generations of young golfers along with a wealth of junior tournaments and charity events over the years, but despite its prime location had gotten a bit rough around the edges, with scruffy bunkers, some bare spots and crooked tees. Woods’s design team took advantage of the Monterey Peninsula’s expansive water views while incorporating more variety into hole lengths and shot options, and adding more puttable areas within the green surrounds.
Hay’s vision carries forward with the new course, as juniors 12 and under can play the par-3 course for free. All golfers will have access to the 20,000-square-foot putting course for no cost. Resort guests and the general public can play The Hay for $65.
At first glimpse you might wonder about the logo but the story behind it is great fun.
Daniel Berger Eagles Final Hole Of Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Blessedly Minus The Pro-Am
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How nice was it not to hear the words, “and there’s Larry The Cable Guy”?
Or, Ray Romano has come into view of our cameras.
Don’t get me wrong, I support the Pebble Beach pro-am concept and know that it brings in new fans to golf when certain entertainers or athletes are involved. But gosh it was fun to see Pebble Beach played an hour faster and unencumbered by former A-listers and briefcases.
Add in CBS presenting a zippier show than in the past filled with those stunning drone and blimp shots…
This was fun too:
A special shout-out must go to the PGA Tour staff using a fun mix of tees to liven-up the setup. From a 139-yarder at the 5th to Sunday’s shorter 10th tee, the switch-up from normal pro-am years was welcomed. And no change was more exciting than seeing players going for the 18th in two. The day culminated with this stunning final hole eagle by 2021 winner Daniel Berger (Steve DiMeglio’s Golfweek game story here):
The tenth tee setup Sunday got some nice graphics and social media support. Always great when course setup is highlighted…
And the PGA Tour photography team produced some beauties, including this:
Pebble's (1929) 7th In Living Color: "Bring it back"
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When the photos of Pebble Beach’s 7th were shared via my Golden Age of Golf Design book and initially online, the reaction was typically immediate condemnation of the unmaintainable nature of its original “imitation sand dunes.” Those were created by Chandler Egan, Joe Mayo, Robert Hunter and a team of artisans trying to reverse the Pebble Beach narrative from one of artificial to natural when the course underwent massive change for the 1929 U.S. Amateur (where Egan reached the semi-finals at age 45).
Today, the chorus is nearly unanimous: “bring it back” say the commenters on this fascinating post by the Pebble Beach official account showing what the old hole would have looked like in living color. The post does not credit the source, but whoever it was did a sensational job.
We examined the issues with restoring this look earlier in 2019 when Pebble Beach hosted the U.S. Open:
Tiger Woods Meet Peter Hay: Pebble Beach's Par-3 To Get Overhaul
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The addition of a good par-3 has not become essentially at some of the world’s best golf courses, and while this embrace of fun and short shots should have happened ages ago to “grow the game”, it’s still important news when a place like Pebble Beach jumps in.
The Peter Hay Golf Course has been around since 1957, a vision of a longtime professional at Pebble Beach who worked with Jack Neville on the delightful pitch and putt. But time has passed by the course and so the Pebble Beach Company’s decision to enhance the course adjacent-ish to the first hole.
Monterey Peninsula ambassador Alan Shipnuck reports that Woods is still working through the details but will emphasize the amazing views U.S. Open spectators enjoy when entering the event over Peter Hay’s course.
Besides trying to keep up with other big name golf-focused resorts and upgrading what was not very well maintained, it sounds like the vision is not entirely centered around profit, a frequent vibe at Pebble Beach that can be a deterrent to enjoying such a special place.
Peter Hay — named for one of Pebble’s first head pros, who was a champion of junior golf — has always been and shall remain free for kids 12 and under to play. (Teens paid $10 and adults $30.) As the only par-3 on the Monterey Peninsula it is an important portal for beginners and families. Pricing has not yet been announced but Perrochi says, “We know this golf course serves many different constituents. Obviously the goal is to attract more resort guests, but Peter Hay will remain the home of junior golf on the Peninsula.”
Match Play: Pebble Beach Versus The Old Course
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The Morrissett brothers of Golf Club Atlas fame taught me the joy of settling golf course debates via match play. While not a perfect system to compare to works of golf architecture, it can be incredibly effective between semi-like-minded souls. Think of golf course match play as a war of attrition that sheds outside influences that muddy so many golf course rankings.
