Short But Sweet
SHORT BUT SWEET
Greetings Golfers,
I’m under the gun … this blog has to be sent in and formatted shortly. I won’t be able to ramble (which might be good) … but I probably won’t have time to think this through as much as it should be.
The golf course doesn’t run itself … I actually have a lot to do. Some people think I just play golf every day. Last year - an older guy (about my age) - said to me “Wish I’d had a job where I played golf every day” … I replied, “Me too!”
So … you’ve been warned … let’s see where this goes.
I’ve been thinking that the more based on reality things are … the fewer rules and regulations are needed. For example - golf. Basically, golf is a game of Scottish shepherds hitting a rock with a stick to a target. Hit it - find it - hit it. If we can’t do that … we need a rule.
That’s a pretty pure game. Basically only needing a rule to solve the problem of a lost ball or an unhittable ball.
Think about other sports or games or businesses, etc … the fewer rules and regulations … the more grounded in reality.
Then think about things that are overwhelmed with rules and regulations. Hmmmmmmmm. Maybe because the basic concept doesn’t work? Then when it isn’t working … they come up with more rules and regulations. But is that really solving why its not working?
If your golf swing needs 50 swing thoughts to work … what’s really going on?
Well … I’d love to take this further … however, I need to send this in right now.
But … I will return to this topic. If you have any thoughts about it … please send them to me.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Judgment Pages
JUDGMENT PAGES
Greetings Golfers,
Here are two dictionaries’ definitions of judgment:
“The ability to make considered decisions”.
“The process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing”.
So … judgment involves thinking.
However, I’m seeing too many decisions made not by thinking and judgment … but by data.
Major League Baseball has become like something out of a science-fiction movie run by robots. Jim Kaat - the former Twin and Hall of Fame pitcher - has been beating this drum. Here’s a quote from Kaat about Rory winning the Masters:
“What a riveting day for golf fans or patrons. Maybe for fans of all sports. Redemption for Rory. We were told about the statistical stuff that said nobody has won the Masters if they did this or that. Even CBS, whose coverage (IMO) of the Masters is the gold standard in covering sporting events, has begun to cave in to mentioning statistics from the past. But … Hip Hip Hooray for Rory. He showed us that a sporting event that shows us heart, soul, flaws, greatness and guts thrills us. The humanity of an athlete. Take your analytics and past statistics and stick-it where the sun doesn’t shine. Just give me what Dick Enberg and John Madden passed on to me - the Who and What and the How and Why … Thank you, Rory!”
We’re letting data make our decisions instead of using our judgment. Data should be a tool … not the boss.
We’re too hung-up on “perfect models”. Instead of taking personal control and responsibility.
For example … the other day, a high school team was practicing at the range. I tried to get them to hit golf shots … sort of like a pitcher throwing off speed stuff or curveballs. They weren’t interested … they just wanted to work on their “wind-up”. Well … the pitcher's wind-up is just a motion to throw a pitch. Your golf swing is just a motion to hit a shot.
Same with a baseball batter. The swing is just a way to hit the ball. Learn to hit the ball to opposite fields … and liners and grounders, etc. Not just make a swing. Here’s a quote from Kaat on that:
“Hitters that work on their swing (Raffy Devers) need to work on swinging where the ball is pitched. Pete Rose played pepper every day. That’s how you learn to make contact”.
Same with golf. Work on your contact. Little push shots are great for that.
I see this as all connected … looking for a magic way to do things for you … rather than to take responsibility. “The data made the decision - I didn’t”. I made a perfect golf swing … it’s not my fault where the ball went. I made a perfect wind-up … it’s not my fault that the hitter hit a home run.
No … you weren’t pitching … you should have thrown a different pitch … not worrying about your wind-up. You should’ve punched a low shot instead of making a perfect swing. You should have been aware of the health of your staff instead of just making your decision based only on stats.
People need to play the game … of life … and start using judgment instead of relying on statistics and models.
Yesterday … the third Thursday in a row that the weatherman said it would rain all day. Well … it was another beautiful day. So we had a bunch of people who cancelled and missed out on a great day of golf because they were relying on the weatherman instead of using their own judgment.
Of course, information and statistics and models should be used in a making decisions. But … judgment is more than that. It’s your gut and intuition and just a general feel of life. Why we want to cut that off and become robotic is hard for me to understand. Is it that scary to make a wrong decision? Is everything CYA?
One of our greatest gifts of being human is that we have judgment. We shouldn’t discard it. We should prize it and have the courage to take responsibility when we make a mistake. Running from responsibility isn’t freedom … in fact it leads to a slave mentality.
Hope to see you next Thursday - rain or shine!
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
A One - Lane Road
A ONE-LANE ROAD
Greetings Golfers,
I don’t drive much - just mostly to and from home to Deer Run. And I usually take the back roads and miss out on typical daily traffic.
But … once a week, I pick up my granddaughter and drive her to our home. That’s when I get to savor the joys of driving on freeways and merging back and forth.
No one ever looks. They just blast into it. It’s a pretty easy concept if people would just look up and anticipate. Instead, it’s crazy and dangerous and a power struggle instead of an easy transition.
Then I get on #7 with its stoplights. I’ll look in my mirror and notice that the driver is texting … the light changes … and they don’t move … thus backing up everyone behind them.
None of this is very tricky. Just need some common sense and respect.
