When one comes to the quality of the bunkers and other hazards we pass into realm of much dispute and argument. Primarily bunkers should be sand bunkers purely, not composed of gravel, stones or dirt. Whether this or that bunker is well placed, has caused more intensely heated arguments outside of the realms of religion, than has ever been my lot to listen to. C.B. MACDONALD

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

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Amazon Australia

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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

January 20, 2015

Product Line Wish: Nike's JUST SKULL IT.

January 20, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Seeing Tiger Woods show up for Lindsey Vonn’s record-breaking performance in a less-than-incognito skull mask might seem a tad strange to the conservative golf world. But these could also be the early days of a new Nike line aimed at the under-represented cold-weather millennial golfer who adores the Oakland Raiders.

I understand it’s not my place to tell companies what products to make, but there is an opportunity to tap a market that can grow the game by activating previously non-transcendable demographics.

So here’s what I’m thinking for Just Skull It. with help from the art department providing the visionary product design mock-up and first advertising piece.

Here goes:

The Nike Golf Reversible Knit Hat is made of ultra-soft reversible fabric, with a Honolulu evening gray for those nighttimes when you don’t want homeless people to mug you and a softer, East Bay gray when you’re headed out to to watch a Raiders game in your favorite dad jeans. The “Just Skull It” slogan fronts this must-have piece of 21st century golf gear. Retail: $34.95

To round out the package, Nike introduces its first cold weather Tiger Woods Limited Edition Skull Mask that can double as Halloween costume or just lend extra non-recognition for those late Sunday afternoons when you take your yacht around Hobe Sound. The revolutionary UltraDri-FORM Max Compression fabric breathes to help your mouth remain dry or to send extra oxygen to your new implants. An interior layer of UltraDri-FORM also absorbs foul language when you skull, chunk or otherwise flub a wedge shot around the greens. The human skull motif fronting the mask features a missing tooth for added intensity and fear factor for your Day of the Dead celebration, with full branding value delivered via the UBERDay-GLO Nike swoosh. Retail: $49.95

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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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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