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

October 21, 2015

Saturday: More Watch Live Champions Tour Than Live PGA Tour

October 21, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Sure, Madison Avenue will just say that most of The Villages was watching the Champions Tour from San Antonio before their 4:30 pm dinner reservations as the coveted demo still tuned into the Frys.com Open. And PGA Tour pros, if they were able to tear themselves away from Notre Dame-USC, will say they were going into prime time against a college football game featuring two teams with more groupees than One Direction.

Fair enough. Still, the next time a PGA Tour player gives you attitude, don't hesitate to point out that their Saturday prime time telecast of their season-opening event was out-rated by the Champions Tour!

From SportsTVRatings for October 17, 2015:

CHAMPIONS TOUR 2015 SAN ANTONIO CHP 1:58 PM 5:03 PM 147 0.0

PGA TOUR 2015 FRYS.COM OPEN 5:03 PM 8:30 PM 142 0.0

While the Notre Dame-USC game was running on NBC and siphoning viewers, it's still a pitiful performance from the Frys.com Open to not out-rate the valiant competitors of the over-50 set.

Especially considering Golf Channel's shockingly huge Saturday night ratings for the live Presidents Cup, which drew a big audience even in West Coast prime time and the middle of the night for those in the east.

Wrap your head around that, wraparound schedule fanboys!

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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