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

May 31, 2011

Brandel Brings Up Tiger And PED's, Even Though No One Asked

May 31, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Me thinks the Tiger true believers have been badgering Brandel Chamblee for his pointed analysis of Tiger's decline, because I'm not sure how else to explain the timing of a strange GolfChannel.com commentary offering the view that he does not believe Tiger ever used performance-enhancing drugs.

The argument is tortured when you consider some of Chamblee's recent remarks about how Tiger inexplicably changed the perfect golf body.

Why would he do something that would benefit him in the short term when he knows that it will take him years to achieve his dream? More importantly, he did not need to enhance his performance, he was dominant when he was sinewy. When Tiger looked down the range he did not see bulging muscles and athletes threatening to take away his crown, he saw slower, less gifted, softer athletes who were of little or no competition to him.

Critics, fans and jealous fellow competitors want him to be guilty of this era’s injected perfection, because it would explain what so many have failed to explain. Why was he so good? For all his faults, Tiger respects the records of this game and knows that his quest to break them is in need of only sweat, toil and time, not some magical cocktail injected in his veins. This is not to say that others in golf haven’t given into this temptation because I am certain they have. Unlike Tiger, others have wanted immediate gain, sought to close competitive gaps and harbored no desire to pursue records that required time.

So Brandel is certain others used PED's, yet he can't envision a scenario that others see for Tiger even though Tiger got noticeably larger and was a known patient of Dr. Spaceman, the world's most notorious HGH purveyer?

Here were Chamblee's comments prior to The Players, which may have prompted the above linked piece:

"Tiger's body was perfect for golf. He was lean, sinewy, quick. He's turned himself into an NFL linebacker — but why? In golf, you don't have to lift a car over your head. You swing an 11-ounce club."

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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