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
I managed to make it into the Masters merchandise center off the first fairway and as usual the folks have put together some fun, fresh items.
There's a bit of something for everyone and while I know most buy shirts and hats, most of the pieces included in this Golfweek.com slideshow are of the gift/keepsake/one-of-a-kind.
Just click on the first image and the slideshow will kick in. Enjoy!
Not surprising a "grow the game" initiative centered around fun, family, simplicity and a possible trip to Augusta National, is a success.
Still, as I point out in this short Golfweek assessment from Augusta after year four of the Drive, Chip and Putt, it's an event that could have fizzled. Yet it has succeeded both in exposing talented kids to fun competition, but also is "growing the game" in ways we might not have imagined. The characterization by officials of the numbers suggest the event is not slowing down.
Rex Hoggard tells some of the kids' stories for GolfChannel.com and what's motivating them to get to the DCP.
Ryan Herrington at GolfDigest.com on Fred Couples livening up one of the trophy ceremonies. Not Gary Player livening up, but still better than just a boring speech.
Jordan Spieth, favorite of most of the participants, checked out the proceedings.
The official website's gallery of images.
Rich Lerner and Peter Jacobsen recap the day with highlights of the best moments.
The winner's interviews:
Girls
7-9 Division (Maye Huang – Katy, Texas)
10-11 Division (Lucy Yuan – San Diego, Calif.)
12-13 Division (Alexa Pano – Lake Worth, Fla.)
14-15 Division (Savannah Grewal – Mississauga, Ontario)
Boys
7-9 Division (Carter Gaede – Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
10-11 Division (Liam Hartling – Redlands, Calif.)
12-13 Division (Zachary Colon – Bolton, Mass.)
14-15 Division (Mason Quagliata – Scottsdale, Ariz.)
The kids are back!
Given the bleak forecast in Houston, it may just be the wondrous little ones and the first major of the year from Mission Hills for your Sunday viewing pleasure.
But beyond the mere necessity of needing some golf viewing, the Drive, Chip & Putt has been entertaining, humbling and inspirational. To see these young people thrown out into such a potentially intimidating situation and perform has been a privilege for me to cover. The skill and fortitude of these young golfers is something to behold. As is Gary Player's annual lecture on whatever he sees plaguing the youth!
Golf Channel will do its best to cover these amazing DCP participants starting earlier at 8 am ET following a shortened Morning Drive, meaning we'll see even more shots than the first three years.
Ryan Herrington filed this article with graphic explaining how it all works for the kids from the drive up Magnolia Lane to the actual competition.
All of the finalists are listed here at the official website.
Easily the best story is that of Alex Panos, making her third appearance in the "DCP". Here is her story, narrated by Rich Lerner:
After years of his tournament carefully embracing social media, Masters Chairman Billy Payne has finally joined Twitter at @chairmanbilly.
As with many new Twitter users, Payne first posted the dreaded "testing" Tweet that has since been deleted.
He then jumped into Twitter head first, picking up on the trend of companies telegraphing what their players will wear Masters week, only offering up his tie scripting for the 2017 Masters week.
The image of Chairman Payne's ties puts an end to any rumored patron-wagering on Chairman tie choices. The practice was thought to be inspired by bettors at Royal Ascot speculating on the Queen's dresses. His Tweet shows one Augusta National tie and two from the R&A's Open collection.
In the Chairman's first interaction with a follower, he clarified that the rest of his ensemble never changes:
Will Gray reporting from the Shell Houston Open where Jordan Spieth's missed cut wouldn't have turned many heads except for a fascinating post-round quote.
The 2015 Masters champion said:
“I think we know, and the other players that are playing next week know, that we strike fear in others next week,” Spieth said. “So that’s our idea, that’s going to be my confidence level going in, and we’ll step on the first tee ready to play.”
They've listed tablet picture-in-picture capabilities (two channels at one time viewing?), Apple Watch notifications and Shot Tracker enhancements listed as new to 2017, but most interesting of all will be Apple TV options that allow the legendary feeds to be seen on a big screen.
Of course those great feeds remain Amen Corner Live, Holes 15 and 16, Featured Groups and Masters On The Range.
Looking at the App's schedule, Monday includes an hour of coverage at hole 16 from 2-3 pm ET.
Here is the iTunes link for IOS users.
Here are the Masters Live times that encompass both the app and website options for viewing.
The 2017 Masters Live line-up of channels include:
● Featured Groups: This year, for the first time, Bill Macatee will tee off coverage of the 2017 Masters along with Davis Love III on Thursday morning with Featured Groups.
In addition, Andrew Catalon, Brian Crowell, Mark Immelman, Billy Kratzert and Love III will also serve as announcers for the Featured Groupslive streaming coverage of select pairings throughout their entire round each day.
