More Playable is Better
Greetings Golfers,
The other day while in a local Pro Shop … the staff was talking about the courses on Hilton Head with a local player. Everyone was playing the game of “who’s played at the coolest place”.
I was just a fly on the wall taking it all in.
Hilton Head has a lot of courses. And a lot of really difficult courses. Is difficult “cool”? Is “cool” difficult?
A few years ago, I wrote in this blog about after playing the Ocean Course at Kiawah, I asked our caddy what the average score was for the guys he looped for. His answer – 125. Seriously. And that was the average score.
So … if this is skiing … is it “cool” to ski down brutal Black Diamond runs if you’re not a great skier? Is breaking your neck fun?
Is shooting 125 fun? What about the higher half? Shooting 150?
We have to talk about this … no one does.
After every golf article in MPLS/ST.PAUL Business Journal … they list the most difficult courses in Minnesota. Why?
What does that mean? Is that desirable? “Cool”?
I just watched an interesting video about an Indian Yogi talking about the importance of sport. And that he loves to play golf.
I agree. He gets it. We all need physical activity. And we need sport. Not just working out or going for a walk … but the test of sport. As this Yogi says … “You come face-to-face with yourself”. That’s a good thing.
However, is playing a golf course that is way too difficult for you a good thing? Is it even a sport if you can’t play it?
Having a USGA Handicap doesn’t help. You’re not really playing the game.
Too many golf courses are way too hard.
It’s hilarious when I hear average golfers say that a course is too easy. I ask them if it’s no fun shooting 65. Of course they didn’t shoot 65 … not even 75 … what are they talking about?
Do they need a course that demands not only controlled power … but the ability to shape shots onto greens to get in the proper location for the putt? Are you kidding me?
Most low-handicappers don’t have that type of skill.
Every Monday I play with a bunch of old Pros from New England. It’s a goofy course … in terrible condition … but most of the guys live on it. The layout is ridiculous. The tee shot on the first hole needs to be a snap-hook around the corner. Has to be. And has to be perfect. Anything else is OB. Every fairway is skinny … with woods and water on both sides.
This is not a sexy golf course. Used to be 36 holes. Now it’s only 18. Terrible condition. We have two other public courses in town. Both in neighborhoods. One hasn’t been open in years. The other one is in brutal condition (I heard it was beautiful 30 years ago).
What I’m trying to say is that golf courses should be playable. If someone shoots a good score … that’s a good thing!
Some country club members pride themselves that guests shoot a million. That’s hospitality!
Playable also means in good condition … and reasonable speed on the greens and height of the rough.
I feel like this is an “Emperor is wearing no clothes” situation. We have to talk about this. It’s madness.
If we really want to share this game we love … and one that I think people need … golf courses have to be playable.
That doesn’t mean that anyone should just hop on any golf course. People should be decently able to play golf before playing on a regulation 18 hole course. It’s not fair to them or the people behind them if they can’t play. You don’t put someone learning to drive a car on the freeway.
But it’s a two-way street … we need playable golf courses. Else, they wind-up folding like the ones down here. And, people will quit playing golf.
More difficult isn’t better. More playable is better.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
More Playable is Better
Greetings Golfers,
The other day while in a local Pro Shop … the staff was talking about the courses on Hilton Head with a local player. Everyone was playing the game of “who’s played at the coolest place”.
I was just a fly on the wall taking it all in.
Hilton Head has a lot of courses. And a lot of really difficult courses. Is difficult “cool”? Is “cool” difficult?
A few years ago, I wrote in this blog about after playing the Ocean Course at Kiawah, I asked our caddy what the average score was for the guys he looped for. His answer - 125. Seriously. And that was the average score.
So … if this is skiing … is it “cool” to ski down brutal Black Diamond runs if you’re not a great skier? Is breaking your neck fun?
Is shooting 125 fun? What about the higher half? Shooting 150?
We have to talk about this … no one does.
After every golf article in MPLS/ST.PAUL Business Journal … they list the most difficult courses in Minnesota. Why?
What does that mean? Is that desirable? “Cool”?
I just watched an interesting video about an Indian Yogi talking about the importance of sport. And that he loves to play golf.
I agree. He gets it. We all need physical activity. And we need sport. Not just working out or going for a walk … but the test of sport. As this Yogi says … “You come face-to-face with yourself”. That’s a good thing.
However, is playing a golf course that is way too difficult for you a good thing? Is it even a sport if you can’t play it?
Having a USGA Handicap doesn’t help. You’re not really playing the game.
Too many golf courses are way too hard.
