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

Available via Amazon (US): Golf Architecture For Normal People

Barnes And Noble (online and in stores)

Amazon Australia

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

“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

September 23, 2009

Golf World Survey Responders Clearly Like To Be Tortured

September 23, 2009/ Geoff Shackelford

Uh, something's wrong with this list of readers favorite private courses but I'm not sure exactly what it is. Help anyone?

Oak Hill
Augusta
Pine Valley
Kinloch
Oakmont
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club
Inverness
The Ridge at Back Brook
Aronimink
Cypress Point
Firestone
Shinnecock Hills

I've always said that The Ridge at Back Brook or Robert Trent Jones Golf Club should be mentioned in the same breath as Cypress Point or Shinnecock Hills. And you know how I adore Firestone. But Oak Hill No. 1 on a list other than Best Private Courses Mangled By Jones' AND Fazio's? That's a stunner.

Ryan Herrington was charged with the task of explaining the inexplicable responses. You can also find links to the other lists including web-only state-by-state compilations.

Update on 2009-09-23 16:30 by Geoff

The Angry Golfer sounds quite pleased:

Never mind that we have a couple of Bubblegum Pistachios ranking high on our lists, or that Pebble Beach finished 28th among resort destinations behind a few places I didn't know existed. The primary purpose of a survey such as this is to start a discussion that leads to a full-blown argument, which may or may not lead to all four bigmouths taking second mortgages on their homes to finance a trip to the Monterey Peninsula, where they can decide for themselves if that journey to the holy ground was worth all the trouble.

Geoff Shackelford

Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning Drive, is co-host of The Ringer's ShackHouse is the author of eleven books.

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