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

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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

July 26, 2015

The Biggest Victim Of The 2016 Schedule Mess?

July 26, 2015/ Geoff Shackelford

Reading and considering the information presented in Jim McCabe's exclusive on how the 2016 schedule mess will shake out a year from now when the Olympics are added to the calendar, it looks like the world's best will have to skip a key event.

While McCabe notes the politics involved for the John Deere Classic and Travelers Championship--two events with strong sponsors and long term agreements--it sure looks to me like the WGC Bridgestone is ripe for a mass defection from elite players and those with heavily stamped passports.

The 2016 breakdown from McCabe at Golfweek.com:

Thus will the summer of 2016 flow this way with the PGA Tour schedule:
   •   June 2-5: The Memorial
   •   June 9-12: FedEx St. Jude Classic
   •   June 16-19: U.S. Open (Oakmont)
   •   June 23-26: Quicken Loans National
   •   June 30-July 3: WGC Bridgestone Invitational
   •   July 7-10: Greenbrier Classic
   •   July 14-17: British Open (Royal Troon)
   •   July 21-24: RBC Canadian Open
   •   July 28-31: PGA Championship (Baltusrol)
   •   Aug. 4-7: Travelers Championship
   •   Aug. 11-14: Olympic Golf
   •   Aug. 11-14: John Deere Classic
   •   Aug. 18-21: Wyndham Championship

McCabe argues that the Travelers and Deere, who have settled well into their potentially cumbersome dates, would suffer in this scenario. But I think it's harder to imagine anyone in the world of golf wanting to go to Akron ten days after the U.S. Open and 11 days before The Open, even though the event's primary perk is easy cash and easier world ranking points.

This issue will be avoided in 2020 (to an extent) when the PGA Championship is not played in its traditional date. Though all of this would be moot if the playoffs weren't in a hurry to be played before football season.

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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