It’s hilarious when I hear average golfers say that a course is too easy. I ask them if it’s no fun shooting 65. Of course they didn’t shoot 65 … not even 75 … what are they talking about?
Do they need a course that demands not only controlled power … but the ability to shape shots onto greens to get in the proper location for the putt? Are you kidding me?
Most low-handicappers don’t have that type of skill.
Every Monday I play with a bunch of old Pros from New England. It’s a goofy course … in terrible condition … but most of the guys live on it. The layout is ridiculous. The tee shot on the first hole needs to be a snap-hook around the corner. Has to be. And has to be perfect. Anything else is OB. Every fairway is skinny … with woods and water on both sides.
This is not a sexy golf course. Used to be 36 holes. Now it’s only 18. Terrible condition. We have two other public courses in town. Both in neighborhoods. One hasn’t been open in years. The other one is in brutal condition (I heard it was beautiful 30 years ago).
What I’m trying to say is that golf courses should be playable. If someone shoots a good score … that’s a good thing!
Some country club members pride themselves that guests shoot a million. That’s hospitality!
Playable also means in good condition … and reasonable speed on the greens and height of the rough.
I feel like this is an “Emperor is wearing no clothes” situation. We have to talk about this. It’s madness.
If we really want to share this game we love … and one that I think people need … golf courses have to be playable.
That doesn’t mean that anyone should just hop on any golf course. People should be decently able to play golf before playing on a regulation 18 hole course. It’s not fair to them or the people behind them if they can’t play. You don’t put someone learning to drive a car on the freeway.
But it’s a two-way street … we need playable golf courses. Else, they wind-up folding like the ones down here. And, people will quit playing golf.
More difficult isn’t better. More playable is better.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Swing
Greetings Golfers,
Yeah, I know it’s cold in MN … and that I’m obnoxious talking about playing golf down here in South Carolina.
Well, it’s not hot here … 50s and sometimes 60s … but good enough to tee-it-up.
So the other day, I got a good feeling standing over a tee shot … and went with the feeling … and actually hit a decently long drive. Like most old people, my tee shots have gotten significantly shorter over the years.
What happened on this “good” one? Well, I felt like John Daly. Felt like I was making a ridiculously long back swing.
Was it really long like Daly? Hardly … wasn’t even back to parallel. But it felt really long. And … it felt really good.
Ok … let’s talk about this. Right now the best player in the world is Jon Rahm. He’s crazy good. And hits it crazy far with a really short back swing. He’s also really young and really strong. I’m neither of those … I need a long backswing.
Of course if it’s too long … it’s hard to control. That’s not my problem. My problem is distance.
So … how to solve this problem? Yeah … getting stronger would help (a new body would really help!). But that’s not happening. I need to lengthen my swing (and so do a lot of you - even some young people).
But what we all really need … is a better golf swing. Swing. Not hit. Not some big body move. I’m talking golf SWING.
I pulled my Orange Whip trainer out of the garage and started swinging it back & forth. And tried to make the swing as long as I could. Full backswing and full follow-through. Back & forth without stopping. Nice and long and smooth and rhythmical.
It’s not hard on the body … if you don’t go crazy.
Now I’m inspired. In fact, I dug out my old copy of Ernest Jones classic book “Swing the Clubhead”. If you don’t know about it … check it out … buy a copy … read about Jones on the internet, etc.
Ernest Jones was a young Golf Pro before he went to serve in WWI. Unfortunately, during the war, a grenade blew off his right leg. He thought his days as a Pro were done. Hardly. Shortly thereafter, he shot 72 on a long, difficult course. On one leg.
Thus, his new understanding of the golf swing.
As he said “The trouble with the teaching of golf, is that one is taught what a swing produces (body movement), instead of how to produce a swing (club movement).”
Jones gave most of his lessons indoors. Said it was better because people could then focus on the swing and not their shots.
So, even if you’re in cold Minnesota … this is a great time to work on your golf SWING.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Control-freaks Aren’t As Much Fun As You Think They Are
Greetings Golfers,
Just finished playing as a single with another single and a 2some.
Nice people … but not a lot of fun. The other single thought it was his duty to teach the 2some how to play golf. This was not a playing lesson. In fact, this single had never met the 2some before we got paired-up.
This “instructor” took it upon himself to give advice. These people never asked for help or advice.
If the “instructor” saw an alligator hiding in the weeds near their ball … he should step-up and speak. But that is a warning about real danger … not advice about how to swing the golf club.
These are two very different cats that seem to get confused.
One is motivated by respect and concern. The other is motivated by disrespect and arrogance.
You might say that I’m being harsh. Really? Would you have wanted to be in that 2some?
