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)
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
Hide The China: Prez Cup Teams Descend On The East Wing
/Video: Searching For Sammy The Squirrel
/Update: Sammy The Squirrel Released From Columbus Zoo
/This Week In Golf Channel Ratings: Presidents Cup Week
/"If the Ryder Cup played for 34 points instead of 28, it never would have grown to the mega-spectacle it has become."
/Freddie Would Captain A Ryder Cup, Junior Ryder Cup If Asked
/Finchem: “By every measure...strongest Presidents Cup we've had"
/Pro Golf Wraps In Columbus For 2013, Sun Expected All Week
/Must See Images: Streaker For Stricker!
/Check out Wei Under's post with J.J. Tanabe's sensational images of Steve Stricker's streaker, a fine young Woman-American (?) who disrupted the Stricker match with Ernie Els on Sunday of the Presidents Cup.
This is the kind of thing that could drive Tim Finchem to, well, not retire but have to use a new shade of hair dye.
Video: Phil's Unintentional Skip Shot At The Rainforest Cup
/Presidents Cup Closing Ceremony Cancelled Due To Rains; Kenny G Fan Laments What Might Have Been
/2013 Presidents Cup Final Day (Hopefully) Comment Thread
/The end is near, the skies have opened up and NBC is showing the foregone conclusion final day of the Presidents Cup live on tape.
You can see the match scores here, where they are about nine holes ahead of what's on the telecast.
Is This A Bad Time To Remind Everyone Muirfield Village Was Built On Sacred Indian Burial Grounds?
/Prez Cup Press Mood Shifts To Defcon 2 On Eve Of Marathon Day
/Nothing pleases the scribes more than tee times delayed until 10:10 am to appease a television audience of a few hundred thousands on a Friday in fall. Especially when all scribblers know that a 30% forecast in Dublin equals 100% in any other part of the country!
Throw in Captain's blowing off the press room, whip up a Saturday "marathon" 36-hole day which figures to go from 7 am to 7pm, and that should leave everyone in a stellar mood by the time Sunday's singles and 80% chance of rain (heavy at times) rolls around. That's assuming Saturday survives without storms in Dublin, home of rain.
In other words, soak up Friday's highlights because (A) there were a lot of them, and (B) this thing could be headed to Monday when the "document" says the team with the most points puts the Cup out of its misery by sundown.