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

Bookshop.org option to support local independent bookstores.

November 24, 2012

Gary Player Is Not Happy With The R&A, And He Hasn't Even Heard About The Planned Old Course Changes!

November 24, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

Thanks to reader Mark for this unbylined SAPA story sharing Gary Player's latest (stock) rant on assorted topics (belly putter, lack of bifurcation, longer courses, water).

November 24, 2012

Old Course: “I take it they don’t want a 59 shot on it.”

November 24, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

Martin Dempster looks at the changes the R&A and architect Martin Hawtree have in store for The Old Course--just typing that feels so April Foolish-- and called on 2004 Dunhill Links Champ Stephen Gallacher to boil this down to the pure essence of the problem: big egos, afraid of low scores.

November 24, 2012

The Old Course And Its "Acute Spur Formation"

November 24, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

As we come to grips with the idea that men who preach the gospel that is St. Andrews are also

November 23, 2012

"That's Shack at his best."

November 23, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

Okay, I

November 22, 2012

Friday News Dump Files: Old Course Getting Changes To Some Greens And First New Bunkers Since 1949

November 22, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

I know that the last bunker filled or cut on the sacred Old Course was in 1949 because I read it in Scott Macpherson's magnificent book, The Evolution Of The Old Course.

November 22, 2012

Wozzilroy Files: Caroline Pops A Question In Rory's Post Round Presser

November 22, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

After Rory McIlroy opened with a 66 in Dubait,

November 21, 2012

The 2012 Turkeys Go To...

November 21, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

The only thing I love more than a YouTube dog video is a

November 21, 2012

Not Must See Video: Funny Dog Running Around A Golf Course

November 21, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

Thanks to Mike Walker for three minutes of my life lost to starting at a computer screen, but it was an enjoyable three minutes. Who knew corgi's were so quick?

November 21, 2012

Euro Tour's O'Grady: "We are concerned, but not panicking"

November 21, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

From an AP story by Michael Casey on the exodus of top players to the PGA Tour from the European Tour, Euro Tour head George O'Grady:

November 21, 2012

Faldo Gabs: Neurotic Ryder Cuppers, Rory's Near Catastrophe And Luke Donald's Major Prep

November 21, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

Nick Faldo had all sorts of fun stuff to talk about with James Corrigan for a lengthy Telegraph story to promote the re-release of his 1995 instruction book.

November 21, 2012

Luke Donald's PGA Tour Putting In 2012

November 21, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

He Tweeted his numbers after someone (I can't find who now...) pointed out he made 90.2% of his putts inside 10 feet.

November 20, 2012

Azinger: ''It's OK for manufacturers to figure out game improvement. But if a player figures it out, we're going to ban it?''

November 20, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

Paul Azinger laments the forthcoming anchoring ban and

November 20, 2012

Rory Finally Admits He Wasn't Wild About Losing The ResetCup That Everyone Knows He Deserved To Win

November 20, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

Derek Lawrenson reports from Dubai and the European Tour's season ending thingy.

November 20, 2012

GMac Proposes On World's Tallest Helipad

November 20, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

Sorry ladies, all six that read this blog, but Graeme McDowell engaged to long-time girlfriend Kirstin Stape on the Burg Al Arab's 656-foot high helipad

November 20, 2012

Anchoring Decision Update And An Enforcement Question

November 20, 2012/ Geoff Shackelford

Ron Sirak considers the upcoming decision on anchoring a putter against the torso and says the great legal minds at Force, Majeure and Breach are just buttoning up the language for the Executive Committee's consideration.

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.

What Is The Quad?

TheQuadrilateral.golf

_______

Book

Golf Architecture For Normal People now available for pre-order!

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Labor Day Sunday sunset shots, in reverse order. Today saw the highest recorded temperature in LA County. 🥵

Better than most sunset

Thanks to @collin_morikawa for capping off a great week in style with the lowest final 36 holes in major history, and to the @pga and @pgatour for putting on a safe, well orchestrated week in tough circumstances. Nice of @stephencurry30 to stop by fo

@rorymcilroy, 15th fairway, 2020 @pgachampionship @tpchardingpark. Hoganesque!

@tigerwoods practicing at Harding Park, 2020 @pgachampionship Monday. He looks focused and flexible. Watch the first shot, his tee ball on the 4th with such a full throttle swing he had a bit of a Greg Norman follow-through. With an unfriendly breeze

Unorthodox at the (almost) top, Classic at the finish. @matthew_wolff5 @thegenesisinv

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