I have certain buddies that before we play, I ask them to let me know if they see something goofy in my swing. I’m asking. I’m open to help and advice … but not unsolicited help and advice. Big difference.
This “helpful” mindset has gone way too far. We have a new refrigerator that sends off alarms if I keep it open too long. Seriously. The door wasn’t left open for an hour … it went crazy after a minute.
Not only is this alarm annoying and insulting … I had to pay for it. And you know that it will break and probably screw-up the rest of the refrigerator.
Shouldn’t we be trying to make life simpler and saner? Well, I know that I do. Some people might enjoy their life getting cluttered-up with worthless gadgets and bossy know-it-alls telling them what to do … but I wish they would leave me alone.
What’s really crazy is that when you stand-up to this nonsense and these control-freaks … they act like you’re ungrateful … and that you’re the arrogant one!
Talk about crazy and manipulative! I guess that's what they call “gaslighting”.
Obviously, I’m not a psychologist. But I do recognize bullying and gaslighting - these are the actions of control-freaks.
Some control-freaks think “empowerment” means telling people what to do. Wrong. Empowerment is standing-up to control-freaks.
I’m glad my refrigerator can’t play golf. But I don’t want to golf with the joker who invented that crazy alarm system.
We all know that people reveal themselves on the golf course. It’s fun to play with respectful people. And not fun to play with control-freaks.
And, we don’t need to put up with it on the golf course. Or anywhere.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Happy New Year
Greetings Golfers,
Happy New Year!
Every year, most of us look forward to a new year - a new beginning (especially this year!).
And New Year resolutions have become as normal to the New Year as Christmas presents are to Christmas.
Probably the most typical resolutions are about health: losing weight, getting in shape, etc.
Being golfers, we need to do those things … and improve our golf game. We can always improve our chipping and putting. And, improve our golf swing. But just improving our golf swing won’t make-up for not improving our health and short-game.
We need to do it all.
That wasn’t meant to sound over-whelming … it’s just the truth. We can do it … but, I recommend baby steps … not leaps. Everyday, eat better (and less) … do some exercises … go for a walk. You’re not Rocky preparing to fight Apollo Creed … you’re just trying to improve.
We all want to hear what we want to hear. So … we’re vulnerable to quick fixes, magic pills, short cuts, etc. But hearing what you want to hear isn’t always good.
Well, I have no agenda. I’m not running for office or selling a video of how to be a scratch player in one week. I’m just recommending being the tortoise instead of the hare.
It will be a good year … step-by-step.
Happy New Year!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
What is Unseen
Greetings Golfers,
One of my all time favorite books is “That Which Is Seen, and That Which Is Not Seen” by Frederic Bastiat. Though Bastiat wrote his treatise on economics, the premise applies to understanding anything.
As we grow up, hopefully, we learn from experience. But, too often, we only learn the immediate result - we don’t see the other results of our actions. Usually, our actions have unintended consequences. Thus, we need to develop foresight to become aware of the consequences of our actions.
Usually, the quick fix doesn’t solve the problem because it doesn’t get to the root of the problem. Obviously if you’re bleeding, you need a band-aid - but, band-aids are usually only temporary fixes.
You get the point ... you don’t need me to belabor how short-sightedness hurts our health, our relationships, our businesses, our economy, etc.
What blows my mind is that Bastiat wrote this book in 1840, and it seems that we still haven’t learned this basic lesson. Maybe it’s because our lives are so short that society doesn’t learn mature lessons.
Ironically, as we become more modern and “advanced”, we want immediate gratification. A fast-paced consumer society can easily become shallow and short-sighted. But a communistic society is based on “materialism” - I mean the Marxist definition of materialism - that life is only what you see (matter) and not spiritual.
I believe that the lack of spirituality is at the root of the problem. If humans do not believe that life is more than it seems ... their view of life has to be pretty superficial. The depth of life is what gives it meaning, what makes it make sense - it is “that which is unseen”.
The beauty of the Christmas season is wonderful - enjoy it. But, especially treasure the beauty that underlies the visible world ... that’s what this Holiday Season is really about.
Merry Christmas.
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Only the Good Die Young
Greetings Golfers,
“Whom the gods love, dies young” is an old - even ancient - saying. It wasn’t invented by Billy Joel.
And if you’re watching the show “Succession”, you would say it applies to the patriarch of the Roy family. He’s not good, and he’s not young. The show seems to be based on the Murdoch family. If so, I’m sure Rupert Murdoch isn’t enjoying it. But I am.
Succession can be a problem for any organization - not just a family business. Had lunch this week with some local Golf Pros and we talked about some friends who were retiring. Some had retired on their own … and some had been “nudged” out the door.
