Video: Cap-Catching Flop Shot
/To have young, quick hands like Joris Spanjer,
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
Video: Crazy Like A County Louth Golf Course Fox
/Chris Hargreaves had a fun round at County Louth,
Read MoreVideo: 492-Foot Bowling Strike On A Golf Course
/Pretty impressive from the How Ridiculous lads.
Read MoreVideo: A Different Kind Of Bunker Hole-Out
/Velten Meyer of Germany dropped this beauty
Read MoreVideo: Bubba The Happy Trick Shotster Is Back!
/He's happy, he's trying trick shots, he's playing the Pebble Beach Pro-Am for himself, not his sponsors. Woohoo!
Trick Shot Roundup: Dropped From A Paraglider, Over The Head And Kids Living In Trick Shot Harmony
/Loving the winter time blues inspiring all sorts of creativity, not that our desert dwelling friends are experiencing tough weather.
First, in the Don't Try This At Home Division, Russell Grove has his ball teed up by a paragliderer.
Trick shot veteran Mathias Scholberg and the strongest hands in golf are at it again:
International recording raconteur Matty has paired with up-and-coming artist Joris, who both got our attention with their shots hit just about anywhere in the world. Let's hear it for Generation Z!
Video: The Best Three Putterer Ever Just Got Better
/Pinehurst Golf Academy's Kelly Mitchum, the only golf instructor proud of his ability to three-putt, is back at it again.
The clip, courtesy of Alex Podlogar:
Update on 2016-02-02 06:06 by Geoff
**We discussed this gem on Morning Drive.
Video: Student Sinks Full Court Putt Worth...$500!?
/Surely the good folks at Franklin Pierce University could find a way to pay student Brandon Knight more than the $500 he won for draining a full court, halftime putt?
Nice job by Connor Foley to capture this and Sportscenter to post it:
Video: Motorcross Star And Friends Pull Of Fun Backyard Shot
/Motorcrosser Taylor Robert says, "When your buddy casually tosses you a Red Bull and there is a random guy playing golf in the background 😳😳😳 Good times messing around with @pat_smage and @russellgrove777 in my backyard yesterday."
Okay, so it was a little more orchestrated than that. Big points for the creativity and execution of this, though I could think of easier ways to hit a ball and drink a Red Bull.
Video: Trick Shot Proves Someone's Been Doing Core Work
/Ok, just standing on one of those medicine balls is a nice feat.
The rest of Kevin Carpenter's trick shot is mighty impressive...(H/T to Golfweek's Kevin Casey):
Finished my practice on the range @ADGolfChamps and @GolfTrickBoys turn up for a spot of practice before their show! pic.twitter.com/G9PPN4yVf9
— Chris Wood (@Chris3Wood) January 20, 2016
Videos: Trick Shots In Polar Opposite Climates, Shih Tzu Puppy
/A few of you wanted to see the trick shots we talked about on Morning Drive and couldn't find them, so alas, here they are.
From Carlos Tercero on Instagram:
And in the polar opposite, polar climate division, Anton Rosen of Stockholm and Monterey, California:
And I know what you're going to say, it's come to this. He's posting Shih Tzu puppy dog videos. And I don't really care because he's just that adorable. Even if he weighs less than a Titleist.
Blame the Grill Room:
Video: DeChambeau's Elevates The Tight Rope Walk
/Current U.S. Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau continues his run-up to the Masters and the day the eccentric golfer turns pro, signing with The Legacy Agency last week (Ryan Lavner reports.)
In the meantime the former SMU golfer appears to be enjoying desert life, walking a tightrope between palm trees and even having someone fire shots at him:
Update on 2016-01-12 06:03 by Geoff
**Uh oh, taken down. Oops! Hmm....
Video: Golf Ball In The Corner Pocket!
/Joshua Kelley is 26, married to an apparently patient woman, lives in South Jersey and plays to a scratch. He also calls himself a trickshot artist and this little corner pocket shot shows some ingenuity both in vision and execution.
Video: Holiday Trick Shot Roundup
/The holiday break means one of two things: new GoPro's in the stockings to try out for trick shots, or cripplingly cold weather that leads otherwise good golfers to experiment with a fun shot.
Team Fana of Norway's Junior squad has a page devoted solely to their efforts and while I'll try not to figure out why they hit balls into the one lake not yet frozen, I instead focused on the deft handwork that led to this gem (note the initial mini-flop shot...soft hands!).
A young lad going under Joris Golf is taking his talents to new locales, namely cool European public spaces. Look out Matty18Unda!
And finally in our don't-try-this-at-home award winner, Black Diamond Design's Tyson Lamb is unveiling a new putter at the 2016 PGA Show, but in the meantime he's showing some trick shot courage here...
Video: Lob Shot Into The Upper Left Corner Pocket
/I believe he's pro golfer Rinaldi Adiyandono, but Indofreestylegolf on Instagram posted his lob shot landing in the shirt pocket. And who says those pockets are only good for cigarettes, betting slips and tip money?
The shot:
