From the Clubhouse: You can learn the secrets of golf course architecture!
Geoff Shackelford’s new book, Golf Architecture for Normal People, does what it says on the tin – dispelling the myths of the subject for the club player. He talks design on the From the Clubhouse podcast
How much do you know about how your golf course was put together? Do you sail round your club course just hitting shots with abandon, or do you find yourselves wondering why each hole plays the way it does.
There has been a surge of interest in golf course architecture among average players – whether that’s poring over ranking lists or discovering the secrets of design so we can understand our own layouts just a little bit better.
We’ve got a special guest this week as Geoff Shackelford, a renowned American golf writer and commentator, joins us to talk about his new book: Golf Architecture for Normal People.
Written to help golfers are all skill levels become better observers and get more fun out of their game, Geoff demystifies as well as poking fun at the genre, and gives readers tools to help them understand what they’re seeing and playing.
We talk fun, what makes a great hole, and we also get Geoff’s thoughts on the controversial distance debate in golf.
If you’ve always wondered how to appreciate your surroundings just a little better, tune in for the next hour as Geoff unlocks the door.
You can buy Golf Architecture for Normal People here.
From the Clubhouse is produced in association with TaylorMade Golf
Are you interested in golf course architecture? How did you discover the subject? Have you read Golf Architecture for Normal People? Let us know with a tweet.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