Obviously it’s the same in many organizations - most aren’t so visible. And just like football coaches, you can win the Super Bowl and people still don’t think you know what you’re doing.
Well, a guy who knew what he was doing died last week - Dave Alsaker.
Dave was a beloved man who did so much for the Minnetonka athletic community. He’d had cancer for the last year and a half … and dealt with it gracefully and courageously.
The ancient saying aptly applied to him. Dave was good, and died young.
R.I.P.
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Amazing Tiger Woods
Greetings Golfers,
So, Tiger Woods is going to compete next week in the PNC Challenge with his son Charlie.
How crazy/amazing is that?
When he crashed his car in February … I didn’t think he’d play golf again. Much less in an event. And on television?
The guy is unbelievable. I thought he was done after his previous car accident. Hardly. He came back … struggled with everything - especially his chipping … and had more back surgeries.
And then won the Masters.
Before the car accident in February, his last tournament was this same PNC Challenge. It was really fun watching his 11 year old son Charlie. The kid was amazing … can’t wait to see him one year later.
I’m sure that you saw the video of Tiger’s swing a few weeks ago. Obviously, it wasn’t as powerful. But it was definitely his swing … and he had great rhythm.
Rhythm isn’t emphasized enough. We all get too mechanical and forget about rhythm. That’s not a good thing.
A few months ago, I played with a very good player who was redoing his swing. He was really struggling hitting goofy shots that I’d never seen from him. After awhile, he asked me if I’d noticed anything. I said that his rhythm was different. He was fast going back … then seemed to quit at contact. His swing used to be slow going back, then accelerate through the ball. Instead, he was so concerned about making a different backswing, that his tempo was all screwed-up.
Well, Tiger hasn’t lost his rhythm … which is incredible for a lot of reasons. Especially when rebuilding his swing.
Obviously you know that I’m trying to get you to work on your rhythm. I’m not very subtle.
Also, I want to you to hit balls into a bucket this winter. Take a sand wedge and just hit little shots into a bucket or basket. And try it with each hand.
I do it up in my office and I got pretty good with the righthand shot. But I was terrible with the left-hand shot. Then … duh … I tried it with a glove on my left-hand. Hurrah! I wasn’t terrible. Not great … but pretty good. The grip on my club was worn-out … so the glove really helped.
So this winter … work on your rhythm/tempo … and chipping into a bucket/basket.
And … get your clubs re-gripped!
Maybe do it yourself next weekend while watching Tiger tee-it-up in PNC Championship.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Match
Greetings Golfers,
Did you watch “The Match” the day after Thanksgiving? You know, that epic blood-feud between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. Yeah … the hype was ridiculous, but the show was interesting … mildly entertaining … yet interesting.
I watched the whole thing because I love golf and like watching great players. But I especially stayed because you got to watch every hole from start to finish. What a concept! Typical tv golf tournament productions are annoying because they jump around from hole-to-hole and are just mostly random highlights (at best).
Imagine if you turned on to watch a Twins game and it jumped to a guy hitting a home-run in a Dodger game … then someone hitting a liner into a gap during a Red Sox game … then scenes of the final out in other games.
Sure, the NFL “Red-Zone” show is sort of like that … but that’s basically a show for gamblers and Fantasy Leaguers wanting updates. But it’s not watching football.
Speaking of other sports … Charles Barclay is fun and clever during NBA halftimes. And he was good at bringing some humor and charm to “The Match”. Phil Mickelson brought his usual insight and banter to the broadcast. But at times it was weird and uncomfortable. Not as weird and uncomfortable as DeChambeau trying to be witty and clever … but still not good.
Phil and DeChambeau’s talk about brain waves was embarrassing. Pseudo-intellectual and condescending. Brooks and Barclay rightfully made fun of it.
Phil was correct that Koepka feeds off anger. When Phil said that he predicted that Brooks would win the early holes but lose the match … you could see on Brook’s face that he was hurt and insulted. Well, that wasn’t what DeChambeau needed … Brooks fed on it and dominated the match.
Not only did DeChambeau play mediocre golf … he came off as a whiner and a phony. He should have stayed home.
However, I hope “The Match” continues. Golf needs rivalries … but it especially needs telecasts that stay committed to hole-by-hole, shot-by-shot action.
No matter how ridiculous the hype, or silly and unnatural the banter … a lot of us love golf and want to see the game being played. It’s a game of strategy. Don’t underestimate the audience.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Thankful for the Challenge
Greetings Golfers,
A belated “Happy Thanksgiving”!
