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.

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org (supporting independent stores and 10% off)

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

Barnes And Noble (online and in stores)

Amazon Australia

Amazon UK

Bookshop.org option to support local independent bookstores.

October 14, 2010

"The South Korean players became more shy after a profile of Kyeong Bae in a Canadian newspaper this summer in which she referred to the cartoon character SpongeBob Square Pants as 'Spongie Bob.'"

October 14, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Karen Crouse introduces us to the LPGA "language labs" and the issues arising in trying to Americanize teach English to non-Americans.

October 13, 2010

Nationwide Tour Clearly Needs More Suffocating Rough!

October 13, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

John Dell reports that the Nationwide Tour's finest are on the verge of breaking a driving distance record.

October 13, 2010

"I get the sense that, for many people, the current golf model is broken."

October 13, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

I'm going to look past Charlie Rymer's suggestion that every golf course cut two cups, one regulation and one 10-incher, so golfers can choose the size they'd like to play to, because these were good suggestions for bettering the game.

October 13, 2010

"The game's two biggest tours in effect are trying to make two dozen top players more equally divisible by two."

October 13, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Steve Elling says new European Tour participation minimum's would appear to be a reaction to the PGA Tour's upcoming rule change and a sign the two tours are making it tougher to keep dual memberships.

October 13, 2010

I Guess This Rules Out Herb Kohler Buying A Ryder Cup For St. Andrews

October 13, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Thanks to the readers who sent in Rick Romell's story on Herb Kohler's "largely in the red" operation in St. Andrews, which likely ends any dreams we might have of him joining the bidding process for a future Ryder Cup. It also can't bode well for Hamilton Hall when another fixer-upper has been such a huge drain.

October 13, 2010

“How can they say that rule was not changed specifically directed at me if you have a rule that allows me to play and you come back and you change it?”

October 13, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Katie Thomas of the New York Times reports that a 57-year-old gender-reassigned retired police officer and women’s world long-drive champ is ineligible after an LPGA rule change. And she's suing.

October 12, 2010

The Potty Putter...

October 12, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Several years into blogging not much makes my jaw drop, but this incredible find by GolfbloggerUK managed to do it. And no, this is not from The Onion. Amazon sells it. Really.

October 12, 2010

Grand Slam Down To Two...

October 12, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

There's nothing funny about Louis Oosthuizen pulling out of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf after damaging ligaments on the outside of his left ankle, leaving just two major winners left in the Slam event.

October 12, 2010

SI Golf Group's 40 Under 40

October 12, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

I'm shocked, shocked that as the purveyor of this website the SI Golf Group did not deem me part of the "up-and-coming generation of influencers, trendsetters and newsmakers, an eclectic mix of talent worth watching today and for many years to come."

October 12, 2010

I Have Failed You, My Dear Readers

October 12, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Reader Seitz is correct, I missed the best part of Greg Norman's sitdown schmoozefest with Lewine Mair. While I reveled in answers that only an IMG press agent could love while the Shark waxed on about his beef and Presidents Cup arm sling, he lobbed this hanging curveball. Speaking of Lorena Ochoa's involvement in an Olympic design job for the Rio Olympics in Brazil, where Portuguese is the native language.

October 11, 2010

"I'm my last few years on the regular Tour, there were other things stimulating me more than chasing a little white ball. I was bursting with ideas."

October 11, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

So many laugh-out-loud moments in Greg Norman's Global Golf Post interview with Lewine Mair, where to start? Well thanks to reader Tim for making me read this, otherwise I would have skipped it.

October 11, 2010

Lawyers Declare Sea Island Auction A Success... For Themselves!

October 11, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Only people charging $700 an hour could concoct something like this for the Sea Island sale of $212.4 million, up from the original $197.5. Carrick Mollenkamp reports:

October 11, 2010

Pro V1s Promise Not To Get Emotional On You As Highly Anticipated Anniversary Nears

October 11, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Golf World Monday notes the 10-year anniversary of the paradigm-shifting introduction of Titleist's Pro V1 this week. Confirming that the fall is indeed a slow news time in golf.

October 11, 2010

More Rankings Comedy: Woods Just Needs To Make Appearance In Next Three Weeks To Retain Top Spot

October 11, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

James Corrigan on the chances of Martin Kaymer vaulting to the top spot, as well as how Tiger can retain the No. 1 position.

October 10, 2010

Date Set For Westwood's Takeover Of No. 1 Spot Giving Further Credence To Fears World Ranking Is A Farce

October 10, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

From SI/golf.com's always fun weekly roundtable, especially when they sit inside watching golf telecasts so I don't to:

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.