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 19, 2021

Genesis Set To Get Tougher, Windier: "It's one of those rare weeks"

February 19, 2021/ Geoff Shackelford

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From Riviera my Quadrilateral dispatch available to all for free since this isn’t a major, it’s a Friday night and I want to make sure you don’t miss what figures to be fun weekend of PGA Tour golf.

A few notes following round two of the Genesis:

36-hole cut: 67 professionals at even-par 142 from a field of 117 professionals and three amateurs

Second-Round Leaderboard

Sam Burns 64-66—130 (-12)

Tyler McCumber 67-68—135 (-7)

Jason Kokrak 67-68—135 (-7)

Dustin Johnson 68-67—135 (-7)

Joaquin Niemann 67-68—135 (-7)

Sam Burns holds the largest 36-hole lead in tournament history (five strokes) and ties the 36-hole tournament scoring record (130)
Five-stroke margin through 36 holes marks largest on TOUR since 2019 PGA Championship (7/Brooks Koepka)
Burns holds the third 36-hole lead/co-lead of his PGA TOUR career, finishing T7 on both prior occasions
Tyler McCumber sits T2 after having surgery on his left index finger Tuesday
Dustin Johnson posts his 18th round of 67 or better at Riviera since 2008, most of any player in that span
Chile’s Joaquin Niemann seeks to become second consecutive international winner of The Genesis Invitational and sixth international winner this season
Rory McIlroy misses a cut on TOUR for the first time since 2019 The Open Championship, snapping the TOUR’s longest active made-cut streak (25)
Notables to miss the cut include McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson and Bryson DeChambeau

Second-Round Lead Notes

4 Second-round leaders/co-leaders to win The Genesis Invitational since 2000

(Mike Weir/2004, Rory Sabbatini/2006, Phil Mickelson/2008, Dustin Johnson/2017)

5 Second-round leaders/co-leaders to win in 2020-21

(Most recent: Harris English/Sentry Tournament of Champions)

130 Low 36-hole score at The Genesis Invitational
(Sam Burns/2021, Shigeki Maruyama/2004, Mike Weir/2004, Davis Love III/1992)

American broadcast windows:

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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. 🥵

Better than most sunset

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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