Phil: "There's no fire in the golf course right now"
/Phil Mickelson summed up the odd state of affairs at Augusta National right now: no fire.
Read MoreThe 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
The Pinehurst Takeaways After Week One: Mostly Great!
/The real stunner after week one of the U.S. Open(s) is how good the greens
Read MoreCourse Setup: “The USGA listened, unfortunately.”
/That was Martin Kaymer's assessment of the course setup Saturday at Pinehurst where players felt the hole locations were pretty consistently as difficult as they could possibly be.
Ryan Lavner reports for GolfChannel.com.
But on Saturday, “I think they used the hardest pins they could possibly use on almost every hole,” Jordan Spieth (72) said.
Said Matt Kuchar (71): “In practice rounds you guess where you think the pins will be and you kind of say, ‘Well, that’s too severe; they won’t put them there.’ And sure enough, that’s where the pin is. It seems to be year after year, and you should know better by now.”
Jim Achenbach has more extensive comments from Kuchar, who many times said he felt the course was teetering on the edge of going over the top.
Kuchar on Sunday's final round: "It (the course) teeters on unplayable … They've got it at the edge, and I'm sure they'll push the edge. I'm hoping a few pin placements are a little kinder tomorrow after they saw what went on today, but I'm not sure I'll get my wish."
Miami Meltdown: The Blue Monster Is Back!
/I'm not one to enjoy players struggling with tough conditions all too often,
Read MoreInteresting Dynamic: Dubai Offers $2.5 Million For Par 4 Ace
/Tournaments have gotten great mileage out of hole-in-one offerings over the years but
Read MoreWedge-Out Rough? Say Goodbye To Tiger At Torrey!
/Because if they keep this nonsense up with silly-thick rough around the greens,
Read MoreInjury Rough Is Back And It's Lamer Than Ever!
/I read through the lines after Sergio Garcia's post-round (76) comments about rough in Abu Dhabi, and wrote about it for GolfDigest.com. I think you'll be surprised to find Sergio was right to call out the course setup tactics.
Because just when you thought the days of injury-inducing rough had ended...
Update on 2014-01-16 20:56 by Geoff
**A SkySports.com report quotes broadcaster Ewan Murray praising the rough, even though it might induce injury.
Murray described the course set-up as "marvellous", and said: "You are talking about setting up the golf course to test some of the finest players in the game today. In my opinion, that examination needs to be a stern one.
"Straight driving is very much part of the game and those who hit most fairways should have the advantage over those who don't. You will not beat these players will length alone, but you will identify the best of them by putting the premium on accuracy.
"The Tour should shorten the course on perhaps two of the four days and combine that with tucking the pins away. Give them different tests rather than the same all four rounds.
"The courses in the States are too easy. There is little or no rough and that plays into the hands of the long hitters. Their setting up of courses creates one dimensional players.
Who'd a thunk we'd come to the point that the U.S. was home to low rough and it was Europe trying to give us the dreadful high-rough, yawnfest golf?
"We copy America too often. The European Tour should take the lead, add variety and ask the players some different questions. When you do that the best will come up with the answers."
Asking players to walk a fine thin center line is not asking a different question. It's asking the same one-dimensional question over and over again.
Elk, Slugger Clean Up At The Annual Huggy Awards
/John Huggan's annual
Read MoreWorld Cup: Royal Melbourne On Edge!
/The unprecedented pairing of the Australian Masters and World Cup in back-to-back weeks at Royal Melbourne posed only one possible issue:
Read MoreFuryk: "They pinched the fairways down. Everyone was playing from the same spots."
/2013 PGA runner-up Jim Furyk
Read MoreOak Hill Roundup: Perfect Fairways, Thick Rough & That 15th
/Joe Passov files
Read MoreVideo: Nobilo Explains Oak Hill's Graduated Rough
/I'll get a firsthand look Tuesday but based on some of the Tweeted photographs and looking at Frank Nobilo's analysis of the rough and select holes I feel like we're in for a repeat of the high rough, uber-plodding golf we saw the last time the PGA was at Oak Hill.
Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Be Excited About The Demise Of "Glory's Last Shot"...
/The Forecaddie this week says Tim Finchem also deserves credit for the demise of the PGA of America's silly "Glory's Last Shot" slogan. However, Finchem's reasoning had to do with the FedExCup glory looming after the PGA, not the sheer silliness.
Everyone on three...one, two, three: OY VEY!
Anyway while I was vacationing I see the PGA Of America confirmed they are getting rid of Glory's Last Shot and ushering in a fan contest to select a Sunday 15th hole location at Oak Hill.
Yes, it will be from one of four Kerry Haigh-determined hole locations but this still seems like something the other majors would never think of doing (even though Jack Nicklaus' endorsement helps soften the blow). Maybe I'd feel more excited if there were going to be fifteen PSA's and 435 commercial breaks during the perenially unwatchable PGA Championship telecast.
The Reuters story, and the PGA of America press release.
For Immediate Release:
A collaborative learning experience between The PGA of America and record-tying, five-time PGA Champion Jack Nicklaus, the "PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge" is designed to educate fans on how course setup impacts a golfer's strategy in playing a hole; attract more people to the game; and help explain what hole location information players are provided each day.
As a result, Haigh has identified and selected each of these four distinct Championship hole locations for fans to vote. On August 11, during Sunday's final round coverage on TNT and CBS, fans will be able to see the winning hole position that will be used on the 15th green.