I hope it was happy … and I hope you were thankful. Thankful and happy seem to go hand-in-hand.
Are we thankful only when things are going our way? Too often that’s the case. But, we especially need to be thankful when times are hard.
Here’s what I mean: Years ago when our sons were kids, they asked me why the world wasn’t perfect … Why was there sickness, pain, death, etc?
My answer was a golf analogy (of course). I said “What if when you played golf, every shot was a hole-in-one? Would it be any fun? The only reason golf is worth playing is that it's hard. The challenge is to rise above the difficulties.”
Obviously, the analogy applies to life.
But does it have to be so hard/brutal? … well, the consequences have to be real. Consequences? What about random unfair stuff? You mean like bad bounces or terrible lies in golf? Part of the game.
Now, I don’t mean that because life can be brutal and not fair that we have a license to be brutal and unfair. Just the opposite. That’s why being a good person who tries to be fair and do the right thing matters. Really matters.
The challenge is to rise above the difficulties.
We can do what really matters.
That’s what we should be thankful for.
Thankfully,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Work, Golf, and Ranches
Greetings Golfers,
“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”
Wise words from Carlos Castaneda. Yeah - that guy. Those of us from the 60s-70s era of mind-expansion and a search for meaning will recognize his name.
Even Castaneda - someone who would be considered on the opposite side of traditional America - knew that the secret to mental health is work. We need to work for what we want.
A new set of golf clubs will not make-up for a lack of work. They can help. But they don’t hit the ball for you … you control the golf club.
I believe Seve Ballesteros learned to play golf with a 3-iron … and on a beach. Chi-Chi Rodriguez has much crazier stories. Think those two had good short games? Think they could hit golf shots? Think they worked hard on their golf games?
We are not machines. We have logic and emotions and feel. Machines do not have hands. Good golfers have good hands. Sure, some people are blessed with good hands. However, we can all improve our feel of the golf club.
This winter is a great time to develop more feel. Practice hitting shots with one-hand. Full-shots and half-shots. Practice putting and chipping in your house with each hand.
Do you watch that show “Yellowstone”? Well, it’s been trying to make the point that the boys (including Jimmy) need to earn what they want. It’s not what they want to hear - but it’s what they need to do.
In fact, one of the boys learns “the secret to life” from Rip - the ranch foreman … “You don’t deserve anything”. A few minutes later, the patriarch of the ranch - John - tells the boy the same thing.
It was said out of love and respect. John had told it to Rip when he was an orphan … and Rip knew it was the secret to his success and sanity.
Well, none of us deserve a good golf game. But we can earn it. Just takes work.
They must have a golf course on the ranch - I’m looking forward to that episode!
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Back Home Looking Forward
Greetings Golfers,
I was out-of-town for a while … nice to take a break … but even nicer to come home.
Obviously, the season is over … but we’re getting ready for next year.
We keep getting asked about 3 things: are we having our Christmas Sale? … are we still selling Holiday Passes? … and will we have Leagues next year?
We will have the Christmas Sale on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9am to 1pm.
We will continue with our Holiday Pass tradition … same prices as last year. The passes will go on sale on our website from Nov.16 - Dec. 15 … or purchase them at the Christmas Sale.
We will not have Leagues next year. For those who want to continue with their 4some … they can make normal tee times … and buy the Holiday Passes instead of the former League passes.
Our goal has always been to provide a relaxed, quality, friendly 18 hole round of golf.
The bunker work on the course has been going better than expected. It already looks beautiful and may even be finished before we open next year.
We’re even looking into a new F&B service for next year. We’d still have the Bev carts on #4 and #14 … but also have a delivery cart running around delivering orders from an app. Hmmmmm … might be pretty fun.
It’s good to be back home. And good to be planning for next year.
Life moves on.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Time for Humor
Greetings Golfers,
I was going to write about Time - is it linear or circular? Then I was going to launch into how a round of golf is circular … you go out and then play, back in, etc. But, the more I thought about it, the less I wanted to write about it.
I’m more in the mood for some humor than a heavy dose of philosophy about Time. So how about a Scottish joke?
Scots invented golf … so that should work.
Here goes:
An Englishman, Irishman, Welshman, Scotsman were captured while fighting in a far-off land, and the leader of the captors said: “We’re going to line you up in front of a firing squad and shoot you all in turn. But first, you each can make a final wish.”
The Englishman says: “I’d like to hear God Save the Queen just one more time to remind me of the auld country, played by the London All Boys Choir. With Morris Dancers Dancing to the tune.”
The Irishman says: “I’d like to hear Danny Boy just one more time to remind me of the auld country, sung in the style of Daniel O’Donnell, with Riverdance Dancers skipping gaily to the tune.”
