It's Alive! Masters Twitter Account Tweets Last Ike's Tree Pic
/Long dormant (and missing past Tweets now), The Masters
Read MoreWhen one comes to the quality of the bunkers and other hazards we pass into realm of much dispute and argument. Primarily bunkers should be sand bunkers purely, not composed of gravel, stones or dirt. Whether this or that bunker is well placed, has caused more intensely heated arguments outside of the realms of religion, than has ever been my lot to listen to. C.B. MACDONALD
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
Why I’m Excited For The Drive, Chip And Putt
/I haven’t sensed much interest in Sunday’s Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Read MoreVideo: CNN Retracing Alister MacKenzie's Footsteps
/One of the segments from this weekend's CNN International's Living Golf. Great scenes of Alwoodley with historian Nick Leefe in this, and more with host Shane O'Donoghue.
Thanks to reader Mark for this:
The segment following features Ben Crenshaw talking on the 30th anniversary of his first Masters win, but it's the stuff on 1995 that's really good. If not, you can view it here.
Augusta West In Houston And Pre-Masters Preparation
/In a Golf World column, Curt Sampson writes about the great job the Shell Houston Open
Read MoreCurtis On Tiger: "I didn't think he was going to be a big part of the picture anyway come the weekend"
/That was Curtis in response to questions about losing Tiger
Read MoreTom Weiskopf On Playing Golf Like An Artist, To A Point
/Jaime Diaz catches up with Tom Weiskopf since his name is in the pre-Masters buzz
Read MoreCould A Geezer Win The 2014 Masters?
/Bernhard Langer sure tried last year and Fred Couples has given it a few shots only to struggle with this putter on Sunday.
Read MoreHank On Tiger: "I think it is just a question of how much is he going to practice, how hard is he going to work?"
/Hank Haney appeared via phone on Morning Drive and also
Read MoreNot April Fool's: Tiger Has Surgery, Out Of Masters
/I kept reading this April 1
Read MoreState Of The Game Podcast 36: Gil Capps Talking '75 Masters
/We talked all things 1975 Masters with Gil Capps, author of the outstanding new book The Magnificent Masters. Capps is a managing editor of the Golf Channel's Editorial Research Unit, and is a longtime member of the NBC golf team.
We also talk about this year's Masters in a longer-than-usual State of the Game, but considering how bizarre the run-up has been to Augusta there is just a lot ot talk about!
As usual, you can download or listen via iTunes, as an MP3 or listen below.
Masters Mood: All Things Adam Scott
/We're just eight days from the new unofficial start of the Masters,
Read MoreReport: Justin Rose Hears Augusta's Trees Look "Shredded"
/Cameron Morfit reports that Justin Rose
Read MoreRe-Thinking The Year-End World Top 50 Masters Invite
/It seems like inside-the-Beltway stuff but the Masters exempting the Official World Golf Ranking's top 50 has many ramifications, most of them negative.
Doug Ferguson makes a case for the Masters taking the top 50 closer to the tournament.
The top 50 at the end of the preceding year received invitations, along with the top 50 a month before the Masters. Starting in 2003, the final cutoff was moved to one week before the Masters.
The club has never said why it takes the top 50 at the end of a calendar year. Perhaps it's so players can make travel arrangements, or perhaps it was to give an advantage to overseas players, who compete deep into the year. PGA Tour members have more avenues to qualify throughout the season.
But imagine what would happen if there was only one cutoff for the top 50 in the world, and it followed the Florida swing.
Matteo Manassero (51), Branden Grace (57), David Lynn (65) and Peter Hanson (70) all were in the top 50 in December. They would have spent the Florida swing trying to stay in the top 50 or move back in. That change might be something for Augusta National to consider if it feels the field is getting too close to 100 players.
Getting In The Masters Mood: Podcast Edition
/It was my great privilege to appear on Mitch Laurence's Golf Connections show to discuss the run-up to the Masters, but I'd evn more strongly recommend listening to his recent pre-Masters shows with Ben Wright, Frank Christian and John Derr. (Scott Michaux had a great piece on Derr last year.)
The Masters memories are flowing, and it's a treat to hear what these grizzled veterans of all things Augusta have to say.
I explain all and link to the shows here in this GolfDigest.com Local Knowledge item.
Masters Mood Guide: Music Edition
/I say Masters, you hear Dave Loggins' piano playing on a Thursday afternoon for the first time in a year.
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