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

August 17, 2020

R.I.P. Live Under Par?

August 17, 2020/ Geoff Shackelford

Screen Shot 2020-07-26 at 9.47.46 PM.png

The signs were there all along.

First, the pandemic came along and eliminated the notion that anyone wants to live under par (actually, pre-pandemic no one wanted that life).

Then the lame slogan rolled out in April 2018 got pushed aside by the USGA’s even less authentic but equally as expensive “From Many, One”. That word salad never came to fruition due to this year’s elimination of U.S. Open qualifying.

Last week Si Woo Kim was spotted at the Wyndham sporting Live Under Par on his shirt and we were briefly taken back to happier times when bros in pink shirts were encouraged to Snap all of their drunken on-site experiences.

Screen Shot 2020-08-17 at 9.35.39 PM.png

No Laying Up noticed:

The Tour is either distancing itself from #LIveUnderPar or it has abandoned it. It's scrubbed from the twitter account and no longer on every tweet.

Yet it's on Si Woo Kim's shirt and I really need to understand why.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) August 16, 2020

Now if you go to LiveUnderPar.com—a beloved bookmark of so few—you’ll be redirected to PGATour.com.

Thankfully, a cached version exists if you want to “join the conversation”.

I’m struggling to see how Live Under Par can resurface anytime soon. So grab yourself some Club Pro Guy Live Under Net Par gear and say a prayer for all the LUP merch that’s off to the landfill.

Meanwhile, sources confirm to GeoffShackelford.com that 20-year-slogan “These Guys Are Good” retired to St Augustine last year once the shock wore off. The same sources say TGAG looks to be slim, tanned and ready to resurface to appear on ad breaks during tournaments we’re already watching.

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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