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
"Good thing they only hold the P-Cup every two years, because it's obviously a tremendous strain on the public-relations brain trust in Ponte Vedra."
/In his Up and Down column, Steve Elling tries to figure out the Michael Jordan/Presidents Cup mini-drama:
The PGA Tour's handling of Michael Jordan's presence didn't get much play, but it was ham-handed, myopic and indicative of the blunders the tour has made with regard to publicity over the years. Argue if you want about whether Jordan should have been there as a "volunteer assistant," an invitee of Fred Couples, in the first place, but it's awfully hard to hide a 6-foot-6 Hall of Famer on a golf course once he shows up. The tour tried. Jordan told one print outlet that he had been asked by the tour not to conduct interviews. Yet the tour used Jordan's comments in an "exclusive" interview in Q & A posted on its website Monday. Nice double standard. The tour apparently didn't want Jordan to become a distraction and also barred him from participating in the opening ceremonies, causing complaints from players and caddies, who scribbled his old number, 23, on their hats. He represented the definition of a distraction, of course, and making him off-limits made it even more of a circus. Still, Jordan's presence gave the tour a rare chance to reach across golf's limited boundary ropes to snare a casual sports fan. The tour butchered the opportunity, then hosed the print media who spent the money to cover the event by making Jordan unavailable. Then they allowed him to participate in the closing ceremonies, where he sat on stage with the team. Good thing they only hold the P-Cup every two years, because it's obviously a tremendous strain on the public-relations brain trust in Ponte Vedra.
"The Tour Championship has got to be the last event of the year — it's got to."
/Why Does NBC Draw Much Higher Ratings For Golf?
/Jon Show looks at the PGA Tour's number averaging a 2.0, back to 2007 levels with Tiger's return to regular play. But I find it more interesting that NBC averaged a 2.4 while CBS a 1.9...
NBC benefited the most from the return of Woods, boosting its year-over-year rating for 18 windows from a 2.0 in 2008 to a 2.4 this year, which is flat with 2007. NBC aired the highest-rated non-major of the year, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Woods’ first win after he returned in February.
NBC and CBS each aired coverage of six non-majors that Woods played. He won four events on CBS and two on NBC.
CBS earned a 1.9 rating for 39 telecasts in 2009, up from a 1.6 in 2008 but down from a 2.0 in 2007. The network posted the four lowest Sunday ratings this season with coverage of the FBR Open, Verizon Heritage, HP Byron Nelson Championship and Zurich Classic. CBS was also hurt by a rainout at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and Woods’ absence at the Buick Invitational, an event that normally marks the start of his season.
Why do I suspect this will come up the next time rights fees are discussed?
"Mention of Woods and Mickelson will no doubt prompt the PGA Tour's marketing gurus to point that the involvement of the game's two most compelling figures rendered all objections inconsequential."
/"It's a golf tournament, not a swap meet."
/In an especially lively Up and Down column, Steve Elling shares this anecdote from last week's telecast which I did not see. Several have mentioned it though:
Every week, the CEO of whatever company sponsors that week's tour event gets a few moments of blather time during the broadcast to toot their corporate horn and spout clichés about what a great week it was. In Atlanta, the top dog at Coca-Cola used his TV opportunity to hoist a bottle of Coke during his live interview with NBC's Dan Hicks. Then the guy showed up for the awards ceremony with Mickelson and Woods on the 18th green drinking from yet another bottle of the company's product. Times may be tough, but this is way beyond gauche and bordering on crass. It's a golf tournament, not a swap meet.
I do wonder if this rather desperate move speaks to Coca-Cola feeling like it's been lost in the shuffle at East Lake? Most of the event is focused on the FedEx Cup and if it weren't for the Coke bottle sets as tee markers, I would not have any sense of Coca-Cola's presence as Tour Championship sponsor.
2009 Tour Championship Photo Caption Fun
/What's on Phil's mind? What's the Commissioner saying to Tiger? From Rob Matre's final round photo gallery:
And When There Were Eight...
/Phil Wins; Woods Solidifies FedEx Cup With Unforgettable Second Place Finish
/...after being subjected to my relentless ranting, you know where I stand.
So what did you all think of Sunday's points permutation madness, the state of Tiger's game, Phil's resurgent putting, NBC's coverage, etc...?
FedEx Cup Trophy Reflection Help
/I couldn't help but notice the reflection of Dan and Johnny's notes in today's FedEx Cup trophy. Our La Habra-based art director Tom Naccarato was able to pick up one of Johnny's note pads, but we couldn't make out his fifth mantra. (See third image.) If anyone can translate what they see in the trophy reflection, please post below.
Woods Eyes Two-Way Tie For Third To Clinch Cup
/If The FedEx Cup Used The Old ADT Format...
/...here would be the 2009 Tour Championship's Saturday 16 using the 2006 version where the field of 32 was cut to 16 on Saturday and 54-hole scores decided the final 8 for Sunday's $1 million shootout (no playoff would have been necessary):
Tiger Woods
Padraig Harrington
Sean O'Hair
Ernie Els
Kenny Perry
Jerry Kelly
Angel Cabrera
Jason Dufner
Nick Watney
Lucas Glover
Stewart Cink
David Toms
Phil Mickelson
Jim Furyk
John Senden
Steve Marino
And the non-qualifiers:
Heath Slocum
Scott Verplank
Luke Donald
Retief Goosen
Steve Stricker
Zach Johnson
Kevin Na
Dustin Johnson
Brian Gay
Mike Weir
Hunter Mahan
Marc Leishman
Y.E. Yang
Geoff Ogilvy