Forget the friendliness of staff, size of clubhouse and deliciousness of the cheeseburger. They can’t intrude on a straight-up, hole-by-hole duel.
Sadly, there are few forums for such debates and maybe as with 18 holes of golf, laboriously debating the merits of holes strikes some as tedious. But in an incredible week when the world of golf took us to Pebble Beach and The Old Course, the two most important jewels of their respective nations prompted a match to settle a question Matt Adams and I (sort of) addressed earlier in the week for Golf Central.
Here’s how my Pebble Beach vs. Old Course match played out. Disagree away and please, if you’ve been fortunate enough to play both, tell me your match outcomes. I won’t be hurt. (PS – we play these matches to the end, even if one course closes things out early.)
First Hole – The setting, the width, the burn, the tee where every legend of the game as stood, matched against the mediocrity of Pebble Beach’s opening hole, makes this a quickie. Old Course 1 up.
Second Hole – The “Dyke” features beautifully simple strategy, a need to consider the day’s hole location and a mind-boggling green complex at the end. While I love Pebble Beach’s second hole, changes in recent years to the landing area, the manicured barranca and a shrunken green complex add up to a loss. Old Course 2 up.
Third Hole – For years this would have been an easy win for Pebble’s third, one of my favorite holes until tweaks have taken some of the life and strategic subtlety away. Should be a Pebble win, but it’s not. Halve. Old Course 2 up.
Fourth Hole – Pebble Beach’s fourth has benefited from tree loss down the right, opening up the round’s first view of the sea. Some odd bunkering tweaks do not take away from this drive and pitch in the way gorse might be getting carried away at St. Andrews’s “Ginger Beer” par-4. Old Course 1 up.
Fifth Hole – Jack Nicklaus’ par-3 is a big improvement over the old fifth and has aged pretty well in twenty years. But the Hole O’ Cross is one of the world’s most bizarre and fascinating par-5’s, with an enormous green fronted by a deep swale that also can feed balls onto the absurd green. Old Course 2 up.
Sixth Hole – Speaking of fantastic par-5’s, Pebble Beach’s 6th remains beautiful and peculiar. A green expansion to reclaim trickier hole locations could make it better. While the Old Course’s sixth is a fine par-4, it’s not nearly as memorable as Pebble Beach’s sixth hole. Old Course 1 up.
Seventh Hole – Order another round, a long, drawn-out debate should ensue here. Pebble Beach’s 107-yard par-3 seventh remains one of the world’s most photographed and fun to play. There may be no better spot in the world of golf. But the green has morphed into a circle and old photos show a far more interesting hole. While the “High (Out)” hole requires a well-conceived tee shot, and one of the most underrated second shots in golf has you playing over the Shell bunker to a double green shared with the Eden. Sorry Pebble Beach. Old Course 2 up.
Eighth Hole – Pebble Beach’s magnificent second over the ocean easily beats out the fine, but ultimately so-so 8th in St Andrews. Old Course 1 up.
Ninth Hole – Another easy win for Pebble Beach. While St. Andrews’s 9th is fun to play, it can’t compete with the setting and shots required. Or the views. All Square.
Tenth Hole – Bobby Jones is another nice little drive and pitch, though the green shared with the 8th is a bit of a dud. The tenth at Pebble Beach? As magnificent a meeting of golf architecture and nature as you’ll find. Pebble Beach 1 up.
Eleventh Hole – The glorious High hole backed by the Eden Estuary, guarded by the Hill and Strath bunkers, offering views of town. Oh, and all of that history. Versus an uphill, mid-length par-4 with two hole locations? All Square.
Twelfth Hole – The most important short par-4 influencing designers from Jones and MacKenzie to Nicklaus and Weiskopf’s is too much for Pebble Beach’s modified Redan anchored by another circular green complex with most of the best hole locations lost. Old Course 1 up.
Thirteenth Hole – This one is tricky. The Hole O’ Cross is a strange, hard to grasp par-4 at the Old Course but ultimately one with strategy, interest and character. The uphill 13th at Pebble Beach also featured strategic charm, though I’m not sure how often in the modern game its steeply tilted green rewards drives down the left. Both are fun to play. Halve. Old Course 1 up.
