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 08, 2011

Hot Mike Files: Boehner Takes Biden Through His August Golf

September 08, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Just moments before President Obama delivered his jobs speech before Congress, Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner talked golf and unbeknownst to them, it was heard by anyone watching the feed.

I'm not sure what's more painful in what will now be Exhibit A for people who hate golf: Boehner's self-indulgent blow-by-blow or Biden acting like it's the most amazing story he's ever heard.

The transcript:

Boehner: "Hey I'm one of those barbarians."

Biden: "You are, where's the gate, where's the gate?"

Boehner: "How are you?"

Biden: "How are you pal?"

Boehner: "I'm alright."

Biden: "We've got a heck of a lot of work…"

Boehner: "I played a little golf in August, and I was at Dismal River Golf Club out in Sand Hills, Nebraska. It's in the middle of nowhere. One of the hardest golf courses you'll ever want to see. Sand Hills and Dismal. Seven birdies, five bogies, I shoot two under."

Biden: "You're kidding me!"

Boehner: "So we have lunch, sitting around for about an hour, and I thought, why don't we go play nine more holes. Six pars, three birdies, and I missed a four foot, straight in birdie on the last hole.

Biden: "No!"

Boehner: "So the next day I go to Sand Hills, I shoot 86."

Biden: (Indecipherable)

Boehner: "One day I play great, the next day I play awful. But this was the round of the decade."

Biden: "That's incredible!"

Boehner: "I haven't done this in 12 years, I shot 67 one time down..."

And the video, in case you think I'm making the above stuff up, especially the part where Biden tries to suggest we have a lot of work to do and the Speaker keeps describing the best day of his golfing life ala The Bishop in Caddyshack:

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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Labor Day Sunday sunset shots, in reverse order. Today saw the highest recorded temperature in LA County. 🥵

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Thanks to @collin_morikawa for capping off a great week in style with the lowest final 36 holes in major history, and to the @pga and @pgatour for putting on a safe, well orchestrated week in tough circumstances. Nice of @stephencurry30 to stop by fo

@rorymcilroy, 15th fairway, 2020 @pgachampionship @tpchardingpark. Hoganesque!

@tigerwoods practicing at Harding Park, 2020 @pgachampionship Monday. He looks focused and flexible. Watch the first shot, his tee ball on the 4th with such a full throttle swing he had a bit of a Greg Norman follow-through. With an unfriendly breeze

Unorthodox at the (almost) top, Classic at the finish. @matthew_wolff5 @thegenesisinv

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