About The Quadrilateral
I’m Geoff Shackelford and I’ve been at this golf media thing over 28 years now. First books, then magazine and internet writing for all of the golf publications. Since 2003 I’ve been the purveyor of GeoffShackelford.com. In between I’ve done golf architecture work, podcasting, Golf Channel contributing, Twittering, writing, taking photos and now preparing to read my stuff on Chat GPT.
This is a nice way of saying I’ve pivoted to new forms of media since the late 90s. Usually reluctantly giving how fleeting format so clearly seem. (You must be on Vine ASAP, it’s where the kids are at!). I never expected to talk on television or host a podcast and if you’d asked me about newsletters I’d have said: I get too much email already. Now the ten I read daily are essential to starting my day.
The Quadrilateral gives me a chance to highlight a broad range of interesting and sometimes wonky-looks involving the Grand Slam tournaments because I know you, the subscriber, share my passion for tracking these four weeks and the year-round speculation surrounding them. In a LIV. vs. PGA Tour world, the majors will only get bigger and grow in importance to most fans.
The Quadrilateral has focused on these areas:
Stars and history. I’m from the Jenkins school of loving the timeless stories and the all-time greats. I cringe at rally-killers and game-story spoilers, but that’s life in the major championship world and part of their allure. The upcoming run of major venues means we have the chance to relive great moments from past events at the venues and translate what we might learned from those epic weeks of yesteryear.
Architecture and course setup. If you’ve seen my work dating to the mid-90s, you know I love golf architecture. Previewing venues is both educational for those intrigued by course design, but also important in determining who the course might favor. In 2023 I took readers in depth on L.A. North, which I had a hand in restoring as part of the Hanse Design effort to bring back George Thomas and Billy Bell’s masterful redesign.
The business of majors. Golf’s major publications have abandoned this side of coverage in pursuit of projecting faux cool. In my experience, editors looking for hits or fearful of conflicts loathe such story stories and fear they will upset the coveted millennial audience. Core golf fans are generally successful in business but web traffic goals kill all but those obviously-sponsored stories. Not at The Quadrilateral.
The business of majors, II. The way we watch majors will change dramatically in the next few years, whether the technology and audience are ready or not. A pay-per-view major will happen this decade. Monitoring.
Television. So much of a major’s impression, gravitas and respectability depends on its television presentation. Free of any conflicts, I can cover the amazing work (and sometimes odd decisions) by networks.
Travel. Whenever possible and if golf is going somewhere special, I bring coverage from outside the ropes. Check out items here on Rome and Los Angeles.
Merchandise. I will not be hawking it unless demanded, but I will cover the merch like I have through the years at various publications and at GeoffShackelford.com. It’s big business and a fun part of the majors.
More Questions
Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox. No clutter, no pop-ups asking for your approval to keep reading my scintillating prose, just information you need to know about the majors.
That said I know you have more questions…
Q: When does it arrive?
GS.: Whenever I feel news, analysis and insight warrants. But there will be at least one weekly edition delivered to your inbox, likely on Thursday’s via Substack’s clean, simple and annoyance-free format.
Q: Why Thursdays?
A: Most inboxes are bombarded on Mondays and Tuesdays. Thursdays typically start the week’s professional tournament, meaning players have been asked a few major questions in pre-tournament press conferences. News has inevitably been made related to the impregnable quadrilateral and Thursdays seem like a good time to wrap up what it all means. Thursday reading will also make you just a little more informed for that weekend’s 19th hole banter (when those return at a safe distance). But this could change given reader feedback!
Q: What do I get for $7 per month or $59 a year?
GS: Emails from Geoff Shackelford delivered to your inbox featuring exclusive reporting, breaking news analysis, reminders of a great tales from major’s past, upcoming venue analysis and much, much more. There will also be a few Q&A’s and podcasts throughout the year only for subscribers, as well as communal elements like a discussion group and meet-ups. Paid subscribers will also enjoy daily updates in the run-up to each of the big four. And the week of the major and for a day or two after? I guarantee you will hear from me first thing each morning with recaps and other insights.
Q: What does a founder get for $150?
GS: Knowing in your heart of hearts that you allow me to add avocado to my favorite burrito.
Q: What about the Quadrilateral community?
GS: The Substack discussions after posts have been sensational and I try to get in to answer most posts. While the message section is not as robust as some Substacks, I think you’ll find them pretty engaging and a lively community!
Q: Will I get email offers and other reminders to buy stuff?
GS: The Quadrilateral email list will NOT be sold and cannot be shared with companies looking to sell product. I will not be sending out merchandise offers or reminders. Subscribers might—might—get an occasional coupon code included in the newsletter from a fitting partner that wants to reach the amazing Quadrilateral audience and whose product I like.
Q: How do I pay?
GS: Substack makes it incredibly easy and safe to pay. I recommend doing it on a mobile device for safety and simplicity. Monthly subscribers get notified each time they are charged. I do recommend signing up via mobile phone as it just seems to work better.
Q: What happens after late July when The Open is played?
GS: As LIV’s arrival has shown, major news is year-round. Plus, 2024 will include the the Women’s Open at St Andrews and Curtis Cup from Sunningdale. So come on board!
