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
"It was one of the weirdest things I've ever seen."
/Garry Smits on the couple that decided to park on the 8th green at TPC Sawgrass last night and do Lord knows what. Thankfully, the green sustained no damage. Too bad they don't arm the TPC maintenance staff with tasers too.
According to a report by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, William John Rinaldi and Brianna Lynn Borelli, who share the same Jacksonville address, were discovered by Vlach and Reich around 9 p.m. Thursday, inside the car, parked on the eighth green, with the motor running.
After Rinaldi refused to turn the motor off and get out of the car at Vlach's request, he called 911. When sheriff's deputies arrived, Rinaldi and Borelli were outside the vehicle. There was no damage to the green and Vlach declined to press charges as long as the two were issued a trespass warning.
"The best thing about it is I don't think there was any intent to tear up the course," said Capt. Dave Messenger of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office on Friday. "It was one of the weirdest things I've ever seen."
Borelli's mother came to take the vehicle off the property.
Friday At The 2010 Players
/I don't want to be too hard on PGA Tour players criticizing a course because the greens are too soft, but I'm going to anyway.
Jerry Kelly after his 66 Friday, Sam Weinman reporting:
"There's no excuse for the greens. This is the fourth year," Kelly said, referencing the 2006 redo of the Stadium Course that introduced Bermuda greens. "They're soft. They're spongy. They don't keep them short enough. I'm disappointed in the way this thing is set up."
While acknowledging that the region endured one of its harshest winters in memory, Kelly said he still preferred the old layout that made many of the recovery shots he attempted on Friday an impossibility.
"I know it's a tough winter, but I was hoping they could stress these greens a little more," Kelly said. "It's a shame. I'd rather play on mud and dirt like we used to sometimes rather than play on a first cut. This is slower than the old fringe. I just remember what it was. It was really tough to get at some of these pins."
Kelly, though well intentioned in wanting firmer greens, is way off base.
Tiger was asked about the greens and the use of the SubAir green drying system (the indiscernible portion of the question):
Q. Why is it (Indiscernible)?
TIGER WOODS: Probably don't want to turn the switch on.
Q. If no one turned the switch on then, are you surprised that they didn't?
TIGER WOODS: Very surprised. We're holding 5-irons and shots on 8 with 3-irons are holding. You would think that they'd be a little bit more springy than that.
A couple of things.
First of all, SubAir is a bit misunderstood in its ability to quickly suck moisture out of greens, particularly when the environment above ground is a sauna with humidity in the 70% range.
Furthermore, I have a few sources who say the SubAir is a constant problem here at TPC Sawgrass and has never worked as well as hoped.
And even if the SubAir works beyond their wildest dreams, the most important part of the equation involves the winter of 2009-10. The greens are weaker than normal due to positively awful growing conditions, requiring a great deal of fertilization to get full coverage for this year's Players. That means they also have to be treated a bit more gingerly come tournament time by superintendent Tom Vlach.
Yes, it'd be great to have firmer greens, which I believe will come with Saturday's rolling and drier weather forecast Sunday. But the TPC Sawgrass should also have healthy greens after tournament week (and they are obviously quite good this week based on the scores). But is it really so awful to have great players like Lee Westwood posting low scores on a difficult course? No way.
That said, I spent most of my day writing or on 17, so the images are limited to these click-to-enlarge specials. And I really wish I had been there for this!
Look who is hanging out behind the green...(small textured ripple in the lake)