Same as pace of play on a golf course. Just need common sense and respect to keep it flowing and enjoyable for everyone. The golf course is a one-lane road. Especially if it’s full. Passing (playing through) doesn’t help. There’s nowhere to go. That’s why everyone needs to be aware.
We believe that playing in 4 hours is like driving 60-65 on the freeway. A nice pace … and reachable for everyone.
Golf shouldn’t be a racetrack … but it also shouldn’t be a traffic jam.
There will be slow-ups … someone lost a ball, etc … but it should then get back on pace.
Unlike driving a car … golf isn’t just about getting from the 1st tee to the 18th green. Hopefully it’s about enjoying being outside, hitting golf shots, and being with friends and/or family. It’s not a racetrack. I’ve heard guys brag about their fast round … as if that’s the determining factor of enjoyability.
But it shouldn’t be slow and annoying … that becomes a frustrating experience … especially when there’s no legitimate reason for it.
Not everyone knows the basics for keeping it on track. This list was sent to me the other day … I think you’ll like it:
1.) Park at the back of the green, so your group isn’t walking toward the group behind once the hole is finished.
2.) Drop their cart partner off at their ball, while the other cart golfer goes and finds their ball. You don’t need to co-dependently watch each other’s ever swing.
3.) If you’re the one who got dropped off, take your shot and then walk toward the cart so you can link up quicker.
4.) If someone is within 60 yards of the green, drop them off with a wedge and a putter.
5.) If you’re the only cart in the group, use your cart to help track down other players’ balls.
I think that list was part of a discussion about slow play. The writer summed it up by saying that it could “save 40 extra minutes wasted for no reason”.
Yeah … he’s right. Just little thoughtful moves keep the round moving at a nice pace.
We all have bad days. Most of us understand that. But some players are always slow. Whether it’s from a lack of understanding … or just selfishness … is the big question. Whether on the road or the golf course.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Flow and Control
FLOW AND CONTROL
Greetings Golfers,
We all love to watch a beautiful golf swing … it flows.
And we all love to see beautifully controlled golf shots … shots that land and finish where they should.
The goal is to be able to do both.
I don’t see many beautiful golf swings. I see too many swings that are stiff and never flow.
I get it. We all get it. Hitting wild, crazy shots isn’t fun. But we have to risk it if we’re going to develop a good swing … and play good golf.
How many times have you hit it great at the range … and then go to the course and chop-it-around?
We all have. Because … we stop swinging when we get on the golf course. Not letting our swing flow … results in bad shots.
First off … relax your hands. Squeezing the club stops the flow of the club and your body. Even with putting … good putters have a light grip.
Here’s where I think the trouble begins: too many people wind-up and then quit at the ball. They need to learn how to accelerate the golf club - even the putter. Practice putting with a slow short backswing and then make a longer follow through. Then try it with chipping. How often have you watched a friend take a long backswing on a chip-shot … and then de-cel and chunk it? Maybe a million times?
I think that’s why people lose their timing and don’t swing … they don’t trust it. They instinctively know that the backswing is too big for the intended shot … especially on a short putt.
Here’s a way to practice chipping that can help. Start out with long chip-shots … and fluff-it-up in the rough … and make sure that your shots go past the pin … nothing short … you want acceleration. Then, hit some medium length chips … fluffed-up … and hit them past the pins. Then, same thing with some short chips.
Now you’re loose and accelerating. Go back to the long chip … but hit it off of a normal lie - not fluffed up. And again … hit it past the pin. Same with medium and short chips.
Now, start again with the long chips off of normal lies … and try to hit it close. Same with medium and short chips … try to make ‘em.
Now … go to the short chip … and hit off a skinny lie … a scary lie with almost no grass. If you haven’t been accelerating … you’ll chunk that little chip off that bare lie.
Ok … you’d probably putt it on the course … but this is a drill all about acceleration.
But you’re not done.
Go back to the long chip with the fluffed-up lie … and hit about 3 or 4 … it will seem unbelievably easy. Then stop. You’re done. Leave with that feeling.
When you can … make versions of this drill at the range with full shots. Use a tee at the range instead of the fluffed-up lies. It’s the same concept. You will then naturally learn the proper backswing length to your shots. Your swing will become smoother and more accelerating.
You will develop FLOW and CONTROL. Isn’t that what we all want? And I don’t mean just golf.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Masters
Masters
Greetings Golfers,
Spring Training for golf is over … the real season has begun.
Opening Day was yesterday - the first round of the Masters.
I can’t believe how good the Masters is … every year it’s incredible. That’s not luck. It’s a special tournament at a special place.
We need traditions. We need rooted things. As we got “modern” we became afraid of getting stuck … that we had to keep moving “forward”.
I get it. But that doesn’t mean discarding everything from the past. We should be building on the developments of the past … not constantly erasing and starting over. We need balance.
When I went to the Masters 30 years ago … it was even better than what I anticipated. It was so relaxed. Everyone was friendly. No one was running … no one was in hurry. It was spotless … but it wasn’t uptight. The whole place had a natural flow about it. Nothing was herky-jerky.
And the beauty. Wow. A friend recommended that we walk the back-nine when we got there in the morning … just to see it in it’s natural splendor before the players and the crowds arrived.
It’s basically in a bowl. The elevation changes are more severe than it seems on tv. Back then in 1995 … there wasn’t any rough. In fact the whole place was like a giant putting green. It really put a demand on control … a wild shot wouldn’t stop rolling … until it wound-up in a bad place. Yikes!