● Amen Corner: Live streaming video of the 11th, 12th and 13th holes from Augusta National. Grant Boone and Billy Ray Brown will serve as announcers for Amen Corner.
● 15 & 16: Live streaming video of the 15th and 16th holes from Augusta National. Bobby Clampett, Luke Elvy and Ned Michaels will provide commentary and analysis for 15 & 16.
● Masters On The Range: The live show originating from the Tournament Practice Area at Augusta National will be presented Monday through Sunday on CBSSports.com and CBS Sports Network. Masters On The Range will feature interviews with players and analysis of the field leading up to the start of the 2017 Masters and throughout the Tournament. Catalon, Clampett, Immelman and Kratzert will provide commentary.
In addition to the four channels of live golf action, Masters Live will present the following video highlights:
● In-Progress and End-of-Day Highlights: Video highlights of play during the 2017 Masters Tournament, including in-progress highlights and a round recap at the end of each day.
● Highlights from the Par 3 Contest: First played in 1960, the Par 3 Contest has become a beloved Wednesday tradition at the Masters. The 2017 Masters Par 3 Contest will be held on Wednesday, April 5.
● Historical Highlights: On-demand video of memorable highlights and classic moments from past Masters Tournaments.
● Augusta National Aerials: On-demand video fly-overs of Augusta National allowing fans to enjoy the beauty of one of the most famous golf courses in the world.
● Press Room: On-demand highlights of player interviews conducted in the Interview Room from Augusta National.
Masters Live and additional features available on Masters.com will be available for free at CBSSports.com.
The Masters, the most renowned tournament in golf, will be broadcast on CBS Sports for the 62nd consecutive year, a record for the longest-running sporting event broadcast on one network. This year marks the 81st Masters Tournament, one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year.
Schedule for Masters Live Video Feeds on CBSSports.com and Masters.com in 2017
* Start and end times are estimates and subject to change. All times eastern daylight.
Featured Groups*
Thursday, April 6: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday, April 7: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 8: 10:30 AM – Completion of play
Sunday, April 9: 10:30 AM – Completion of play
Amen Corner*
Thursday, April 6: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday, April 7: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday, April 8: 12:00 Noon – 6:00 PM
Sunday, April 9: 12:00 Noon – 6:00 PM
15 & 16*
Thursday, April 6: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM
Friday, April 7: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM
Saturday, April 8: 12:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 9: 12:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Masters On The Range (Also airs on CBS Sports Network)
Monday, April 3: 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM
Tuesday, April 4: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Wednesday, April 5: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Thursday, April 6: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Friday, April 7: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Saturday, April 8: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday, April 9: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The Golf Channel's pre-Masters teleconference call included this from Brandel Chamblee, writes G.C. Digital fresh from a two-week tour of Myrtle Beach's best courses.
G.C. writes:
“If you can believe anything that you read on social media – I know that his coach has been down there, and they’ve been hitting a lot of golf balls down in Palm Beach. The way I understand it, he’s been practicing quite diligently. So it wouldn’t surprise me if Tiger showed up at Augusta National.”
For his part, Montgomerie said that if Woods does show up, he hopes fans don’t see the 14-time major champ bowing out after “77-78 and going home from there.”
As the Masters approaches I'm not sure there is much to read into Dustin Johnson's WD from the Shell Houston Open following his WGC Dell Match Play, citing fatigue that surely wasn't helped by those 2-a-day Soulcyle classes last week.
Bob Harig reports for ESPN.com:
"After a great deal of thought and consultation with my team, I have decided to withdraw from this week's Shell Houston Open,'' Johnson said in a statement. "Having played seven rounds of competitive golf in the last five days, I feel it is best to give my mind and body a much-needed rest heading into Masters week.''
Meanwhile Jason Day says he hasn't touched a club since his match play WD and a Masters appearance will depend on his mom's prognosis.
From an AP story:
“It’s very, very difficult to even think about playing golf when a loved one is going through such a traumatic experience,” Day said. “Once I get past this initial stage, hopefully I’ll find some balance and I’ll be able to kind of move on and really focus on getting my game back.
“Unfortunately, I’m human. I like to feel like I’m always on it, I’m always … ready to go and trying to compete and I want to get back to that stage but sometimes it’s very, very difficult.”
Maybe it's shaving the goatee or just his overall upbeat glow for someone who has been off the grid, but while appearing on Good Morning America and promoting his 1997 Masters book Tiger Woods looked well. The positive appearance only adds to the mystery surrounding his latest absence due to back spasms. 
Yes, he looks older without his hat and signature form-fitting golf shirts. But it's hard not to watch all of this and wonder what genuinely plagues him that he's still not able to go to his office: the golf course. But for his fans Woods offered a glimmer of hope. Steve DiMeglio reports after getting an exclusive sitdown for USA Today.
“I do have a chance,” to play, Woods told USA TODAY Sports in an exclusive interview. “I’m trying everything I possibly can to get to that point. I’m working, I’m working on my game. I just need to get to a point where I feel like I’m good enough, and I’m healthy enough to do it."
In the good news/bad news department, Woods is attending the Champions Dinner but essentially has left open the possibility for no decision on his playing status until the last minute.
Yes, we've seen this movie before and no one wanted to see it a second time.
DiMeglio filed a separate piece on the 1997 Masters book written with Lorne Rubenstein. Reading about this kind of detail sounds great:
Woods, who hopes to play in next month's Masters, explains how he used a persimmon driver to hone his swing the week before the 1997 Masters and made use of Golf Channel’s video library to study Augusta National’s treacherous greens. He tees up his thoughts about the changes made to the course to combat technological advances in the game.
In NYC, Alex Myers talked to the fans who waited a long time in line to get the book signed at Barnes and Noble.
The GMA segment featured a putting contest that made for good TV:
WATCH: @TigerWoods defeats @michaelstrahan in a putting contest...and fires off his signature fist pump! pic.twitter.com/03YPWlQRr4
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 20, 2017
This would all be humorous if it weren't for Tiger appearing unable to play the Masters, especially on the 20th anniversary of his historic win and when the sport would desperately love to see him return. Yet common sense suggests a Masters appearance is looking grim.
But not in Mark Steinberg's way of thinking.
Golf World's Brian Wacker quotes unnamed sources saying Tiger "seems unlikely" to play given that the 4-time Masters winner is only putting and hasn't been seen hitting golf balls by people in Jupiter.
Woods’ agent did not respond to an email seeking an update on his condition and schedule, but one source close to the situation near Woods' home in Jupiter, Fla., said, “I would be shocked if he plays anytime soon.”
Another source said that he saw Woods recently and he "didn't look good," adding that while he hopes he is back soon, Woods doesn't look close to being ready and that a return at the Masters would be too soon. The source added that all Woods has been able to do of late has been putt.
Golf World's Tim Rosaforte was the recipient of agent Steinberg's rebuttal to the Golf World report (!) but did it via Golf Channel's Nick Menta (!!).
"I have no idea who Mr. Wacker’s really close sources are. I can tell you this, nobody spoke to him (Wacker); so how he could know something that Tiger and I don’t know is comical," Steinberg said. "I talked to Tiger four hours ago on the phone. We’re not in a situation to even talk about playing in the Masters now.
Eh, em...Steiny...psst...it starts less than three weeks from now...
He’s gotten treatments and is progressing and hoping he can do it. There’s not been a decision one way or the other. I couldn’t give you a fair assessment, but to say it’s doubtful is an absolutely inaccurate statement."
It's doubtful.
Sorry! Wish the signs pointed in a more positive direction.
**Tim Rosaforte confirmed on Morning Drive that the chatter around Jupiter--"interclub to interclub, golf gym to golf gym"--suggests Tiger has not been seen playing or practicing. Rosaforte notes this may be misleading since Tiger could be practicing at his home facility.
Rosaforte also notes, "if Tiger was hitting balls you would have heard about it and read about it by now from me, just living down there."
There are two ways to interpret Doug Ferguson's AP story on the Masters no longer including former major winners--aka "honorary invitees"--to the Par-3 Contest proceedings:
A) The club thought having the extra participants was deterring current Masters invitees from playing the Par 3.
B) They just didn't like the look of the occasional "who is that" taking part in the Par 3 or, more likely, playing a practice round on the big course.
I'm guessing the answer is A, but I have to wonder if today's players skip the Par 3 in part because the family fun day vibe it's taken on. Yes, yes, it's a wonderful family event, etc... But the Par 3 is not nearly as fun as what it had become through the years: a lively, quick competition involving most of the tournament participants that just happened to include some former major winners.
Because for every Mitch Voges there was a Jack Fleck who added to the fun and aura of the proceedings. Anyway, the Masters folks have their reasons no doubt and maybe it'll be better. And the former Masters champions are still there, which, to most fans, is most important.
From Ferguson's story:
Now, however, the club is asking that they no longer play practice rounds or use the practice facility.
Augusta National said in an email that honorary invitees still have special access to the Masters, but that the Par 3 Contest will be limited because of increased participation and interest. ESPN has televised the Par 3 Contest since 2008.
"As a person and an honorary invitee, I'm disappointed because it was my favorite day of the year," former British Open champion Ian Baker-Finch said Tuesday. "I loved it. I'll still be there, though, and I'll watch like everyone else."
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
