When one comes to the quality of the bunkers and other hazards we pass into realm of much dispute and argument. Primarily bunkers should be sand bunkers purely, not composed of gravel, stones or dirt. Whether this or that bunker is well placed, has caused more intensely heated arguments outside of the realms of religion, than has ever been my lot to listen to. C.B. MACDONALD
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
Monty's Locker Room Tales
/Monty's Bedroom Secret Revealed!
/The Ryder Cup Captain explains a key move he made to take Celtic Manor's 5-foot (!?) long beds with 6-footers. Take that, you tall Americans!
'I looked at the rooms and thought they weren't big enough, so we all got connecting rooms. Then on the Saturday morning we got a removal company in and they brought six-foot beds and took the five-foot beds out.
'We were on the ninth floor and the Americans were on the eighth floor, but they didn't know about it.'
Corey Pavin and his side arrived two days later.
'We also had six physio beds put up on that floor and there were tailors up there as well to make sure all the outfits fitted. It was all laid on.
'You have one hit at this and I wanted to get it right.'
Stunner: Casey Stunned That Monty Has Been Monty!
/Captain And The Captainess Not Happy With Sun Mountain!
/"I thought I was going to be fine, but I got the first question thrown at me and I was trying to think."
/"A prospective captain couldn't have put it better."
/Dermot Gilleece catches up with Paul McGinley, likely 2014 Ryder Cup Captain and 2010 assistant Captain who shares some behind-the-scenes moments from last week's Cup. There's the inevitable stuff that Captain Monty could have been one of Churchill's generals if he'd just been born a few decades earlier.
But this was fun: