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

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

August 24, 2009

“I woke up that morning and didn’t expect to win"

August 24, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Thanks to reader Tim for this Kyung Lah CNN report on Y.E. Yang which included what could not have been music to Presidents Cup captain Norman, assuming the translation was correct.

Watching Yang play with his friends on this Dallas, Texas golf course, you can see that love of the game is obvious. Yang later tells me that he hopes to never face off with Tiger again, because he’s not sure he’d win again. You get the sense that while wins at the PGA level are important, this game with friends is just as important — and at the heart of why Yang managed to accomplish what no other golfer in the world could.

The video version:

Jack Nicklaus has also has some interesting observations on the Yang win at Hazeltine in this sitdown with Tim Rosaforte. And is me or is Jack way too pleased that Tiger won't be breaking the all time major's mark at St. Andrews next year?

August 18, 2009

Rough and the PGA

August 18, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

You may recall that before the PGA I suggested that we would find out this year whether the clever, low rough setup at Southern Hills was an abberation or whether the less nuanced, high-rough hackout nonsense seen at Oak Hill and Oakland Hills was more typical of the modern PGA Championship.

August 18, 2009

"The country-club softies who have made a habit of lying down for Woods have collectively done little farming and spent even less time guarding naval installations"

August 18, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Fun to see that both SI and Golf World's game stories touched on Y.E. Yang's toughness in fending off Tiger Woods.

August 18, 2009

ESTMATED 35.7 MILLION SUFFER THROUGH ALL-OR-PART OF CBS SPORTS’ COVERAGE OF 2009 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

August 18, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

And survey's report a record spike in DVR sales directly attributed to CBS's promo-cluttered, commercial-heavy, golf-light broadcast.

August 18, 2009

"It was only a short putt, but I thought Tiger’s early departure was pretty bush."

August 18, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Alan Shipnuck answers a reader question about Tiger's gamesmanship ploys at Hazeltine, adding a couple more possible incidents to our list.

August 17, 2009

“When we urged him to go into farming, he would say: ‘I’m not going to live like my father"