When 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
Fun bit from the Asian Tour who read how Google translates the names of Asian Tour golfers.
The Tweet:
What happens when the #AsianTour golfers use #Google to translate their names? The results are hilarious.https://t.co/51zZbQttSP
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 20, 2016
Ralph K.M. Haurwitz of the Austin American-Statesman reports that Lions Municipal has been added to the National Register of Historic Places due to its place in the civil rights movement.
The University of Texas has wanted to convert course into mixed-use development. The centrally located course was home to Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite.
Stick with it, because it's a good reminder that golf can be universal in many forms, with a diverse cast of followers. Especially in Compton!
Erik Anders Lang takes us on a tour of Compton's par 3 course.
Nice spot by golf.com of this Brazilian bird called a "Siriema" bouncing a golf ball off a path. Presumably, the bird thinks these are eggs.
After the second strike-out trying to crack the egg, it is properly freaked out.
Nice spot Patrick Kiernan to find another video of that enormous Buffalo Creek Golf Course gator in Palmetto, Florida.
Make sure to watch both to see how large he is compared to the nice-sized tree, and then to enjoy when he just collapses in joy on the grass for a Vitamin D and relaxation.
My favorite line overheard from our gator chasers, "Get next to it for perspective." Right!
From Sarasota's ABC affiliate:
Just a shame God's tortured creature here didn't land a nice, bruising, bleeding bite...
A video posted by Golf Gods (@golf_gods) on May 7, 2016 at 2:13pm PDT
Thanks to Tom Kirkendall for the sobering and shocking drone footage shot above Houston's Raveneaux Golf Club following April 18th's 17-inches of rain event.
The course sits on the other side of the Cypress Creek from Champions Golf Club. I think I speak for all of you that our thoughts are with all of the people and critters trying to manage this awful situation. Seven have died, billions done in damage and more rain is expected.
The flyover:
The pitch was promising, the execution solid though I'm not sure I really sensed how golf saved the life of Patrick Q.F. Barr in this 30 for 30 Short.
In the first of several shorts to be released by ESPN in the next few weeks, director Christopher Andre’ Marks tells the story of “Tiger Hood” and a Barr finding new purpose in life through his makeshift Manhattan golf. He hearkens a bit to old featherie makers, only his medium: old milk cartons.
There are worse ways to lose 7 minutes of your life you'll never get back...though I'd say Gene Wojciechowski's report from Korea on Sang Moon Bae is a better watch.
Remember, there are beginners who would gladly put these to use!
I grant you that the satisfaction level must have been high in sending these clubs to their grave. Or until the staff of Papago recovered them.
From the CartBarnGuys:
A photo posted by The Cartbarnguys™ (@cartbarnguys) on Feb 25, 2016 at 5:33pm PST
The Daily Journal's Dennis Yohnka reports that Joe McCourt and Don Sawyer made back to back aces in front of a third witness.
The freak occurrence came at Illinois' Manteno Golf Club in front of Lee Hahn. They were playing the 135-yard 5th.
"Joe hit first and it looked like it went screaming over the green, but we couldn't see it too good. Don hit next and it looked like he went past the green, too. Then, I shot and I was feeling pretty good: My shot landed about 10 feet from the cup," Hahn said.
McCourt and Sawyer were in the same cart and they headed straight for the area behind the green, looking for what they assumed were less-than-ideal tee shots. McCourt had used a seven wood, but didn't get much loft. Sawyer used a three iron.
"I couldn't find anything back there, so I was walking back toward the hole and looked in," McCourt said. "I saw the two balls in there. The logos on the balls were facing straight up. I knew they were ours. But I didn't take them out. I wanted the other guys to see them."
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