They put in a light rough to “Tiger-Proof” it … I think that light rough actually helps the long driver … it keeps his shots in play.
Speaking of Tiger … he was there as an amateur. And the Pros were talking about him. Everyone was using a wooden driver for control and shot-making.
This was so long ago that Tiger was an amateur and Arnold Palmer was a player. After Arnie finished … he sat on a stool behind the 18 green and talked and signed autographs. A buddy of mine who worked for Arnie’s golf club line … said that I had to meet him. I said “No … he doesn’t want to meet me … what’s the point?” He said that Arnie’s not like that … he’s a real guy … and he literally dragged me over to meet him.
When we got there … Arnie recognized him and they started talking. So I started looking into Arnie’s bag and pulled out one of his irons. What interested me was that he had leather-wrapped golf grips. I used to use leather-wrap-grips and did it myself to make my left hand grip fat and my right hand grip skinny.
While checking this out … Arnie turned around and asked me what I thought about his grips. He said that he also did it himself to get it right. And then we talked about goofy stuff we did to get them how we wanted. It was as natural as talking to my old friends. Yeah … he was that guy.
But the whole place felt like that. The starter on #1 sat at a table with a rock holding the tee sheets. For every player … he would stand and in a casual Southern voice say “Ben Crenshaw (etc) - driving”. Then just sit down. None of that “voice” announcing their accomplishments, etc. Just simple and relaxed.
Well … I hope it’s still maintaining its integrity. Too many places that I’ve loved have sold-out and turned into places that I don’t even like to visit.
Progress isn’t always what is new. Especially if what is new is just glitz. For example, a well-made pair of older shoes is better than a pair of poorly made, ill-fitting shoes that are new.
Well … sit back and enjoy the Masters. Even though we opened on Wednesday … don’t miss the Masters. Maybe you can do both.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Culture
Culture
Greetings Golfers,
We weren’t expecting Wednesday’s snow … not shocking … but surprising. We want to get open … but not at the expense of the golf course. Frustrating.
Frustration can lead to negativity. Negativity usually doesn’t make things better. Negativity has to be dealt with … not ignored … and not something to feast on.
Feasts can be fun … but groups of people can turn negative … and a negative feast takes on a life of its own. Here’s an example:
A few years ago, I needed a break and went to play at a fairly local club. The Pro hooked-me-up with some guys I knew and we teed-off. It started raining on #5 … and by #9 it was unplayable … so we went in.
We all sat at the back of the bar. I knew all of these guys - probably about 20 - and one-on-one, I like them all. However, this turned into a group feast … a feast of negativity … and the goal seemed to be who could be the most negative.
Everything was attacked: the golf course, the condition of the course, the carts, the Pro Shop, the staff, the food and beverage … name it - they attacked it.
Were their attacks valid? Not really … they were just nit-picking … it’s a great place. Is it perfect? Obviously not … what is? … but is it a good place? Yes.
Well … after 20 minutes of this … it wasn’t relenting … it was ramping-up. So I stood-up and said “What’s wrong with guys? You’re alive … you’re healthy enough to play golf … you’ve got the time and money to play here … and this is a great place. You guys are respected and set-the-tone here … why try to ruin it? You’re acting like spoiled brats who don’t know what they have. I’m out-of-here.”
Culture is the most important thing at a golf course. Number one. It’s what concerns me most.
If a culture turns negative … it’s a virus … a cancer. It can spread through the golfers and the staff. And it will kill everything.
If it takes over … how do you get rid of it? Probably have to start fresh. How does that work without folding?
Last week, my wife and I watched season one of “White Lotus”. Wow. The most unlikeable people on the planet. At least they left the resort after their stay was over … so their negativity mostly went with them. But imagine if they never left. That’s what can happen at a club - public or private - the negativity can become the culture.
I like to think that our best feature is our fun and friendly culture. But I never take it for granted. It needs constant nourishment … like that carrot and stick saying. I’d rather keep feeding it more carrots … but sometimes it needs the stick.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Old and New
Old and New
Greetings Golfers,
Faked-out again!
Our superintendent - Barry - and I thought we we’re going to have an early opening this year. Probably not. Now we’re looking at the 2nd week in April … which is actually normal. Nothing wrong with that … just hope it stays nice once we open. Some years, it snows after we open … in April … and even in May!
I actually love getting it ready every year. Though there’s a lot to do … it’s fun, exciting and satisfying.
And I don’t mean that old saying “Out with the Old and In with the New”. Sure … we get rid of stuff … and get in new stuff. But we aren’t stuck on an agenda either way. Some people don’t like anything new … they’re stuck in the past. And some people don’t like anything old … they only want what is new.
What’s wrong with making your own combination of old and new?
We just got in our new flags and flag sticks … though new … they’re actually old-school. We think they’re really cool.
And … as I write this … the guys are here installing the new GPS on our new golf carts.
To me … the flags and carts represent the best of the old and new in golf.
And last night, I met some old friends at a bar in our home town.
Doesn’t mean I don’t have new friends … but I love seeing my old friends.
This shouldn’t be tricky. But our society is becoming too agenda driven.
Well … our “agenda” at DRGC is pretty simple: We want the best of old and new stuff … and when it comes to people … it’s not about old and new … it’s about not being a jerk.
Seems pretty simple to me.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Real People
Real People
Greetings Golfers,
Last night we watched the first two episodes of “Full Swing” season #3. Loved it. Highly recommend “Full Swing.
And the other morning … our Keeper of the Green - Barry Provo - told me that I’d enjoy another golf television show: TLG on ESPN.