The Welshman says: “I’d like to hear Men of Harlech just one more time to remind me of the auld country, sung as if by the Aberavon Male Voice Choir.”
The Scotsman says: “I’d like to be shot first”.
That’s it … humor can be a pretty good use of Time.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Death and Renewal
Greetings Golfers,
Sunday is Halloween. The ancient Celts celebrated this as the festival of Samhain - meaning the end of Summer and the “first of Winter”.
I never liked Fall until I was about 40. I just wanted non-stop Summer. Fall made me sad and I couldn’t appreciate the beauty of the season. Now it’s my favorite time of year.
Life has the same cycles as the seasons, and they all need to be appreciated. The Celts honored their dead with the passing of the seasons … and for them, Samhain was the season of death and renewal.
And for us at Deer Run, this is also a time of death and renewal - we close the golf course, yet renew the course with projects.
This Fall we have an extra special project - renewing the bunkers. Over time, bunkers spread out and lose their shape. And the sand settles in odd places. (Sounds like my body). And, the drainage gets clogged underneath. They need renewal.
So, we are in the process … and will continue as long as the weather holds. Not just are we reshaping the bunkers … we’re adding new sand - the legendary “Ohio’s Best”. This special sand is perfect for golf. The difference is pretty amazing. You’ll notice it right away … and might even start aiming for the bunkers because it’s so playable.
So … as the old bunkers die … they will be renewed … just right for this time of year.
Slan leat,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Let it Flow
Greetings Golfers,
Some of us aren’t ready for Winter … so I’m changing the words of the song from “Let it snow” to “Let it flow”.
I’m obsessed with flow. I think it’s very underrated. Not just for the golf swing … but for living.
We want things flowing at DRGC:
pace of play
check-in
F&B service
music
carts
conversations
golf-swings
happiness
That list could go on-and-on …
What we don’t want is to get stuck. Sadly, a lot of what depends on technology here seems to get stuck.
Stuck is not good.
A few weeks ago, we had some owners of a golf course looking at our cart shed. They want to start using electric golf carts … so they need to build a shed … and had heard that ours was one of the best.
So, they asked me a bunch of specific questions that I wasn’t sure the exact details of. A little frustrated, they asked why our shed was so special. I replied that it flowed. And … I could explain the details and reason why it flowed. They were not impressed. Flow was not a priority.
Then, they told me that they were also building a big building to host weddings.
And, they proudly informed me that their 36 hole course would do over 100,000 rounds this year … and that they were the only full-time employees.
Woah!!!!!!!!!!
These guys have a great business. One of the few golf cash-cow operations. Why they need to complicate their business is beyond me.
They are like a fast-food restaurant. We’re more like a funky boutique restaurant. Apples-to-oranges. One of the guys commented that they needed more of our “polish”. No they don’t. Their market doesn’t care.
I told them they have a great business and focus on flow. Trying to do too much … well, they’ll get stuck. And screw-up what matters.
Prioritizing is vital to flow (and success).
Some people don’t understand that we have limited time and energy and resources.
For example, we rate everything we do A-B-C.
Can’t screw-up the As. Try not to blow the B’s. Obviously want to do the Cs … but never at the expense of the As.
Some people see it backwards. They take for granted when the As are flowing … and focus on the Cs.
For example, if they see an unpriced shirt in the Shop or a mistake on the website … they say “if they can’t get those little things right, how can they possibly do the big things?”
Well, it’s exactly the opposite.
Thankfully, most people get it.
To prove my point … please click HERE for the 2021 Annual Readers Choice Awards from the recent Tee Times magazine.
Is this obnoxious and self-serving? Probably. But I’m also trying to make a point. One that I feel passionately about.
Trying to do too much is not smart. Trying to do things right is smart. Knowing what matters and keeping focused is smart.
Then … things will flow.
Enjoy the flow … we’re not ready for snow.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Spin to Win
Greetings Golfers,
Can you spin it?
I don’t mean your story … I mean your golf ball.
Ball sports are about controlling spin:
ping-pong
tennis
pool/billiards
baseball(pitching)
basketball(shooting)
football(passing)
golf
When I was a kid we used to play a game called “Four square”, where you basically tried to spin the ball in and out of boxes/squares.
I think we put too much emphasis on power and not enough on control.
And control comes from controlling spin.
Most golfers slice - especially with their driver. The driver is basically a flat face with little loft. The lack of loft can’t balance the slice side-spin. It’s difficult to slice your wedge - the loft nullifies the side-spin.
An old friend stopped by the other day for a lesson. He couldn’t hook/draw the golf ball.
