Thoughts From Up North
Thoughts From Up North
Greetings Golfers,
I’m back. Up North was great. So I’ve got lots to talk about … hold on!
Just read an article that said we’ve become too Left Brain - too number-oriented, too money-driven, and too spreadsheet-driven. That we need more Right Brain for more personal connection, creativity, and building for the future - not for the quick buck.
I agree … we’re out of balance.
Don’t get me wrong - I respect Left Brain thinking. But we need to be in balance.
Up North I felt my Right Brain waking up. A slower pace lets that side open up.
And the perfect place for waking up the Right Brain is the Gravel Pit Golf Course. It’s beyond cool. You drive up a dirt road to the parking lot … and jump onto a cart and drive up to the Clubhouse.
This is the least pretentious place on the planet. It has no need for pretense … it’s just very cool.
A 13 hole, Par 3 course. Built on a former gravel pit.
This is a shot-makers golf course. A Right Brain golf course. This is not for robots.
What I see as the best combination of Right Brain and Left Brain in golf … is that Feel is Right Brain and that Logic is Left Brain.
I don’t like the robotic golf swing … the lack of shotmaking … and the reliance on the swing for the yardage.
Here’s an example: As I was leaving the Gravel Pit … I ran into RJ Smiley. He had just won his semi-final match at the Pine to Palm. The next day … RJ won the championship for another major win. RJ has major victories in 8 decades. Think about that!
When RJ was playing a high school match in his home state of Kansas … he was playing against a future famous instructor. While playing a 130 yard Par 3 … with wind coming from the left … Mr. Wizard hits a high pitching wedge that gets blown into the water. RJ … hit’s a low cut 8 iron to 2 feet. Mr. Wizard tells RJ that RJ hit the wrong club.
Think about it.
That’s so typical … and so stupid.
Golf is a game. Not just a driving range session. You need to play the game.
One year when we hosted a serious tournament … I was with the cart boys at the Range making sure everything was ok. During that Range session … 2 guys stood out … one guy had a beautiful swing and went through a nice process before every shot. The other guy was hyper and jumping around … hit some ugly shots … and his process seemed crazy.
But … after the tournament … Mr. Wonderful shot 83 … and Mr. Madman shot 67.
Golf is a game to be played.
Life is to be lived … much like golf. You need Feel and Logic. Not being a robot.
Just ask RJ Smiley.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com