Obviously, I’m late to this stuff. It’s ironic because I love that people are getting to see PGA players as human beings … not the tight-lipped guys that we see between-the-ropes during tournaments.
Arnold Palmer brought golf to the masses with his personality and “unique” golf swing. He was a real guy. People can’t relate to automatons.
I read an article last night that researchers are finding that people do not respond to politicians that seem like automatons.
Hmmmmm. So that got me thinking. Maybe as our society turned more centralized … meaning business and government … that the goal was to appear “perfect” with no distinctive qualities. That bland and robotic represented seriousness and expertise. Whereas “human” qualities such as enthusiasm were seen as unsophisticated and “average”.
However, if you look at history … strong leaders were definitely not automatons. Arnold Palmer was not an automaton. But he wasn’t an over-the-top crazy man … he was real … he was authentic.
These new documentaries are so popular because we want to see the person behind the mask. The documentary about racing: “Formula 1: The Drive to Survive” … is one the highest viewed tv shows. Because you get to see behind the curtain.
“The Wizard of Oz” had a profound effect on me. It’s basically how I’ve seen the world since I saw the movie as a little kid. And I understand the need for a curtain more than the need for a mask. I don’t like either one. But the mask … really turns me off. I can’t trust a mask-wearer.
And if I can’t trust a mask-wearer … how can I root for them?
I’m definitely not saying that quiet people need to change. Not at all. I just like and trust authentic people. Wow - what a concept!
I know that AI is a big deal and moving in. And … hopefully like all tools … we can use it to help mankind. Not let it take over and control our lives.
Ironically, I think the concept that robotic-like people are “experts” plays into the concept of AI taking over humanity rather than being a tool of humanity.
Why would people prefer and admire robots instead of humans? I see it in golf swings. I see people trying to take out their athleticism and replace it with a robotic golf swing.
I need to wrap this up. Here we go … EMBRACE YOUR HUMANITY. Doesn’t mean to be your worst version of yourself … be the best version of yourself … not as a robot … but as a human being!
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Sharing the Road
Sharing The Road
Greetings Golfers,
Just got back from a quick golf trip. I know that sounds obnoxious … but it’s one of the few benefits of old age.
Now I want change your opinion of me to one of pity. (Not sure that this will work). Because I played golf everyday, my neck and shoulder are freaking-out. Years ago it got so bad that I had to shake hands with my left-hand. Then I found some ways to relieve the pain … and changed my golf swing so that I basically swung left-handed. I still made a right-handed golf swing … but my right-hand was basically just lightly holding-on.
(Hopefully, I now have your sympathy).
As we get older … things change … and we have to find new ways to make our swing work. Because I am very right-handed … I never really trusted my new “left-handed” swing. And … I lost quite a bit of power and control. Not as fun as it sounds. But at least I could still play golf.
However, the last round of the trip … after a few holes … I decided to play right-hand dominate. Wow! My shot-making and power became much better. I almost felt young again. However, reality set-in … and by the last hole … I knew that I’d pushed it too far.
Was it worth it? Not sure … but I think so. I’ll know for sure by tomorrow.
But I have other more interesting observations from my little golf vacation. Mostly about pace-of-play … and the driving in SW Florida.
One round … we played in 3:15 … and had people hitting into us. Seriously. Some people think that they have a right to play at whatever speed they want to. I think that a 4 hour pace is wonderful. And fair for everyone. And reasonable for everyone. We’re sharing a one-lane road. To me it’s like a 65 mph pace. If the course is full … it makes no sense to let people play through if everyone is at a 4 hour pace. There’s nowhere to go. It’s a one-lane road!
Let’s talk driving on the roads. Some people feel that a left-turn arrow means that they can make the turn whenever they’re ready. Maybe the 10 cars behind them didn’t mind missing the light because of their inconsideration … but I doubt it. It’s pretty mind-boggling … and pretty similar to the people playing at a 5 hour rate with a full course behind them.
But the people who think they have right to a 3 hour round on a full course are just as narcissistic.
Being ready for the left-turn arrow … and trying to play golf at a 4 hour pace are not unrealistic expectations. In both cases … we’re sharing a one-lane road. I think what frustrates the people behind such slow-pokes is that it seems like they just don’t care. It’s the inconsideration that is really annoying … or more than annoying.
But being hit into is beyond annoying. It would be like someone driving their car into you while you’re driving through the green arrow … especially if there’s no room in front of you. It’s dangerous and crazy and narcissistic. What a great trio!
Well … I hope your body is ready physically for a good season of golf. And I hope that the other players on the course are respectful of each other and of a 4 hour pace of play.
My magic wand isn’t working very well … so hopefully my blogs can pick-up the slack.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Balance
The Balance
Greetings Golfers,
Just got back home. Of course … we got hit with a blizzard … but this is March in Minnesota.
Heard a bunch of great podcasts on the drive back. Even one about AI … which I vaguely understand … and definitely don’t know what it means for the future.
I worry about life becoming too mechanical … too robotic … too much emphasis on efficiency.
Obviously those can be good things … but as I tried to say … not too much.
Just read an article about “Fordism” … meaning Henry Ford and his development of the assembly line. The article was concerned that “Fordism” had taken over our society.
