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

August 18, 2014

PGA Tour Murder Mystery Intrigue...For A Good Cause

August 18, 2014/ Geoff Shackelford

I'll admit, I'm jealous.

Who wouldn't love to attend an event featuring some crack mystery writers, including my favorite, Michael Connelly. And to see Jimmy Walker act out clues to a murder mystery even as the burden of losing his ResetCup points lead weighs on him as nerve-crushing pressure of the playoffs loom.

For Immediate Release...and it looks like some of the pricier tickets are still available for those of you near Saddle River...

Ragtime Rendezvous - A Murder Mystery Event

DATE:    Tuesday, August 19, 2014
TIME:    6:30 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
PLACE:    Private home in Saddle River, NJ

Tickets are limited to 150, and guests are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Ticket registration is available online at http://www.cafsnj.org/Ragtime. Please call Eve Marsan at 201-740-7107 for more information.

EXCERPT FROM THE EVENT INVITATION:

"This Crime Scene Wont Be the Same Without Your Presence

Please join us for a lavish cocktail party that will prove to be an evening full of twists, turns, and gasps that you won't want to miss!

With best-selling author Harlan Coben (a.k.a. Inspector General) as your emcee, you'll join crime-solving teams led by PGA TOUR Wives Association members and their PGA TOUR professional golfer spouses including Jimmy Walker, current FedEx Cup leader, to search for clues in a quest to unravel the mystery of this ragtime gangster-style whodunnit.

Who came up with the Reset Cup algorithm?

Whether you're mingling with mystery writers Mary Higgins Clark or Michael Connelly in the ballroom, carousing in the wine cellar, or toasting in the private theatre, youll need your finest sleuthing skills to be the first to expose the culprit, who could be anyone at this scintillating soiree. Even YOU!"

Scintillating soiree!

I wonder how many pro golfers beyond Jimmy Walker, who actually has many interests (including having another cool image featured by NASA), have even heard of these world famous authors?

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.

What Is The Quad?

Latest Post From The Quad:

Revisiting a Royal Melbourne Major

TheQuadrilateral.golf

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Book

Golf Architecture For Normal People now available for pre-order!

INSTAGRAM

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

Better than most sunset

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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