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

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

“Shackelford will guide the reader to an enriching understanding of design. Consider it a primer on the fascinating subject of course architecture. If you don’t know what a template hole is, or a Biarritz, or a Redan, or a Punchbowl, you will be gently educated, and perhaps enjoy playing a course with any of these holes that much more. There’s a lot here, packed into 160 pages.” LORNE RUBENSTEIN, ScoreGolf

December 01, 2011

“My parents still ask me when I’m going to get a job and be like normal folks."

December 01, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Sean Martin notes the huge scoring average increase Thursday at Q-School where winds created some wild standings swings and one WD.

As eager as I know most are to read about David Duval's appearance in the finals (as profiled by Brian Wacker), I'm partial to Jim Achenbach's look at old guy Paul Claxton, a native of Claxton, Georgia, married to fruit cake company heiress Paula, father of children Paul and Paula, son to parents Paul and Paula. But no brothers named Larry, Darryl or Darryl.

Reflected Paul the golfer, who is witty enough to double as a comedian:

“We’re pretty simple. You only need to know a couple of names, and you can talk to all of us.”

Things can be a little different in the South. “Everybody thought we were related before we got married, but of course we weren’t,” said Claxton, pondering a confusion of names.

Playing on the 2011 Nationwide Tour, Claxton made 17 cuts in 26 tournaments. He won $140,544 to rank 40th on the final money list.

Back in 2008, he played on the PGA Tour but missed 15 cuts in 23 events. He lost his card and has been fighting ever since to get it back.

“My parents still ask me when I’m going to get a job and be like normal folks,” he said.

December 01, 2011

"Players aren’t in danger at PGA West. Their sanity may be, though."

December 01, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Sean Martin reports high winds could make day two of Q-School play a nightmare. So far the scores aren't too horrible, so maybe the lads have been spared.

November 30, 2011

"That amounts to the Sam Saunders Declaration of Independence."

November 30, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Jim Achenbach reports on the first day of Q-School and focuses on 68-shooter Sam Saunders, who has changed quite a bit about his approach to the game, which includes shelving heavy weight-lifting, beating range balls and lots of cycling.

November 29, 2011

Noh Joy: Q-School Finals Are Here

November 29, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

John Maginnes will be at Q-School for Golf Channel and sums up the final stage starting Wednesday at PGA West:

I honestly get a little queasy now just thinking about it and I haven't been to a Q-School in half a dozen years. I will be there this year on course for the Golf Channel and I feel like I will be returning to the scene of the crime that stole a piece of my soul and my youth. In return, I learned more about myself in a week than I have in any single year since.

Sean Martin previews the name players in the field and as always, I feel slightly dirty poring over the names of the souls who will be grinding it out over the next six days. Oh, but go ahead and look, it's not like they are standing in front of Home Depot looking for work. Yet.

Brian Wacker also looks at some of the better known names at Q-school.

Steve DiMeglio takes the William McGirt angle, talking to the heartbreak veteran who for three consecutive years at the second stage faced final hole putts to make it to the finals. You'll have to read the story to see how it turned out.

The PGA Tour's leaderboard is here, and their full coverage page can be accessed here.

November 20, 2011

“It’s people’s livelihoods, the dreams they’re trying to pursue."

November 20, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

While the focus is on David Duval, the Q-school second stage stories of men like Jason Gore and Joseph Bramlett as told by Tod Leonard prove just as interesting. Though somehow I doubt this story carries the same weight when Q-School shifts to a Nationwide Tour-only format in a year or two.

March 23, 2011

“It sounds like old guys trying to cover their butts. Is this an old boys’ club or who the best players are?"

March 23, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Jeff Rude calls the PGA Tour's proposed concept to convert Q-School into a Nationwide Tour qualifying event "too much of a closed shop, too restrictive, too protective of current members making the rules, too much of a half-dream for Q-School entrants and too little of the concept of keeping immediate hope alive."

March 21, 2011

Should Q-School Send Players To The PGA Tour?

March 21, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

From Doug Ferguson's story on the possibility that a change in the tour's fall finish will mean that only the Nationwide Tour can funnel players to the PGA Tour instead of a combination that includes PGA Tour Qualifying School.

December 06, 2010

2010 Q-School Wrap-Up

December 06, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

The scores are here but as far as stories go, Billy Mayfair may have been medalist but Joseph Bramlett was the favorite of on-site scribblers.

Mick Elliott (here), Steve Elling (here) and Adam Schupak (here) each had a distinctive take on Bramlett, the first man of African American descent to earn a card through Q-school in 25 yards. From Schupak's story, referencing the last black man to make it to the tour via the school, Adrian Stills:

December 05, 2010

Final Round Q-School Scenarios

December 05, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

You can follow Monday's action here before Golf Channel signs on, but to get ready check out Sean Martin's look at the variety of players staring down a tour card. And Brian Wacker reminds us of Brandt Jobe's long road back from a freak accident that has him on the verge of returning to the tour.

December 05, 2010

Wild Sunday Open Thread

December 05, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Geoff Ogilvy has already won the Australian Open but we can't see it here in the states because of a full line-up that includes a meaningful finale at the Chevron World Challenge for Tiger, the Nedbank in South Africa, the LPGA Tour Championship and the second-to-last round of PGA Tour Q-school. Let me know what you see.

November 30, 2010

2010 Q-School Primer

November 30, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

I always feel a little dirty peering in on Q-school scores. But now that it's no longer a largely private affair with Golf Channel starting coverage Saturday during round four, there's some stellar online coverage to correspond with a slew of fascinating storylines this week. You can spot several of them on the leaderboard, either in the form of big name former tour players or intriguing names such as Erik Compton, Ty Tryon and Brett Waldman.

November 23, 2010

"He picks his clubs up for one month and gets to the final stage."

November 23, 2010/ Geoff Shackelford

Great story by Doug Ferguson on Brett Waldman, chief luggage toter for Camilo Villegas and Q-school finalist after picking up his clubs a month ago to start with the pre-qualifier.

December 07, 2009

Q-School Roundup

December 07, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

So many reports, so many good reads for those of us who didn't get to watch it...

December 06, 2009

Q-School Final Round Preview

December 06, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

The PGA Tour leaderboard is here if you want to follow the final round of Q-SChool.

Sean Martin focuses on two Boise St. grads making a run at their cards and also offers other notes previewing players on both sides of the