I get it. What we need is a balance. Factories can make things more affordable and thus accessible to more people. For example, if you need a table and have little to spend … you can find a cheap functional table pretty easily. Would I rather have a well-crafted non-factory-made table … that could be passed down for generations? Yeah … I’m that guy. Would it be maybe cheaper in the long run? Probably. But what about the person who doesn’t have that option and wants it now?
Since we’re talking about Henry Ford … here’s an example of how this works with cars. I have 2 cars - a fairly new Jeep … and an old Alfa Romeo. The Jeep is very efficient. It works … rain, snow, or shine. The Alfa … not so much. Some years it doesn’t even get out of the shop. Hard to find parts and hard to find people who can work on it.
Why do I own the Alfa? Because I like to drive. I really like to drive. The thought of self-driving cars makes me crazy. Is the Alfa efficient? No. I don’t really trust it. But when I can … I love to drive it to Deer Run on the back roads. It’s a longer, slower route … but really fun if you’re into driving.
If I’m squeezed for time … I take the Jeep and take the highway.
Ok … let’s talk courses. Do I want Deer Run to be more Jeep than Alfa … or vice-versa? I want it to be more Alfa … but still efficient. I think playing golf is more like my loving of driving a car than getting from point A to point B.
Do I want slow rounds and inefficient service? Of course not. But I don’t want the course to feel like a racetrack and that we’re trying to run you out here.
Now this interesting. We share the golf course. We share the planet. How do we keep it personal … and efficient enough to be fair to everyone?
We believe that a 4 hour round is reasonable for everyone … not a race track … but still efficient enough to be fair and not slow. However, there may be “slow-ups” along the way. The group ahead of you may have lost multiple balls on the same hole. That may lead to a slowdown. Once they get settled … things should pick-up and get back on pace.
However … some people think that slow-down should never happen. Or that our staff in the Pub should never get it with a big wave of people that slow-down their order. That way of looking at life is too “Fordism”. People are not robots. Life is not totally about efficiency.
Those type of people are never happy. How could they be? Life is not that mechanical … Thank God!
Life when we’re Down South is more Alfa than Jeep. It’s why we go there. When JFK was elected President, he was asked about Washington DC. He said “It has the efficiency of the South and the charm of the North”. Ouch.
My goal for DRGC is the opposite. I want the charm of the South and the efficiency of the North. Can we do it? We can try. But we’ll never get perfect balance … I just hope it’s close.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
A Shotmaker
A Shotmaker
Greetings Golfers,
Golf: Hit it … find it … hit it.
And you do it on 18 different holes. Holes designed to challenge your skill and your strategy.
Then throw in weather … and you have a constant unique challenge.
And because we’re human … every round is also constant unique challenge. Some days it’s easy … some days it’s unbelievably hard.
But that’s why we play. It’s all about how we deal with it.
And golf is going to put you in situations where you have to hit different types of shots. Hitting it up over a tree is obviously different from punching it under a tree. Both can be very satisfying. Or, very frustrating.
We need to keep working on our shot-making skills to get better at dealing with the challenges. Most people focus too much on trying to develop a “perfect” swing … and trying to hit it far.
Control of the ball is what it’s really about.
Think about it. You try to hit a driver high and far … and you try to roll a putt on the ground into a hole. Pretty different golf shots. Yet necessary to play the game.
I wonder if Rudyard Kipling played golf. You know, the guy who wrote the poem “If”. Here’s an AI description of the famous poem:
“It’s a poem that encourages people to maintain their balance and moral fortitude in the face adversity.”
He had to play golf.
Kipling was also known as a problem solver and is method was based on a series of questions. Here’s how he described it:
“I keep six honest serving men: They taught me all I knew
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who
Not sure how much his method helps with solving golf problems … but at least he had the right mind-set for dealing with life … and golf!
Well, keep working on your shot-making … and your problem solving. This could be your best golf year yet.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Harvey Mackay
Harvey Mackay
Greetings Golfers,
This morning I read a great article by Harvey Mackay. You know, the guy who wrote “Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive” … a pretty great book about dealing with the reality of the business world.
Actually, I loved it and gave it to all of my managers when it came out back in the 80’s.
For all of our modern “genius” … we take for granted that success in life is all about relationships and priorities. I don’t mean that in a cheesy way of phony relationships and shallow priorities.
People love to denigrate the business world as just being a bunch of ruthless sharks who do anything for money. Are there creepy people like that in the business world? Yeah. But they also exist in the non-business world. They’re just bad people … and I certainly don’t believe that the business world is basically immoral and made to reward such creeps.
Good business people see money as a tool to create a business … and a needed tool to survive and get better. The people who see money as the end-game of life … give business a bad name … and give humanity a bad name.
I don’t know Harvey. I met him once after one of his speeches 30 years ago. He was charming and insightful … I’d even say profound. He sees business through the lens of an entrepreneur and especially as a salesman.
Many business people undervalue the importance of sales. They think that their product or service should just automatically sell itself. They don’t understand or appreciate the value of relationships. Or, they think that sales people’s emphasis on relationships is nothing more than buying the business - meaning trips and dinners and gifts, etc.
To me … it’s all about trust. I deal with people selling golf clubs, balls, clothing, accessories, etc … and food, liquor, beer, soda, etc … and mowers, sprayers, etc … and advertising in magazines, radio, etc … and paving, buildings, etc. I’m going to stop there … you get it. Am I an expert in all of those areas? Hardly. But I’m pretty good at reading people … so I focus on who knows their stuff … and especially - who I can TRUST.
This morning’s article is titled “Focus: The Person Who Is Everywhere Is Nowhere”. Ahhhhhh. I totally agree.
In our attempt to be open-minded … we have relativized everything … everything is of the same value. This is very misguided thinking. If everything is a priority - nothing is a priority. We need to prioritize. Otherwise life becomes overwhelming … and we usually wind-up screwing-up what matters.
A well-run business appears to be easy and simple … almost that it runs itself. Too many people don’t respect that. And, they think the business should be doing more things. They don’t appreciate how difficult it is to run a business so that it looks easy.
Same with a good golf swing. It looks easy. People should be trying to make their golf swings easier and simpler. That can only happen when they start prioritizing what matters in their golf swing. Trying to make a “perfect” swing puts too much value on every part of the swing. Impact and control of the club face are what matters.
Did you know that Harvey Mackay played golf at the U of Minnesota? Yeah - he did. I never saw him play … but had to a very good player.
He also became a very good tennis player. During the 80’s … I was a member of tennis club and played a lot in the winter. One night there, I watched Harvey play a match. His strokes weren’t pretty … but they were very effective … he knew how to make it work.
Here’s a LINK to his article. I think you’ll like it.
The message of good relationships and prioritizing are timeless. They’re at the heart of living a good life. Doesn’t mean you’ll get rich or win the US Open … but you’ll make life simple enough to enjoy it and not be overwhelmed by the impossible goal of perfection.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Motivation
Motivation
Greetings Golfers,
The other day, playing with a group of local characters … I got paired with a guy who played football on a Notre Dame national championship team. He’s a good athlete … also played hockey and baseball. And is a good golfer. And was a successful lawyer.
Why I am telling you about how wonderful this guy is? Because, he needed my constant encouragement to finish his round. He didn’t play the first hole well - not terrible - but was immediately really down on himself. It continued through holes 2 and 3.
I told him that the first three holes are warm-up holes … that the round begins on #4.
Well … I kept at it. “Your swing looks good.” “Just slow down a little … there’s nothing wrong … you just look hurried.” Etc. Oh yeah, “the round begins on the next hole.”
So … who do you think beat me on the back nine? Yeah … he played great.
Maybe yelling at him at football practice would have worked … but yelling at him on the golf course wouldn’t have … he was already yelling at himself inside his head.
I even threw-out the “casually-confident” idea. He liked it … a lot. Maybe I can take all the credit for his well-played back nine. Obviously not … but I can take a little of it. Encouragement is a pretty good way to motivate. Anger/fear isn’t the best … especially in golf.
Though I try to be encouraging to others … sometimes I’m not good at taking my own advice. I’ve gotten dragged into an ugly war recently … I’ve been through plenty of wars, but never enjoy it … yet, I don’t run from them either. However, at my age, I was tempted to move on.
Well a wise family member sent me this quote from Oliver Wendall Holmes, Jr:
Life is painting a picture, not doing a sum.
"As we go about our activities, we will have a richer day when we think of ourselves as painting a picture instead of keeping score. Rather than woodenly completing a task, we might approach it as something that can be made interesting. Instead of driving to work or riding the bus only to reach our destination, we might think of this routine as part of the picture we paint today. When a friend makes a comment, we might think of it as another brush stroke in our painting and join in with him, rather than making a game or contest we must try to win.
Many of us men were taught that success means having the highest score. So we have become compulsively competitive—always trying to be right, always striving for more financial security, or always pushing ourselves for some new achievement. Success may not be coming out on top. When our lives are lived as rich and interesting pictures, we find our rewards are far deeper and more lasting.
May the picture I paint today be one I will carry with me and appreciate."
So that’s my new motivation. I’m not moving on. I’m staying and painting a beautiful picture.
Hope you are too.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Different Strokes
Different Strokes
Greetings Golfers,
I’m writing this from my porch in SC. It’s about 6:15am … and it’s quiet. Not a car on our street or any streets nearby … no lights on in homes … no one walking the sidewalk. The town is quiet.
I love it.
This is a different style of living from my life in Minnesota. I love both. And I respect both.
Both places are little towns … so similar in many ways. Yet … very different.
You know where I’m going with this. Golf. Yes … golf.
Did you read Justin Thomas’ letter to the PGA Tour about needing to make it more human and player accessible? Or Charley Hoffman’s letter to PGA Tour addressing issues such as slow-play and loyalty?
Last year, the PGA Tour saw its final round ratings drop by 19%. Ouch. Why? Gee … that’s tough … maybe because it’s boring?
Why is televised golf boring? Why the new TGL league? Why LIV golf?
Because the game of golf got stuck and has been trying to get unstuck.
Have you ever read “Doctor Golf” by William Price Fox? You should. It’s hilarious. Doctor Golf is an imaginary golf guru who owns a golf sanctuary in Arkansas. He’s a golf snob on steroids who has a golf column like the old “Dear Abby” advice column. Fox wrote it in 1963 … when Arnold Palmer was making the PGA Tour successful.
Arnold Palmer wasn’t boring. He made golf exciting. He wasn’t a snob … he was charming … he was handsome and masculine … he had a crazy swing … and played an aggressive/reckless style of golf.
In one of the letters to Doctor Golf … he’s asked his opinion of Arnie … the Doctor replies “Who ?”.
For Doctor Golf … golf came in one size … and one size only … elite. Old-school elite … almost royalty.
Can golf come in that flavor? Sure why not? I sometimes play an old elite club in SC where the club pros can’t even go in the clubhouse … only members can. It’s their club … I don’t care how they do it. It’s not my scene … but I love the golf course … I love to play golf.
