Blackmail

Blackmail

Greetings Golfers,

The last few days I’ve been reading some fascinating blogs about golf course culture.

It seems that golf companies, GMs, golf staff, and golfers are becoming aware of how much culture matters.

My response to our culture has been comparing us to a party. The party might be at an attractive venue, with a good band, and good food and drink. But if the vibe is bad … I leave after 5 minutes.

I might be a little more hung-up on culture than most people … but I think most people take culture seriously … probably more than they realize.

Just read a blog on LinkedIn by a guy named Mark Sider. He starts his blog by quoting a guy named Charlie Munger - “Show me the incentive and I’ll show you the outcome.”

Ironically, I’d just heard a podcast where a guy was saying that once you start paying blackmail … that it never ends … it just gets ramped-up.

That made me think in terms of running a business. If you aren’t proud of what you’re selling … and you’re letting everyone tell you how to do it and how much to sell it for … you’re basically being blackmailed. It won’t end … and will only get worse.

With this blackmail idea already in my head … I then read Mark Sider’s blog … that golf has an incentive problem.

Hmmmmmmm.

He’s concerned that golf is being influenced by "influencers." He says that “Capturing attention is easier than making something great.”

Here are his next statements:

• Eventually, performance marketing starts eating culture.

• Attention is currency.

• But metrics don’t build enduring brands.

• Taste does.

• Restraint does.

• Leadership does.

• Golf has spent years saying, “Grow the game."

• But growth isn’t the only thing that matters.

• Golf has a culture worth preserving.

• Etiquette. Sportsmanship. Respect for the game and the people playing it.

• Golf wasn’t perfect.

• But it sure feels like there were fewer fights on golf courses back in the day.

• Harvey Penick had a better idea: “If you play golf, you’re my friend."

• I’m in the same attention economy.

• This post is part of it.

• I understand the incentive.

• I just don’t think we have to surrender to it.

• Grow the game.

• Just don’t lose the game in the process.

Wow!

He’s pretty passionate. I respect it. And make a lot of great points. Especially - “Just don’t lose the game in the process."

Blackmail is not a good process.

Cheers!

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com