So, we went to the chipping green - not the driving range.
He needed to learn how to spin the ball on very short shots.
So, he hit a bunch of chip shots by just holding the clubface square through the shot. No turning of the wrists - just holding it firmly through the shot.
Then, he hit a bunch of cut/slice chips where he opened the club-face under the ball as he hit it.
Next was to hook some chip shots. I wanted him to hit it like a topspin tennis shot or ping-pong topspin shot. Not just turn his wrists to close the club-face … but to also hit up on the ball. So, we teed-it up like a driver shot.
He then would swing the club up to the ball while rolling his wrists to close the clubface through contact. He got to where he could loft it up in the air and land it about 10 feet from contact and it would roll about 5 feet left toward the hole.
Those 3 different chip shots are basically golf in a nutshell. If you can do those shots … you can control the golf ball with spin.
Your full shots are just longer versions of those chip shots.
Do you remember Johnny Sain … the pitching coach for the Twins in the 60s? He was all about spin. He wasn’t big on mechanics or running … he said “You don’t run the ball across the plate. If you did, they’d look for pitchers on track teams.”
This old friend of mine used to be a catcher. He could throw the ball back to the pitcher with more speed than the pitcher, though he was sitting the crouch. Maybe the pitching wind-up isn’t that important?????
He was also a quarterback. We talked about quarterbacks throwing while on the run and not using their three-step mechanics. He said the other night on a football telecast that the Manning brothers were talking to Favre about such ideas involving Aaron Rodgers.
What I’m trying to say is that my friend was too hung-up on swing mechanics. He couldn’t control his slice. He wasn’t using his ability to throw. His golf swing wasn’t athletic.
No matter what your golf swing looks like … you need to learn how to spin the ball.
And control the spin.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Manners Matter
Greetings Golfers,
Obviously, there are pretty heated cultural wars going on in America. And both sides are even talking about secession.
Why can’t we get along?
People will always see things differently. In fact, total uniformity is not a good thing - it would be like living in a massive slave state.
But to get along, we need to communicate back and forth … and know how to disagree.
Years ago, I went to a golf seminar in Orlando to hear a famous instructor talk about the golf swing. However, he was shouted down by a group of haters and the seminar didn’t happen.
This happened over differing ideas of the golf swing - not politics or religion.
That’s crazy.
And … it’s bad manners.
This is where I think we have a lot of confusion.
Some people believe that manners are just a phony power play. I vehemently disagree.
Manners are the grease that keeps human interaction flowing.
Bossy people are annoying (at best) because they have bad manners. Trying to turn our society totally utilitarian - taking away the human element - will only make things worse. Bossy people don’t respect people.
Life is not just functionality. It involves people. People are not robots to be treated like a machine.
I feel we’re losing the little touches that make civilization work such as saying: “please and thank you”, saying “I’m sorry”, turning off your phone, acknowledging people when they walk in the room.
And not being bossy. Bossy people think manners are a waste of time. Asking people to do something is respectful - telling them what to do is rude.
Shouting a speaker down is rude.
Power plays are rude.
Being demanding is rude.
I’m not saying that anything goes. Not at all. People have to be held responsible for their actions. I’m not absolving that. Not at all.
What I’m trying to say is that people have to treat people not as a power play. Otherwise - we have war. War within families, businesses, highways, and golf courses.
Rudeness needs to be stood up to. It’s not acceptable.
However, being treated rudely is not a license to start treating people rudely. That’s just doing what they’re doing. That’s not being “empowered”.
Yet, standing up to rudeness is not being rude. It’s self-defense.
Good manners are vital - not a waste of time, or phony, or a power play.
We can get along with each other … and good manners are the key.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Common Sense
Greetings Golfers,
You would think that ambulances would just sit and wait in golf course parking lots every day.
Think about it … people swinging metal sticks … which propel a rock-hard ball at great speeds … while standing next to each other … and driving golf cars up and down hills with these balls flying around.
Then, add alcohol into the mix. And that’s not even considering the lack of control of most players. Even very good players are capable of wild and crazy shots.
How can it work?
Because - for the most part - golfers have common sense.
Seriously … if they didn’t … golf wouldn’t work.
Sometimes when I go to work in the morning, I drive through the town of Excelsior. And most of the time, I see people just walking through stop signs without even looking. They think stop signs are just for cars.
Hmmmm ………
Maybe pedestrians are supposed to have the right of way. However, is it worth risking your life over a rule?
I see more people than ever pretending that they live in la-la land rather than reality.
These same people loved watching Yogi Bear cartoons so much that they go out to Yellowstone (Jellystone) to play with the bears.
