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 28, 2007

Greetings From Boston

August 28, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

Posting will be sporadic as I've landed in Boston and will be at the TPC the next few days soaking up playoff fever. WiFi willing I'll be posting some photos and other observations from the media center.

To whet your appetite, TPC Boston's pro Tom Ellis talks about the course changes and other issues surrounding the Deutsche Bank event, while Dave Shedloski previews the week in his Tour Insider column.

And over at Golf Digest a FedEx Cup gang bang broke out while I was flying cross country. Ron Sirak is lukewarm, John Hawkins offers less than encouraging reviews for the Cup and Westchester in his Golf World game story, while Bill Fields is hopeful that the playoffs will get interesting. Of course, he also quotes several prominent players saying that playoffs may have been a poor choice of words. Huh?

No, we like the idea of a playoff. It just has to act like one!

August 26, 2007

TPC Boston Before/After 4th Hole

August 26, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

This is the one TPC Boston hole that Hanse-Faxon-Wagner reworked most, shortening the 425-yard par-4 by over 100 yards to create a risk-reward, driveable short par-4. The new view facing players is seen in the below "after" photo.

I'll be able to say more about how the options work when I get out there and see it next week.

August 26, 2007

TPC Boston Before After 5th Hole

August 26, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

The TPC Boston's 475-yard par-4 5th hole, before and after the Hanse-Faxon-Wagner redo. I'll try to get a better look at that big boosting bank that has been created just to the right of the green to kick shots in. Looks interesting.

And after...

August 25, 2007

TPC Boston Before/After 15th Hole

August 25, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

And the 15th hole at TPC Boston before photo courtesy of Caddybytes.com...

After...

August 25, 2007

TPC Boston Before/After 8th Hole

August 25, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

The TPC Boston's 213 yard par-3 8th appears to not have provided the Hanse-Faxon-Wagner team much to work with, but the bunker has less of that lovely Rees quality to it in the after shot (below). I also like the little bumpy ridge cut out short right that eliminates some of the modern shaping look and probably helps the player see into the right bunker better.

August 25, 2007

More TPC Boston: 16th Before and After

August 25, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

I believe this is a new green by Hanse/Wagner/Faxon at the TPC Boston, with the par-3 shortened and the green given more of a peninsula effect that should make Sunday hole locations fun.

Before and after, with the old green site sitting where you see the reddish fescue grass:

Update on 2007-08-25 21:50 by Geoff

Here's one other view of the new 16th...

August 23, 2007

TPC Boston Before/After 1st Hole

August 23, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

On the TPC Boston's first hole it looks Hanse-Faxon-Wagner raised the front bunker (or certainly didn't lower it) to obstruct a clean view of left hole locations. I can already hear the players crying foul! It's not all right in front of you!

August 23, 2007

TPC Boston Before/After 10th Hole

August 23, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

More of the Hanse-Faxon-Wagner redo of TPC Boston, this time the 10th hole, which only saw minor changes. More fescue and bunkering with a lot more flair.

And after...

August 23, 2007

TPC Boston Before/After 9th Hole

August 23, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

The TPC Boston's 480-yard par-4 9th, with the view prior to last fall's Hanse-Faxon-Wagner renovation and the after shot below.

August 23, 2007

TPC Boston Before/After: 7th Hole

August 23, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

One of the more talked about additions at the revamped TPC Boston will be the "Hell's Half Acre" installed on the 600-yard par-5 7th hole. Above is a view of the hole before and below is the after shot of the Hanse-Faxon-Wagner redo, with photos courtesy of TPC Boston superintendent Tom Brodeur.

TPCBoston7thbefore-after

And the after shot, where you may note the improved left greenside bunker and the elimination of containment mounds around the green complex...

TPCBoston7th-after

August 22, 2007

First Look at TPC Boston: 17th Hole Before/After

August 22, 2007/ Geoff Shackelford

I will be posting more images in a few days, but thanks to TPC Boston superintendent extraordinaire Tom Brodeur, who managed a a major econstruction and grow in of his course since last year's Deutsche Bank event, we get to see some before/after shots of Gil Hanse and Brad Faxon's redo.

Home to next week's PGA Tour playoff event, TPC Boston was overhauled to reflect more of a New England-style look and feel. Much of the new-meant-to-look-old bunkering was crafted by Jim Wagner, who was recently featured in this YouTube video.

Here's the 17th hole's fairway view, before and after. Note New England style fescue bumps just off the fairway of this 420-yard par 4: