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
John Daly: "I think I may get in trouble for saying this, but..."
/John Daly was in the group at 69 along with Lee Westwood, Retief Goosen, Y.E. Yang and Robert Karlsson.
"With a small field like we have here, and I think I may get in trouble for saying this, but I'm kind of glad it's not sanctioned by the European or PGA Tour," Daly said. "It shows that China is doing something on their own. They're saying, 'Hey, we may not need the PGA Tour or European Tour, no disrespect."
When did China become IMG? Or IMG become China?
John Daly Sheds Light On Tiger's Marriage...Really
/Even better the four-time husband offers some brilliant PR advice on The Zone, 790 in Georgia reports the Guyism blog.
Mayhem: Once you put that ring on your finger, you don’t get that opportunity anymore…
John: Well, you should if your wife is good to you and makes loves to you when you want to be made love to….my exes, they didn’t want to have sex anymore. And when that happens, if you’re not going to give it to me, I’m going to get it from somewhere else. Is that adultery? Maybe so. But from what I understand, when you’re married, they’re supposed to give it to you.
Mayhem: Can Tiger Woods go up to a podium or a microphone, and say, here’s the deal, I’m not getting it anymore and quite honestly I’ve had enough?
John: Exactly, that’s what I did
And look how well that's worked out for you!
Mayhem: Could he have gotten away with that with his public persona?
John: I think so
You can listen to the wisdom here.
Early reviews are in and Long John has outdone himself!
John Daly has inserted his foot in his mouth on plenty of occasions throughout his PGA Tour career, but the two-time major champion outdid himself in an interview on 790 The Zone in Atlanta.
Let's see, this classy little NC-17-rated radio conversation ought to add to Daly's tour-topping fine total, huh?
No April Fool's: Na, Daly In First Heritage Group Out
/Stunner: Daly's Fourth Wife Gets A Book Published By Supposedly High-Minded Outfit
/It's good to see the literary lions at Simon and Schuster--who once brought us books like Harvey Penick's Little Red Book--are going for quality these days, inking John Daly's fourth wife Sherrie (the prison one) to a book deal. Can't you just see the editor who inked this deal slamming down his phone and declaring to no one in particular, "I got Sherrie Daly!"
The vital tome, with a title blatantly ripped off from Dave Hill's classic, is apparently about to hit stores and hopefully this series of highlights captured by Garry Smits is all you will choose to read:
1. She said there were two versions of her ex-husband: John Daly, who she admitted could be "sweet" to her, and "JD," the hard-drinking, emotionally and physically abusive side who would call her the most vulgar of names.
I know, it's hard to keep reading when you learn something like that about one of your heroes, but we must soldier on...
2. Daly's reaction to things that displeased him often resulted in public urination. She described one incident where Daly came home and was displeased with the color of paint she had ordered for their kitchen. In front of his wife and his mother, Daly urinated on the walls.
That's going to be a tough image to get out of my head.
4. She was with Daly during his famous casino session in which he spent almost all of a million-dollar prize for finishing second to Tiger Woods in a World Golf Championship event within one hour, that same night. When she told Daly that every $500 pull on a slot machine could have paid her bills for an entire month before she married him, he replied, "don't interrupt me while I'm gambling."
You have to side with him on that one. After all, when you're trying to get back on the winning side of a cerebral competition like slots, you need 100% focus.
"I won't even send letters anymore."
/"His head doesn't bother me as much as his pants."
/Thanks to reader Thomas for this Photoshop Disasters post of John Daly snowboarding with a golf club in hand and loud pants to match. The comments are great fun. If they only knew our John is that flexible.
"I played better when I was drunk."
/“I have quit plenty of times but never have I faked an injury and the guys here know it."
/Thanks to John Strege for an always-fun Monday roundup and in particular, highlighting this Andrew Both item on John Daly's epic defense of his WDitis:
“All I know is I’ve never ever faked an injury on this tour,” the two-time major winner told Reuters after shooting a two-under-par 68 at the Wyndham Championship on Thursday that left him seven strokes off the pace.
“I have quit plenty of times but never have I faked an injury and the guys here know it … when you’re hurt, you’re hurt. I wasn’t playing great at the PGA but I still had 11 holes left (in the second round).”
Yes, they know you're a quitter alright!