Geoff Shackelford is the author of ten books, with his writing also appearing in The Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine, Links, Golf Digest, Golf World, The Golfer, Golfweb, Golf Journal (R.I.P.), The Masters Journal, Golf Course Architecture, Golf Architecture, Golf Digest Index, the Journal of the Shivas Irons Society and golf.com. 

In 2004 and 2005, The Golfer named him one of "modern golf's ten most influential writers."

Geoff is currently a contributing editor to Golfdom Magazine, where he writes a monthly column as well as feature stories for the respected industry publication.

Geoff attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He was member of the golf team, graduating in 1994 with a B.A. in Communication.

Having studied golf courses all over the world with a noted interest in the "classic courses" of the 1920's, Geoff is engaged in design consulting at several classic courses and has taught golf course restoration at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design with noted architect Brian Silva.

Rustic Canyon No. 17 (Click to enlarge)He has also addressed many groups on the subject of golf course design, including the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the Alister MacKenzie Society and the Golf Digest Panelist Summit.

Beginning in 2000, Geoff co-designed Rustic Canyon Golf Course in Moorpark, California.

A collaboration with architect Gil Hanse of Malvern, Pennsylvania, construction of the course began in 2001, with the layout opening in April, 2002. Rustic Canyon was named by Golf Digest as the Best New Affordable Public Course in America for 2002. It was ranked 76th in Golfweek's Top 100 Modern Courses for 2006. Rustic Canyon is also ranked 83rd in Golf Magazine's Top 100 You Can Play (2006).
Geoff Shackelford tees of Rustic Canyon's 16th (click to enlarge)

Other design collaborations await: Querencia in Cabo San Lucas, Union Bay Golf Links on Vancouver Island, a short course for The Prairie Club in Valentine, Nebraska, Punta San Basilio in Loreto Mexico, and a restoration of George Thomas's Los Angeles Country Club's North Course design.

He can be reached at geoffshac@aol.com