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
Fan To James Hahn Before NoTrust Open Playoff: "It's Dustin Johnson, Paul Casey and some other guy."
/James Hahn Salvages The 2015 NoTrust-A-Lead Open
/Can Retief Goosen Survive One More Day Of Riviera's Major Test?
/Video: Sergio Garcia's "Top 3" Recovery Shot
/Video: Ryan Moore Almost Aces Riviera's 10th
/Time For Our First Thomas-Spieth Mega-Millennial Match-Up?
/When Does A Masterful Short Par-4 Become A Silly One?
/I always have thought the short par-4 10th's character was so strong that it could survive the Fazio-inspired over-meddling that has quietly taken so much of the nuance out of Riviera in recent years.
But in recent years the effort to make the famed hole more difficult, combined with dry weather and the outstanding maintenance work by Matt Morton's team, the 10th spilled over the edge this year.
The 311-yard hole averaged 4.201 during round one play of the Northern Trust Open. For a hole of that length to average so much over par in perfect weather? Red flag.
A damp, cloudy morning followed by very little afternoon breeze should have let some of the world's best score. But too often good shots or almost great shots were excessively penalized by the combination of factors both manufactured and accidental. With a drought and ideal turf-growing weather coming into Northern Trust Open week, the course has never looked better and the greens very firm for February. That's a testament to the shrewd practices. However, this little bit of added firmness when combined with the lowering of evolved bunker edges and the practice of rolling the surrounds has tipped the scales. The 10th hole's risk-reward dynamic has shifted to mostly risk and little reward for taking chances. On a strategy-driven hole that is the centerpiece of the tournament, this has not been a positive evolution.
Bubba Watson talked about the shifting dynamics of the 10th following his round.
Q. Talk about your strategy on 10, seems like it's playing one of the hardest holes out here.
BUBBA WATSON: Yeah, the green, the nicest way to say it, it's very difficult. The green is very difficult, and I don't know how to play it.
So today, we hit 4‑wood, and I just tried to hit it over that bunker towards those trees so I could have an uphill chip to the hole. Somehow made the putt today but I was just trying to play to the center of the green, get par and get out of there.
As we can see, throughout the years, that hole is very, very difficult and par is a great score there.
Q. How long have you played here, ballpark?
BUBBA WATSON: That's a great question. I've never missed, I don't think.
Q. Have you noticed that green getting ‑‑
BUBBA WATSON: Nine years.
Q. Have you noticed it getting a little more severe, edges and firmness, things like that?
BUBBA WATSON: It seems that way, but that's ‑‑
Q. Everyone's got to play it ‑‑
BUBBA WATSON: I'm not saying that. No, no, it looks that way to me but I mean, it might just be because I'm so scared to death of the hole. It just looks worse and worse ‑‑ as I get older, it looks worse. It's very difficult.
We've heard rumours that because of all the bunker shots, the sand makes it build up, but who knows. Yeah, definitely, it's a very difficult hole.
Q. Do you look forward to playing it?
BUBBA WATSON: No.
Q. Can you think of another hole on TOUR that you least look forward to playing?
BUBBA WATSON: A bunch of them but that's the worst for sure.
Q. In a good kind of way?
BUBBA WATSON: No, I don't think it's a good kind of way. It's just I'm scared to death of that hole. We thought about laying up today but then I was like, well, that 80‑yard wedge shot is going to be just as tough as somehow getting lucky off the tee. And today I got lucky off the tee where all I had to do was go over the tree straight up the green.
Geoff Ogilvy was more diplomatic, but did acknowledge that the vibe has changed in his years playing the hole.
Q. Talk about the 10th. Is it getting a little edgy with the shaved areas?
GEOFF OGILVY: It's a lot tougher than it used to be. It's hard to criticize such a good hole. It's a lot harder than it used to be, especially when the pins are at the back like today. I don't think you can go to the middle section of the green anymore because there's a lot of pitch on the green and how fast it is. It's one of the top four or five holes we play all year on Tour. It's a joy to play even when you're putting a five on the card.
Q. Balls that go off the green ‑‑ you didn't hit a bad shot?
GEOFF OGILVY: I have to think when they try to get more out of a great hole, that's all they are really trying to do. It's everyone's favorite hole, really and they are just trying to get more out of it. It's pretty good. The greens are a lot firmer than we are used to playing. They were just a bit softer a few years ago. Now it takes that big first bounce and goes in that bunker really easy.
It's a really, really good hole and definitely getting harder.
There is still a real delight in watching some of the great shots played here and the dynamic recoveries. Even the players walking off the green will tell you this, or as level-headed types like Paul Casey did after he'd cooled off post round. Still
But the 10th hole vibe is also changing to one where the spectacle is a tad unseemly, like pulling over to savor a car accident (see embed from round one below). And while that slightly sadistic aura popular with many golfers, the negativity takes some of the genius out of George Thomas's creation and is utterly unnecessary in testing the world's best.
**The PGA Tour tweeted a much prettier version of the stats and scatter chart:
Here's how players tackled Riviera's 10th in Round 1.
(Red: Birdie; Blue: Par; Black: Bogey or worse) pic.twitter.com/3ByI02sPkM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 20, 2015
The 2015 NoTrust Open Is Ready And Set For Riviera!
/With the demise of the WGC Match Play as a February event, the 2015 Northern Trust Open field at Riviera took a noticeable star power hit.
In 2014, with the match play the week after the Northern Trust Open, the field included 16 of the world's top 30 and 26 of the top 50.
This year, it's 11 of the world top 30 are in the field and 18 of the top 50.
SB Nation has a nice round up of viewing times and tournament notes.
I discussed Riviera's history with Matt Ginella on Wednesday's Morning Drive.
Earlier in the week we talked Riviera's design.
As always, the 10th hole is receiving much attention and now gets long overdue "Live@" coverage starting at 7 am PT and going all day.
Here's the link. DirecTV subscribers can also watch the coverage all four days on their televisions (the PGA Tour and DirecTV just re-upped for give years).