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
Hank's Already Got Michael Phelps Saying It's A Process!
/Harmons Get The Call; Flying In To Work With Obama
/"Jim Flick was a teacher's teacher."
/Sean Foley On Tiger, Nelson Mandela And Johnny Miller
/From part one of Brian Wacker's "exclusive" Sean Foley Q&A at PGATour.com. It's exclusive because PGATour.com is acknowledging someone in golf who is not a member of the PGA Tour.
Nonetheless, as with any Foley interview, it's not short on engaging topics including Johnny Miller's recent comments about passing on the chance to teach Tiger, and this...
Q: I want to go back to that day about 10 years ago when you were sitting in a bar in Canada with Sean Casey, who's now the director of golf at Glen Abbey, and you saw Tiger Woods on television and you said "I'm going to coach him one day." What made you think you could?
SEAN FOLEY: I used to say it and then be met with a phase of ridicule. There are some things that are difficult to explain. It's like asking anyone about ideas like God or destiny. It's really difficult to put into terms and into words and to quantify. I can tell you that there probably weren't many people who ever thought [I would coach him]. But I've seen people like Nelson Mandela get thrown in jail and stay in jail for 27 years and then come out and become the president of the country. It's not just that he became president, but he came out forgiving his oppressors.
Even though that has nothing to do with my situation, to me as a kid, it was like, OK, if he's capable of that, what am I capable of? I always wanted to teach golf. There were a lot of things I wanted to do, and that's the benefit of being so young. And I just thought it would be cool.
Yao Ming Looks Great At Address...
/...and then there is his swing.
Thanks to Alan Shipnuck for Tweeting this golf.com photo gallery of Eugene Hoshiko's AP images from the World Celebrity Pro-Am at Mission Hills. Included are shots of Adrian Brody, Ryan Reynolds, Michael Phelps, Ronaldo, Andy Garcia and three shots of actress Minka Kelly.
Yao looks tremendous at address and so I went to YouTube to see if the rest of the seven-foot and then-some former Houston Rocket had a decent move.
I think you'll feel better about your wedge game.
Must Have For Fall: Swing Like Hogan, Look Like You've Just Been Outfitted By Nurse Ratched
/Finally An iPhone Swing Recording Device That Frees You From Relying On Unreliable Friends Or Other Range Rats
/John Strege with a review of what looks to be the solution to the problem of letting friends record your swing in shaky, incompetent fashion.
It's the CamCaddy and it's $37.95.
My only question as someone who uses iSwing to record, which won't work with this device because it requires manually recording when the swing starts.
What do you use for the best slow motion and playback?
Brandel: Originality Is Dead
/Interesting take from the always provocative Brandel Chamblee on parity in today's game.
Foley Says Kostis Mangled Tiger Swing Analysis
/Pete McDaniel talks to instructor Sean Foley, who explains how CBS on-course reporter Peter Kostis got it wrong in breaking down Tiger's swing last weekend when he described Tiger's clubface as being "toed-in'' when it really was the opposite.
Foley went on to explain that the shot was actually executed with an open clubface. Through body rotation Tiger imparted right-to-left spin on the ball and that's what made it curve.
"His clubface was open say three degrees and his body rotation amounted to four degrees. That's what produced the draw.''
Jacklin On Coaches Today: “There’s so much bull*&%$"
/"With designer glasses for goggles and haute couture as a wetsuit, Foley has been swimming upstream ever since."
/Jim Moriarty files the kind of profile that makes a Golf World contributor proud and is a must read. But since you all subscribe and received your issue last week, you know this.
Just in case you don't, here's a link to the digital edition where you'll learn the story of Sean Foley's rise both as an instructor to star players and simply the progression of a career devoted to the game. No matter how you feel about his philosophy, I'll be shocked if you aren't in admiration of his devotion to golf.
The story is also supported by interesting shots from Darren Carroll's camera.
Video: Dufner And Hogan...More Similar Than You Think
/No, the Hawk never sported a soul patch but check out this amazing CBS/Konica Minolta Biz Hub Swing Vision analysis by Peter Kostis and posted by the PGA Tour. He may not have won Sunday at Colonial, but his swing is looking pretty Hoganesque.
Also, Dufner threw out a decent first pitch at the Rangers game: