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

February 10, 2020

Rory McIlroy Reveals Shocking (For A Golf Pro) Propensity To Read And Enjoy Books

February 10, 2020/ Geoff Shackelford

I have no idea what they are doing right at the Independent, but nice to see them essentially posting transcripts of Paul Kimmage’s chats with Rory McIlroy.

This from Part 2 on reading may cause some of his PGA Tour peers leery reading to wonder what the lad is doing. And nice work Kyle Porter…

PK: You're also reading a lot. At the Masters, you had just started a Steve Jobs biography and a book called Digital Minimalism?

RM: Yeah, Cal Newport. He's got Digital Minimalism and another one called Deep Work, about the capability of the human brain, but Digital Minimalism was massive. Kyle Porter from CBS had mentioned it in an article he wrote about Augusta and how it was great that people weren't staring at screens (the no phones policy at the Masters) but were talking and experiencing things.

Digital maximalism is also known as Living Under Par. Just saying…

PK: So you went looking for the book?

Like, in a bookstore? Dangerous!

RM: Yeah, and it made me more . . . aware, I guess. 'Why am I taking my phone out? Is it to learn something? Look at a message? Send an email?' Because when it becomes this (flicks a finger across the palm of his hand) . . .

PK: Sure.

RM: So I get these recommendations from people - Donal (Casey, the CEO of his management team) is a voracious reader - and I'll check them out. There have definitely been books that have resonated with me and authors I've really liked that have helped on, and off, the golf course and yeah, you could call it self-help. There's been a lot of self-help in there.

PK: Let's talk about a few more: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.
RM: Essentialism was one of the first I read.

PK: What's the nub of that?

RM: Saying no.

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

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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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