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

May 27, 2015

Jack And Donald Open Ferry Point...Again

May 27, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

I feel like this is at least the third golden shovel event, but should be the last as Trump Ferry Point is off and running. And receiving favorable reviews.

And based on their comments Tuesday, as reported by Hank Gola in the New York Daily News, majors are still very much on their mind. However the calendar for U.S. Opens appears filled until 2024 and the PGA Championship through 2022. The course does host the Barclays in 2017.

"It's going to stand the test of time and you're going to have some great events here, whether it's a U.S. Open or PGA Championship," Nicklaus said. "You're going to have a lot of events through time. Donald and I will be in a wheelchair, but that's all right, we're going to look down at it and say we had a part in that, proud of it and we did something that is going to be enjoyed by people for a long, long time. I'm very proud of that and very pleased that we had the opportunity to be involved."

Nicklaus is in Far Hills today to open the new Nicklaus Room at Golf House.

Rich Chere with a list of items on loan for the opening, with this accompanying video featuring Mike Trostel discussing a painting anchoring the permanent exhibit hall:

April 22, 2015

Jack & Tiger Talk For More Than A Minute Or Two!

April 22, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

You may recall a few years ago when Jack Nicklaus mentioned in passing

April 09, 2015

Video: The Honorary Starters Kick Off The 2015 Masters

April 09, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Arnold Palmer fought off his separated shoulder to kick off the 2015 Masters.

March 25, 2015

Video: Jack Nicklaus Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony

March 25, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Other than the huckster politicians bellowing on about nothing of much importance

March 24, 2015

Link: Nicklaus Gets His Congressional Medal At 3 PM ET

March 24, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Below is the live link, reportedly, for the March 24th, 2015 ceremony.

March 05, 2015

Kid Rock On Joining The Bear's Club, Tiger's Reclusiveness

March 05, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

The February 28, 2015 Rolling Stone features a Patrick Doyle-authored story on Bob Ritchie, aka Kid Rock, who has joined the Bear's Club and hit golf balls at Tiger's house.

Doyle writes:

Lately, Rock has been getting into golf. He was just accepted into Jack Nicklaus' private Bear's Club, near Palm Beach, Florida. "If you told me five years ago I'd have to take my hat off and tuck my shirt in, I'd have slapped the taste out of your mouth," Rock says. "Now I'm like, 'Look at me, hair slicked back, shirt tucked in.' I'm like, 'What a fag!' "

What a lovely sentiment. I think Jack needs to call Bob into his office, too.

As for Tiger, his comments were of interest. Really.

Rock recently got some pointers at the range from Nicklaus himself, and he hit balls at Tiger Woods' nearby house. "Nice kid," Rock says. "A little bit of an Eminem and Axl Rose syndrome. Very reclusive, literal, and sometimes you feel a little bad for them. Sometimes they think the world's against them. You gotta loosen up, man! People are gonna talk shit. You just gotta enjoy it!"

Continuing the music metaphors, the March 3rd, 2015 issue of Rolling Stone featured this Michael Weinreb piece suggesting Tiger has moved into Michael Jackson territory.

He is, as Sports on Earth's Will Leitch wrote, firmly ensconced in his "freak show" phase; he now appears so far removed from normal life that it's getting more difficult to imagine he'll ever be an object of mainstream affection any time soon. In, say, 2002, it would have seemed utterly absurd to compare Tiger Woods and Mike Tyson; now it feels like an increasingly apt metaphor. The fact that he felt the need to publicly attack a biting satirical column by a legendary sportswriter best known for biting satire may have been the least self-aware and most humorless screed by an athlete who was never exactly known for his edginess.

March 03, 2015

Bears Club Fine For MJ; Exclusive Video Of Meeting With Jack

March 03, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Tim Rosaforte reported in his Golf World video diary that Michael Jordan texted him to clear the air regarding his plans to build what the Jupiter market so desperately needs: an ultra-exclusive golf club.

MJ confirms he's interviewing architects, with Tom Doak as the leading candidate to design the course, Rosaforte reports. The NBA legend mostly wanted to deny that pace of play at Jack Nicklaus' Bears Club is driving him away.

However, my sources suggest Jordan was called into Mr. Nicklaus' office at Bears Club and the two had a healthy discussion about the claims in golf.com's original report, even sharing a Fresca to break the ice. Here's the exclusively obtained footage: