ShackHouse 41: 2017 Open Championship Preview
/In the first of three ShackHouse's this week,
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
ShackHouse 40: Travelers, Rory, Phil/Bones, Gladwell, House Pod
/With so much in the news House and I kick around a host of topics in this week's show, including the thrilling Travelers, Rory's putter lottery, the Phil/Bones split, Malcolm Gladwell's war on golf and news of House's new food podcast.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device's podcast subscription page. (I'm an Overcast fan, still.)
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 40 is here to listen to right now.
ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, makers of the Chrome Soft which still can be customized for free in the final days of June.
Get on it at CallawayGolf.com!
The Soundcloud embed option:
ShackHouse 39: 2017 U.S. Open Review
/Apologies in advance for some sound issues, clearly the tech Gods were not with us today as we had our first recorded show get torpedoed for a random tech issue that also tried to kill my second recording, too. 
Nonetheless, House and I reconvened for a mulligan post-U.S. Open show to consider the week of Brooks Koepka, Erin Hills as a venue, the USGA and Fox's mostly strong coverage.
Apologies in advance for the thunderstorm passing, naturally, as I recorded from a rental car en route to O'Hare (I pulled over)! And thanks to producer Jim Cunningham for making something out of our phone call.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 39 is here to listen to right now.
ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, makers of the Epic Driver that is now part of Callaway's very groovy Customs program along with Chrome Softs and other fun stuff. Check it out just in time to compensate for the Father's Day gifts you didn't get, or, if you just want to enjoy some fun customization play with the new Customs features.
The ShackHouse wedge above was created in the program and, as noted in the show, promo code HOUSE25 will get you $25 off a custom wedge purchase for the next week.
One more week, HOUSE25! And free customization of Chrome Softs in June. Get on it at CallawayGolf.com.
ShackHouse 38: Mark Loomis And The 2017 U.S. Open
/Mark Loomis, the producer behind Fox's USGA coverage joins the ShackHouse to discuss all that goes into a U.S. Open production, Erin Hills, his career in sports broadcasting, Keith Jackson and the state of televised golf. I think you'll find the conversation engaging!
Before Loomis, House and I set up the U.S. Open, Erin Hills and the players we think...might...might contend this week. It's a tough one to handicap, but that doesn't stop these two degenerates from helping you allocating your capital.
And in case you missed it, we interviewed USGA Executive Director Mike Davis on last week's issue as part of the runup to the U.S. Open.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 38 is here to listen to right now.
ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, makers of the Epic Driver that is now part of Callaway's very groovy Customs program along with Chrome Softs and other fun stuff. Check it out just in time with Father's Day, or, if you just want to enjoy some fun customization practice play with the new Customs features. It's wonderfully therapeutic!
The ShackHouse wedge above was created in the program and, as noted in the show, promo code HOUSE25 will get you $25 off a custom wedge purchase for the next two weeks.
Here is the Callaway Father's Day Gift Guide.
Here is the embed, though as always we recommend you subscribe wherever fine podcasts are streamed!
ShackHouse 37: The USGA's Mike Davis And Erin Hills
/In our pre-preview of the 2017 U.S. Open, USGA Executive Director Mike Davis joins us to discuss Erin Hills, venue selection, course setup and his investment in a public golf course.
A few of our questions were informed by this excellent Jaime Diaz Golf Digest interview with Davis, as mentioned in the show.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 37 is here to listen to right now.
ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, makers of the Epic Driver that is now part of Callaway's very groovy Customs program along with Chrome Softs and other fun stuff. Check it out just in time with Father's Day, or, if you just want to enjoy some fun customization practice play with the new Customs features. It's wonderfully therapeutic!
The ShackHouse wedge above was created in the program and, as noted in the show, promo code HOUSE25 will get you $25 off a custom wedge purchase for the next three weeks.
Here is the Callaway Father's Day Gift Guide.
Here is the embed, though as always we recommend you subscribe wherever fine podcasts are streamed!
ShackHouse 36: Kevin Kisner, Plus Tiger, Memorial & U.S. Open
/As we march toward the U.S. Open, get ready for a fun run of ShackHouses with great guests and insights into this mystery venue.
To kick off the next four weeks of pods, we've got Dean And Deluca winner Kevin Kisner in the house to discuss life in Aiken, his big win, this week's Memorial and the dynamics of this month's Zurich Classic where he and longtime buddy Scott Brown nearly pulled off the win.
The show also includes bickering about Tiger's DUI, the Memorial (with picks!) and an early look at U.S. Open odds.
But we're most excited that the guest still has the best non-major moment of the 2016-17 season:
Kisner gave the media a fun moment Tuesday at the Memorial pre-tournament presser:
We also discussed House's pod appearance with Bill Simmons and Bryan Curtis where Tiger chat preceded their Frank Deford show.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 36 is here to listen to right now.
ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, makers of the Epic Driver that is now part of Callaway's very groovy Customs program along with Chrome Softs and other fun stuff. Check it out just in time with Father's Day, or, if you just want to enjoy some fun customization practice play with the new Customs features. It's wonderfully addictive!
Here is the Callaway Father's Day Gift Guide.
The show:
ShackHouse 35: Tommy Roy And The Players
/Live on tape from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida arrives our pre-Players Championship preview.
Plus, special guest Tommy Roy of NBC Sports discusses his incredible career, golf on television and golf in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Then Travis Fulton of Golf Channel Academy joins us to talk junior golf, PVB and the Players.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 35 is here to listen to right now!
As always, ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, makers of the Epic Driver that is now part of Callaway's very groovy Customs program along with Mac Daddy's and Chrome Softs. Check it out.
ShackHouse 34: PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan
/New PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan enters the ShackHouse to chat about his new gig, the latest USGA/R&A announcement, future format possibilities, Golf Fights Cancer, his bucket list courses and more.
For a good pre-show primer, earlier this month SBJ's John Lombardo filed this piece on the business matters Monahan is confronting.
Prior to the Commish, House and I kick around the exciting new Zurich Classic format, our favorite teams and set up the Monahan interview with a chat about the current issues facing all sports commissioners.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 34 is here to listen to right now!
Or listen via this embed:
As always, ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, makers of the Epic Driver that is now part of Callaway's very groovy Customs program along with Mac Daddy's and Chrome Softs. Check it out.
ShackHouse Masters Pop-Up Pod: First Round Wrap And Odyssey Putter Giveaway
/It was a wild first day in Augusta National and Joe House and I did a quick breakdown of the Dustin Johnson WD, Charley Hoffman's great play, the extreme weather and hope that we can at least have an honest national discussion about hardwood floors.
The link is here on Soundcloud.
You can subscribe on iTunes.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Today's special pop-up edition of The Ringer's ShackHouse has a very, very special giveaway from Odyssey: the O-Works One-Wide Putter complete with the Microhinge insert and the awesome commemorative Arnold Palmer headcover you’re seeing the Callaway Pros with this week at Augusta.
Get over to the Callaway Community and sign up, enter a comment in the giveaway thread with the year Arnie won his third green jacket.
A winner will be named Monday following the Masters!
ShackHouse 31: 2017 Masters Preview
/The tradition unlike any other is here and Joe House and I talk all things Augusta National.
Among the topics covered: pushing back at Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship cynics, the new press center, the food, your Twitter questions and lots of make gambling picks and predictions.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 31 is here to listen to right now!
As always, ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, who debuted the latest episode of Callaway Live with Luke Wilson last week.
We're also sponsored by Callaway’s new Steelhead irons, so visit CallawayGolf.com to try the Iron Selector tool.
Best of all, they're offering ShackHouse listeners an Epic driver for the best iTunes review for the ShackHouse pod between now and when the 2017 Masters winner slips on his green jacket - and use the word “EPIC” somewhere in the review - and you’re entered to win a Driver.
ShackHouse 30: Leishman, Nachman, Brown & Shackelford
/It's not a law firm, I promise!
Only a jam-packed ShackHouse this week as Arnold Palmer Invitational winner Marc Leishman joins us to discuss the story behind his new (excellent-fitting) cardigan, his Masters preparation and his background with the Victorian Institute of Sport's Golf Program where he met longtime instructor Denis McDade.
Then, shifting toward the WGC Dell Match Play in Austin, we hit up multiple locals starting with Criquet's co-founders Billy Nachman and Hobson Brown. Besides making great clothes merging 70s aesthetics with modern sensibilities, they are also helping lead the fight to save Lions Municipal. Almost as important, they surprised us with a special 20% off for ShackHouse listeners using code SHACKHOUSE at their website.
To continue the great Ringer tradition of a podcast host calling his dad for a guest hit, we also talked Austin golf, UCLA basketball and the 2017 NCAA tournament with Lynn Shackelford, one of only four athletes to have started on three NCAA championship-winning basketball teams. This is the 50th anniversary of their first title, documented by Mike Lopestri at NCAA.com.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 30 is here to listen to right now!
Now, with this week's match play here is the ShackHouse league where the winner of our WGC Dell Match Play bracketology will get the joy of (A) inevitably beating House and I, and (B) taking home a new Odyssey putter with Microhinge Technology as discussed in the show.
As always, ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, who debuted episodes of Callaway Live with Jim Furyk, Mike Tirico, Adam Hadwin and this week, Michelle Wie who will be supported by the golf architecture-loving, Hawaiian-born, Isla Vista-reared, California reggae masters Iration.
We're also sponsored by Callaway’s new Steelhead irons, so visit CallawayGolf.com to try the Iron Selector tool.
Don't forget to join the Callaway Community to get a sneak peak on shows and the chance to submit questions to guests, though that's the least of the reasons to join!
ShackHouse 29: Adam Hadwin And Gary Williams
/We are joined by two guests this week
Read MoreShackHouse 28: Honda, Rules, Mexico City & Crossfield
/Golf instructor Mark Crossfield has quickly become one of the more trusted voices in golf equipment, instruction and travel reviews. The golf pro-turned-YouTube star joins us to discuss how he got became a disruptor and where he sees golf headed.
Before that, however, we discuss Rickie Fowler's Honda Classic win, the (embarrassing) outrage over Johnny Miller's frank commentary, forthcoming rule change news and some insights into Club de Chapultepec, host of this week's WGC Mexico.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page. Here is the direct iTunes link to this week's show.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 28 is here to listen to right now!
As always, ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, who start season 3 of Callaway Live this week. Tuesday's debut episode features Jim Furyk, followed by next week's newly-appointed primetime host of NBC's Olympic coverage, Mike Tirico.
Be sure to visit Callaway community that provided some of today's interview questions (thanks group) and to make yourself eligible to win a Furyk-signed 58 ball if you can accurately post how many times host Harry Arnett says "Ryder Cup" on the season premier.
ShackHouse 27: Riviera Week And John O'Donnell
/It's LA week on the PGA Tour so we talk some Riviera, some Spieth at Pebble Beach, some Tiger and to get in the LA golf mode, we interview Johnnie-O founder John O'Donnell fresh off of caddying for brother Chris.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page. Here is the direct link to this week's show.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 27 is here to listen to right now!
As always, ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, who have unveiled the new Great Big Bertha Epic driver, Microhinge Technology-fueled Odyssey putters coming to stores this Friday.
And this week, promo code HOUSE employed at CallawayGolf.com for orders over $100 gets you free swag!
Bring your love for golf talk online to the Community where House and I debut a debate this week on the West Coast Swing vs. Florida Swing.
And if our coastal bickering bores you, you can always find out about testing and review products before they are in stores, get custom fitting advice and more at the FREE Community.
ShackHouse 26: Pebble Beach Week & Herm Edwards
/Before one of the most engaging commentators in all of sports TV--ESPN's Herm Edwards--joins us to talk the Super Bowl, Monterey golf and his first Crosby with Peter Senior (!) a long time ago in a galaxy far away, House and I talk Tiger, Pebble Beach week and the importance of the next two weeks for Masters prognosticating.
As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page. Here is the direct link to this week's show.
Here is The Ringer's show page.
Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 26 is here to listen to right now!
As always, ShackHouse is brought to you by The Ringer while kindly sponsored by Callaway, who have unveiled the new Great Big Bertha Epic driver, Microhinge Technology-fueled Odyssey putters coming to stores February 17th, and the lively Callaway Community.
Bring your love for golf talk online to the Community where House and I debut a debate this week on the West Coast Swing vs. Florida Swing. Post below on whether you think I won 7&6 or 8&7!
And if our coastal bickering bores you, you can always find out about testing and review products before they are in stores, get custom fitting advice and more at the FREE Community.
