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

March 22, 2018

Rapid-Expanding PGA Tour Superstores Moving Into Vacated Retail, Claim Better Attendance Than Tournaments!

March 22, 2018/ Geoff Shackelford

Screen Shot 2018-03-22 at 11.52.14 AM.png

As the retail sector struggles and my distant relative Geoffrey The Giraffe is retired, the burgeoning PGA Tour Superstore chain is actually looking to expand, including into old Toys R Us locations.

Thanks to reader FS for Brent Schrotenboer's USA Today feature on the appeal of the stores and their amazing foot traffic owed in part to having an indoor range experience.

Since 2011, the chain has more than tripled in locations, from nine to 32 now. It plans to open around five more this year alone and hopes to increase to 50 locations by the end of 2020.

The chain’s CEO, Dick Sullivan, even told USA TODAY Sports that he’s been scouting several old Toys R Us and Babies R Us locations that are up for auction after Toys R Us filed for bankruptcy last year.

“There are hundreds of them out there that are available and the perfect size for us, usually around 37,000 square feet,” Sullivan said.

This number on foot traffic, attributable to the ability to rent a range stall, get fit or take lessons, is rather amazing given where retail is going.

The PGA Tour is a minority owner of the chain and has a 50-year license with it that expires in 2060. About 7.5 million customers visited the Superstore in the last year, Sullivan said, exceeding the attendance at Tour events.

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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