Later today, I’m going to tee-it-up at a funny public course. Can’t wait. They have a pond by the clubhouse with a golf hole on a dock to hit shots at … but usually a gator is sleeping on it. Seriously.
This week is the Phoenix Open. Doctor Golf would lose his mind.
Should every Tour event be like the Phoenix Open? Should every Tour event be like the Masters?
Golf is getting unstuck. But it doesn’t have to throw old-school golf out the window. Because it isn’t the only model.
How would I improve golf tv ratings? I’m glad you asked. Simple. Don’t cute it up. Just explain what’s going on. The announcers never bring you into the real action. They’re always jumping around the course and mostly showing random guys making putts. Who cares? Maybe if you have bets on the players it’s interesting. Otherwise … show the action. Set-up how the hole is designed. The risks and rewards. How the wind is affecting the strategy. The tendencies of the leaders. What they’re struggling with and why.
Tony Romo does a pretty good job of this with football. He brings you into the game. That’s what televised golf needs.
Ok … this is getting too long. And now it’s 7:15 and cars are actually on the streets. Well … a few.
But before I go … I wanted to talk about my latest golf “insight”. About attitude. When you tee-it-up … take the attitude of “casually-confident”. I think you’ll like.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Golf Anywhere - Anytime
Golf Anywhere - Anytime
Greetings Golfers,
Just heard that some golf courses are reopening in Minnesota. I think that’s great!
Obviously, it depends on the course. Though we’re all selling golf … we’re selling different versions of golf. One of the beauties of the game is that it can be played in many variations. But it all comes down to hitting a rock with a stick.
The other night, while talking about getting old … a friend said that the two main determiners to good health in old age are grip strength and balance.
Hmmmmmmm.
That’s what matters in golf at any age.
One of my golf heroes - recommends tying your shoes while standing on one leg. Try it … it’s not easy. But think how good that is for your balance.
I had one of those grip-squeezers up in my office … but I gave it away. Think that I need a new one … and actually have to start using it.
Also, it’s harder to make a full backswing as we get older. Try swinging like Bobby Jones. What I mean is, lift your left heel fully and turn your foot so that your left knee makes a full-turn on the backswing. Then hold at the top of the backswing. You should be balanced and fully turned. Then swing through into your follow-through and it should be a reverse picture of the top of your backswing.
Then just keep doing it back and forth. It’s a great drill to complete your swing … and a great way to develop rhythm.
The idea to keep the left foot flat so that you increase torque is only for youngsters. And … youngsters should practice this drill anyway. Especially as they’re building a golf swing. They can always tighten-it-up … but they need to learn a full golf swing with a good turn and a good weight-shift … this drill is the perfect way to develop a golf swing … at any age.
Then, we need drills to improve our balance and strengthen our hands.
So … we can play golf anywhere at anytime. Even in Minnesota during the winter!
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The PGA Show
The PGA Show
Greetings Golfers,
Pretty crazy weather week. I left Beaufort before it got covered in snow. It’s not warm here in Orlando - but I’m at the PGA Show - not playing golf.
As I’ve made clear over the years - I love the PGA Show! It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year. Well, it’s not really a week … it used to be a week … now it’s only 3 days. Not enough time to really see everything … and see everyone.
As much as I love seeing everything related to golf … I love seeing these golf people even more. The evenings spent talking everything golf in the lobby of the same hotel over the last 30+ years is even better than that movie “My Dinner With Andre”.
Ok … what’s new at the Show? Well, I’m writing this Thursday morning … and yesterday (Wednesday) was the first day … so haven’t seen everything. So far it doesn’t seem like much is new … but it seems that products are getting better. I’m talking equipment, clothing, carts, tech … everything.
However, what I’m most excited about is an old-school company in England that has great flagsticks, flags, trash cans, etc. I know it sounds goofy that I’m so excited about this stuff … but it’s really cool. I never knew that courses used to use yellow flags on the front-nine and red flags on the back-nine. Well, where do you think you’re going to see that in 2025? Can’t wait to do it.
That is what’s become so fun about the Show. The new innovative stuff … and the old-school stuff is all under the same roof. Why not see it all and figure out what’s best for your course? There’s no reason to get stuck in a rut.
Well, I have to go to work. I know, I know … not exactly slave labor. I’m not complaining. In fact, I couldn’t enjoy it more.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
TV and Manners and Golf
TV and Manners and Golf
Greetings Golfers,
People keep asking me about Tiger and Rory’s TGL … and Bryson DeChambeau’s YouTube golf show.
Well, confession time: I haven’t seen either one yet. I will watch them eventually—I’m just not sure how often. I genuinely wish them the best. I’m all for golf taking on more of a role in pop culture. Golf is versatile—it can wear many hats. That doesn’t mean I’ll love every hat it tries on. I like food too, but that doesn’t mean I’m up for gas station sushi or whatever it is they’re serving at that “bacon air” restaurant downtown.
Speaking of TV, I have been watching some other shows. Currently, I’m hooked on A Gentleman in Moscow and Land Man. One’s about a Russian royal sentenced to live in a fancy hotel after the 1917 Revolution, and the other is about a wildcat oilman drilling for Texas tea in Midland. So basically, one guy is navigating aristocratic exile, and the other is playing high-stakes poker with dynamite. Light, easy-watching stuff.
Oddly enough, these shows have more in common than you’d think. Both main characters are trapped—one by a revolution and a hotel concierge, the other by the high-octane chaos of oil drilling. They’re also both excellent at one thing: dealing with the messy reality of life.
Here’s the kicker: the Russian royal’s good manners are almost his undoing. The Communists saw politeness as a symbol of oppression, so they decided to do away with it altogether. I guess yelling “Do you want fries with that, comrade?” became the new polite. The problem with abandoning good manners is that it leads to the world of “might makes right.” And nothing says, “We’ve truly evolved as a society” like a playground brawl with nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, our oilman in Texas? Brutal industry, dangerous job, but the guy still treats people with respect—even when he’s knee-deep in crude oil and chaos. That’s what makes the show watchable. It’s not just explosions and drama; it’s about dignity.
Now, let’s circle back to golf. Down here in the South, good manners are the norm. Sure, some people use them as a cover for being phony—like saying “bless your heart” when what they really mean is “you’re as sharp as a bowling ball.” But bad manners? No.
Golf, in its purest form, is a breeding ground for good manners. You’re sharing a course with others. If you’re rude or selfish, it’s impossible to hide. And as for the whole “hyper-quiet on the course” thing? I’ve never been a fan. It’s less about courtesy and more about narcissism.
So yes, I’ll give those new golf shows a shot. Golf’s trying new “menus,” and I’m always open to tasting something different. But just like any restaurant, I’ve got to like the food and the atmosphere. Here’s hoping they nail that vibe of mutual respect—and maybe even sprinkle in a little fun!
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Pause That Refreshes
The Pause That Refreshes
Greetings Golfers,
We got here Sunday night. So of course I played golf on Monday with that usual group of guys. Hadn’t hit a ball in months … had zero expectations … yet played decent on the front. Played worse on the back. Hmmmm. The guru of the group said that my rhythm changed on the back.
So let’s analyze this. Having no expectations … I had a nice rhythmic swing. As I began playing decently - and then having higher expectations - I lost my rhythm and began forcing it … which didn’t work very well.
How do we keep our rhythm? For me, a good drill is to practice swinging with a pause at the top of the backswing. In fact, even coming to a full stop … and from there … finishing the swing.
Hogan used to say that the transition from the backswing to the downswing is the most important part of the golf swing.
You can see the same transition when a quarterback throws the ball. Obviously it’s difficult with monsters try to get you … but you can see it when they’re doing it. If not … they lose that timing and start sailing their throws. Which was on display Monday night against the Lions.
Supposedly, Coca-Cola’s most important advertising campaign was “The Pause That Refreshes” … started in 1929. “It encapsulated the essence of Coca-Cola as a brand. It came at a time when the company was not merely selling soda but a promise of happiness, refreshment, and a brief respite from life’s challenges. This was more than a marketing gimmick; it was a defining moment in brand storytelling”.
Wow. I’d say that about golf: “A promise of happiness, refreshment, and a brief respite from life’s challenges”.
And … we can enjoy that promise if we’re hitting the ball decently.
Coke didn’t know they were talking about golf … but they were.
The Pause That Refreshes.
Ahhhhhhhh.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Good Judgement
Good Judgement
Greetings Golfers,
The other day while listening to a radio show in my car … the “host” reminisced about playing the jukebox when he was in college. He proudly said that he always played a certain song because it was 6 minutes long and that way he got his money’s worth.
Wow.
Talk about quantifying everything. So quality doesn’t matter … all that matters is quantity.
When I used to play songs on a jukebox … I actually chose the songs I liked … and ones that seemed to make sense for the situation. If the length of the song was a factor … it was a tiny factor.
Ok … was quantity a factor in other things during those times. Yeah. I was usually shooting pool and drinking beer. I wasn’t fussy about the beer … I chose quantity. I was in college … I didn’t have any money!
But … music? Never. That represented my soul.
It seems that quantifying too often overrides judgement.
Numbers should be a factor in making decisions … but not the only factor.
However … judgement … puts the decision maker at risk. Obviously not every decision is perfect or even works out. There is always risk involved. And … totally relying on numbers is a safe way to absolve responsibility if things don’t work out.
But if that’s how to run things … why even have decision makers? Sounds to me like robots could do the job.
So … you’re a 150 yards from the pin … and for you that’s a 7 iron. But … what if it’s windy? What if you’re tired? What if the pin is at the front of the green and there’s a sharp drop-off in front of the green? Obviously there are a lot of factors.
Do you only choose a golf ball because it goes far? … but you don’t have any feel with it around the green?
When a certain local business magazine writes about golf … at the end of each article is a list of golf courses with the highest slope numbers. Does that mean those are the best golf courses? That’s the only factor?
Do you like spicy food? Is the spiciest food the best food? What if I poured a whole bottle of spice on it … now is it better?
Doesn’t this deny common-sense?
More is not always better. Sometimes less is more. The art to anything is getting things right.
Oh … maybe the longest song is the best song. How about an hour long song of just annoying noise?
Back to our radio host. I’ve always found him boring. Even annoying. He’s arrogant … though he talks in a moderated radio voice … and tries to act like he’s the reasonable one … and everyone else is not on his correct wavelength. But to me … he’s always been a robot dressed-up in an Ivy League resume and a “smooth” radio voice.
Of course he would choose a long song instead of good one … good judgement involves using your soul.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Greetings Golfers,
Every year, most of us look forward to a new year - a new beginning (some years more than others!).
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 overwhelming … 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. Thus … 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.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com