That doesn’t always work out so well.
Dealing with reality is a good thing. Not learning to deal with reality leads to walking in front of cars and playing with bears.
Golf: hit it … find it … deal with it. Hit it again … find it … deal with it.
I wish everyone played golf.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Empathy and Leadership
Greetings Golfers,
I like Mike Zimmer. I think he’s a good coach and a good guy. However, I don’t think he gets kickers. They’re different from other football players. They perform one skill. And they don’t hit people.
On Google I found …
THE FIVE ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER:
Communication
Vision
Empathy
Accountability
Gratitude
Not sure that Zimmer empathizes with kickers. Actually pretty sure that he doesn’t.
Kickers need to be loose before that game-winning (or losing) field goal.
Same with golfers. Tight golfers don’t hit good shots.
We all know people who play better after a few beers/drinks.
Maybe that list should include BARTENDER.
Speaking of leadership … a good friend just gave me a book about Ernest Shackleton. Shackleton was an English sailor who led expeditions to Antarctica about 100 years ago.
They did not go well. So, his incredible leadership kept things going … and people staying alive.
Here are some of his thoughts on leadership:
“The loyalty of your men is a sacred trust you carry. It is something which must never be betrayed, something you must live up to.”
“I have often marveled at the thin line which separates success from failure.”
“If you’re a leader, a fellow that other fellows look up to, you’ve got to keep going.”
“Leadership is a fine thing, but it has its penalties. And the greatest penalty is loneliness.”
Well, I’m sure that Zimmer feels pretty lonely a lot of the time - especially when they’re losing. But so do his kickers. A little empathy would help him and his team.
Empathy is not weakness - it’s an important part of leadership.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Ryder Cup Blog
Greetings Golfers,
As I warned you last week, Marty Lass and I are continuing our semi-annual Ryder Cup battle … using words instead of golf clubs (or fists).
Marty is defending the European team and has the floor:
Why Team Europe wins the Ryder Cup…
First and most importantly, I want to be clear that I certainly want Team USA to win the Ryder Cup! I think they have a great captain and team and hope they are celebrating big at the end of the competition.
This however is my stance on why the Euro’s take the cup back overseas….
Ryder Cup Experience. Some people will downplay this, but the European players combined have 38 Ryder Cup appearances vs. 12 appearances by the Americans. This will certainly help them in keeping the heavy ‘home field’ crowds at bay and not bothering them in the competition. The salty veterans will show the young bucks how to maintain composure…
Heavy Underdogs. The Euro’s thrive on this. On paper, there isn’t a snowball in hell’s chance they can win. Watch out.
Whistling Straits. Great venue: not really an ‘American course’ (i.e. Hazeltine) so I don’t feel the course itself has a home-field advantage.
WGC Match Play. Earlier this year in the WGC Match Play, the 12 Europeans had a combined 18-13-5 record in the ‘group stage’ matches while the 11 Americans who played (Koepka was injured) had a combined 13-12-8 record. The World Rankings are based primarily on stroke-play events, not many match-play formats used (which is the Ryder Cup).
Intangibles. Lee Westwood back in 2016 couldn’t make a putt if the cup was the size of a Frisbee. Since then, he has a new love in his life and she caddies for him, and no more missed 2-footers! Rory and Sergio since the last Ryder Cup now have kids. This will help them make playing golf in the Ryder Cup a bit more relaxed, no pressure, having some fun.
Win or lose, the European team will have fun, which alleviates some of the pressure. When the Americans win, it is fun. When they lose, not so much (and the finger pointing begins…).
When it’s all said and done, the team that can manage to win the last three holes consistently (making a few crucial putts) will win the Ryder Cup.
- Marty Lass
Thanks Marty - well done!
However, the Europeans will not win the Ryder Cup.
This American team is just too strong.
I know, I know … Europe has won 9 of the past 12 Ryder Cups … and they are more experienced than this American team. I get it.
But, since 2008, American Ryder Cup rookies have gone 40-29-17.
Maybe it’s not about experience.
Match-play is different from medal play. Medal-play rewards patience. Match-play rewards aggression and optimism.
As much as I like Webb Simpson … I like that Captain Steve Stricker picked Scottie Sheffield and Daniel Berger.
Stricker needs a fresh, exciting team. He has enough weirdness with DeChambeau and Koepka … he didn’t need Patrick Reed.
Look at the talent on Team USA: Collin Morikawa, Xander Shauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau.
Yeah - Jon Rahm is ranked #1 in the world. Yet, the next 9 are on this American team.
And, it’s on American soil.
Sorry Marty - it won’t even be close.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com