In golf construction art and utility meet; both are absolutely vital; one is utterly ruined without the other. GEORGE THOMAS

It’s back!

Twenty years later Tatra Press has kindly allowed me to bring back Grounds For Golf now that golf architecture is of more interest to the masses. A new Introduction looks at what’s driven the interest growth and two new chapters I had a blast adding (plus a few edits to keep things up-to-date).

The Amazon purchase page for the book arriving June 15, 2026.

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Available via Amazon (US): Golf Architecture For Normal People

Barnes And Noble (online and in stores)

Amazon Australia

Bookshop.org option to support local independent bookstores.

September 13, 2009

Tiger Wins; Playoffs Take Week Off To Let Fans Ponder Points Permutation Possibilities

September 13, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

I tell ya, the drama of wondering how these beancounters keep up with the shifts in points had me watching tennis. Maybe we can get a camera inside the ShotLink trailer, because that's where the numbers crunching probably goes on and where the real FedEx Cup drama lies. Anyway...

September 13, 2009

"If it is ever to be a color-blind game for the masses, golf still has a long way to go."

September 13, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

The USA coasted to a Walker Cup win at Merion Sunday, and while it was fun to study the course, it's hard to fathom how the East course can host a modern day major.

September 12, 2009

Woods Fires 62 At Cog Hill; Open Doctor May Need To Make A House Call

September 12, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

After Saturday's round, I think a pro-bono touch up is in order. No?

Update on 2009-09-13 04:36 by Geoff

Thomas Bonk doesn't think the scoring Saturday has helped Cog Hill's chances of getting a U.S. Open.

September 11, 2009

Los Angeles Country Club To Host 2017 Walker Cup

September 11, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Announced today at soggy Merion, where the weather will not be replicated in L.A. in September 2017.

September 10, 2009

In The Mood For Merion?

September 10, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Walker Cup play starts Saturday and there's plenty to warm get you excited.

September 10, 2009

"Similar to most"

September 10, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Steve Elling asks Geoff Ogilvy whether his opening 68 was inspired by playing the pro-am with Rees Jones, fresh off another Reestorization at Cog Hill. Ogilvy asked Twitterers for questions to pass on to Rees but sadly, did not use my contribution (How does he get all of his bunkers to look the same?).

September 10, 2009

Rory: A Call Would Have Been Nice!

September 10, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Granted, he didn't play too well the last few weeks but unlike Adam Scott, Rory Sabbatini has won this year on the PGA Tour and was the first player bumped off the Presidents Cup points list. Still, Captain Norman didn't have time to drop a dime. Bob Harig reports on the first round leader in Chicago:

September 09, 2009

Shocker: Players Exhausted As Playoff Stretch Nears Next Confusing Point Reset

September 09, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

The idea of playing the playoffs so soon after the PGA Championship has never made sense both because of the sheer volume of starts required, but also because it competes with so many sports at their peak (football, tennis, baseball). And as Thomas Bonk writes, the players are already speaking up that this year's run is not going to be repeated if they have any say.

September 09, 2009

"An 'ambitious' course in Russia costs at least $100 million"

September 09, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Thanks to reader Jim for Ilya Khrennikov's story on upscale golf course construction continuing in Russia despite dire economic news. This caught my eye in the context of golf in the Olympics, since Jack Nicklaus is one of the proponents for using the Olympics to grow the game worldwide, and yet is behind some of these outlandishly expensive designs:

September 09, 2009

"I know the USGA wants to go to middle America in 2017"

September 09, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Teddy Greenstein looks at Cog Hill's chances of luring the U.S. Open and I thought this statement by Mike Davis had to be well received in Tulsa and that little town near Erin Hills.

September 09, 2009

"Our objective is to do the things that we need to do to continue to grow as we come out of a downturn, and it's not our intention to go backwards to get ready to go forwards."

September 09, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Poor Commissioner Finchem. He meets with the most powerful man on the planet Tuesday and all the scribblers can lob are some annoying questions about purses. There is a good reason.

September 09, 2009

Tiger's Influence On The Children

September 09, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Great spot by Jay Busbee, who can only conclude from this YouTube video that Tiger's behavior is having an influence on the next generation of golfers.

September 09, 2009

3 Hours And 19 minutes...As A Single

September 09, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

I saw a few Tweets that uber-slow Ben Crane was playing as a first-out single at TPC Boston and now Michael Whitmer makes it official:

September 08, 2009

Obama Takes Time Out From Busy Schedule To Broker Peace Accord Between Norman, Finchem

September 08, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

...and to scuff up the President's Oval Office desk with the Presidents Cup trophy. Helen Ross reports on the events of the day, including a meeting with Joe Biden beforehand. The happy gang:

September 08, 2009

"The majority of the drop was due to investments in stocks and mutual funds."

September 08, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Shocking I know, but Jon Show reports that the PGA Tour's reserves took a hit last year, though compared to Warren Buffett, they had a great year.

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.

What Is The Quad?

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Labor Day Sunday sunset shots, in reverse order. Today saw the highest recorded temperature in LA County. 🥵

Better than most sunset

Thanks to @collin_morikawa for capping off a great week in style with the lowest final 36 holes in major history, and to the @pga and @pgatour for putting on a safe, well orchestrated week in tough circumstances. Nice of @stephencurry30 to stop by fo

@rorymcilroy, 15th fairway, 2020 @pgachampionship @tpchardingpark. Hoganesque!

@tigerwoods practicing at Harding Park, 2020 @pgachampionship Monday. He looks focused and flexible. Watch the first shot, his tee ball on the 4th with such a full throttle swing he had a bit of a Greg Norman follow-through. With an unfriendly breeze

Unorthodox at the (almost) top, Classic at the finish. @matthew_wolff5 @thegenesisinv

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