Fourteenth Hole – Difficult three-shotters at both courses, the edge goes to St. Andrews on the back of its magnificent green complex and strategic variety. Old Course 2 up.
Fifteenth Hole – Straightaway par-4’s at both courses and of similar distances. Again, the green complex makes the difference. Old Course 3 up.
Sixteenth Hole – The Old Course, with its Principal’s Nose and Deacon Sime bunkers, a boundary fence and glorious green, get the edge as much as I enjoy the topography, shot shapes and difficulty of Pebble Beach’s 16th. Old Course 4 up.
Seventeenth Hole - The Road hole, even in its emasculated state with rough grass covering what should be fairway sending balls farther away from the optimum angle of attack, is still the Road hole. A restored green at Pebble Beach almost made me halve this one, but the restoration wasn’t perfect and the options just aren’t as interesting. Old Course 5 up.
Eighteenth Hole – As much as I adore the finish in St. Andrews, nothing compares to the conclusion of a day at Pebble Beach. Old Course 4 up.
There you have it. At least architecturally, a pretty turbulent match with few halves and ultimately an easy Old Course at St. Andrews win.
Pebble Beach Flyovers: Seventeenth And Eighteenth Holes
/By 2010 the 17th green had devolved to the point players were intentionally placing their tee shot in the bunker, then taking the chances with an up-and-down. As I recall—please tell me if you think otherwise—the hole was cut left on this hourglass green all four days.
Here was a then and now view of 17 (1929 vs. 2010) that I posted from the U.S. Open.
Since then the green was remodeled and is significantly more playable and interesting than last time we saw U.S. Open conditions here. It’s always one of the most difficult holes to gauge the wind’s effect in U.S. Open conditions due to the grandstand by the green and more protected tee area.
I am not sure what to expect of the famous closing hole this time around since players were regularly reaching the hole in August’s U.S. Amateur. The fairway has been narrowed significantly and forces tee shots to hug the cliffs, with the fairway bunkers now protected by rough.
The layup isn’t much to worry about without the overhanging tree of yesteryear, but the 70-foot tall replacement can be a killer if a player goes for the green and leaves a shot out to the right. Still, expect players to try and get as close to the green as possible if they hit a good tee shot.
90 Years Later: The 1929 U.S. Amateur As One Of Golf's Seminal Events
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1929 US Amateur Program, painting by Maurice Logan, digital restoration by Tommy Naccarato
If there was one event I could go back and experience, I now believe it’s the 1929 U.S. Amateur. Sure, ‘13 at The Country Club and the 1930 British Amateur at St. Andrews come to mind, as does 1960 at Cherry Hills. But after going back and revisiting everything that went on in advance of the 1929 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach and what that event meant for west coast golf, U.S. Opens at Pebble Beach and even the Masters, I try to make the case for ‘29 in this Golfweek story.
I mention this because this year marks the 90th anniversary and as the U.S. Open arrives at Pebble Beach, celebrating its centennial, this amateur was the event putting the course and region on the map. I also bring it up since the first amateur at Pebble Beach was always a footnote, lazily written off as the amateur Jones lost during an incredible 1-1-2-1-1-Rnd32-1 stretch.
Some of my favorite golf photos are in this USGA gallery of the 1929 event.
Pebble Beach Flyovers: Fifteenth and Sixteenth Holes
/With the awkwardness of an elevated tee aiming you right, prevailing wind in your face or quartering, and out-of-bounds down the right, even today’s launchers are discouraged from attempting to drive over the fairway pot bunker 290 away.
Besides, just hitting the fairway still leaves a wedge or sand wedge approach and a great birdie opportunity, so why bother?
The line off the tee here is crucial. A tee shot played too far left can lengthen the approach yardage significantly, especially since this is likely another iron or hybrid off the tee. And with the sandy area in front (once a more menacing barranca) tee shots in the left rough will be faced with a decision on how to approach the green.
Definitely one of the most difficult putting surfaces at Pebble Beach to gauge how an approach reacts and in reading putts.
