People Are More Than Numbers
People Are More Than Numbers
Greetings Golfers,
Had some time the other day to tackle a bunch of piles of paperwork.
A crazy mixture of letters, magazine articles, books, catalogs, etc … stuff that just piles up.
Found a note from a local business owner … he signed it: “Your only friend, Bill”.
I hope he isn’t right.
Found a “swing analysis” from 1998 … with numbers under four headings:
Address
Top
Impact
Finish
One sheet was my numbers … and the other sheet was what they “should be”. My Address and Top numbers were not good … however, my Impact and Finish numbers were good. That made the instructor furious. He complained that I was “lucky” … and that if he had my Impact and Finish numbers that he would be a Tour player (because his Address and Top numbers were “perfect").
Read a blog last night about Colonel Parker - the guy who managed Elvis. Here’s how the blogger opens it:
“If you’re going to business school … you’ll learn more in this book than you will in class. Class will teach you the mechanics, the elements of publishing, how to put on a show … you will be taught how to be a worker bee. But all the money is in controlling talent, being on top, and most people do not possess the skills to do so.
How do you manage relationships … I haven’t seen this taught in any course. But that is what Colonel Tom Parker specialized in. Fun used to be a core element of the music business - up until about 20 years ago - then it all became too corporatized, too institutionalized, too bottom line oriented … to its detriment.”
How good was that?
Oh … running it by the numbers doesn’t work? Oh … running your golf swing by the numbers doesn’t work? Really? How about managing a baseball team? My wife and I went to a Twins game a few weeks ago … wasn’t watchable.
How is this happening?
Well … looking through my piles … I found the Business Plan that I built 30 years ago with consultant Dave Watrud. Dave’s plan started with who we wanted to be. Either a/or:
Commodity
Innovative
A commodity is just a basic good. Obviously we need basic stuff … and that’s important. But we wanted to be more than just a basic golf course.
So the business plan for a basic golf course is different from one that wants to be unique.
However, this commodity mindset is taking over everything.
You can’t manage a major league baseball team with a commodity mindset. Well, you can … but I think it’s crazy. These are unique players - the best in the world.
Are you being smart by dumbing everything down?
People are not commodities. I suppose you can look at people that way … but I sure don’t recommend it. Especially managing people.
As I always say, “You can fake a lot of things … but you can’t fake vibe”. And a service industry business needs a good vibe. And you won’t get that if you view human beings as a commodity.
Well … I’ve got to get back to my paperwork … but never at the expense of my relationships.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Finish Your Golf Swing
Finish Your Golf Swing
Greetings Golfers,
Fall is here.
How fast did that go? Hopefully … we’ll still have great weather for golf before you fire-up your snowmobile.
So let’s talk golf swing. The last few weeks, I’ve heard more people complain about their swing than normal. Maybe I should’ve used the word usual instead of normal.
But you get the point … I don’t want to get hung-up on semantics.
Same with the golf swing … I don’t want to get hung-up on little stuff … I want to focus on the point. Which is: can you hit the ball to your target?
I’m not hung-up on the backswing … but I am hung-up on the downswing (forward swing). That’s how you send the ball to your target.
Are there weird backswings that hit good shots? Yes. Does a good backswing determine a good shot? No.
A good drill is to wind-up and stop. From that stopped position … make a forward swing. And make sure that you make a good, full follow-through. And then hold that follow-through.
Also work on your timing. Let’s say that you use 100% energy on your swing. I want you to make practice swings that feel like 40% on the backswing and 60% on the forward swing.
I see a lot of people quit on the forward swing. They used up too much on the backswing. They think they can hit it farther with a big backswing … but that only works if they have a good forward swing. A weak forward swing is not good.
Here’s a tell-tale sign … a weak forward swing usually finishes low-left. Most people need more of a high-right finish.
Another good drill is to make a figure-8 swing. Don’t take the club back inside … take it back outside (like you’re reaching) … then at the top, drop it down inside … and from there swing it out high-right … and then drop it back inside … and then make the same outside backswing. You will have made a figure-8. It will also give you a great feeling of the necessary transition from backswing to forward swing.
Ironically, as the season goes on, a lot of people lose their rhythm. They get longer on the backswing and shorter on the forward swing.
Then they lose their confidence and start worrying about little details of their backswing … and then they can’t even make a decent golf swing.
That’s why a lot of people are better at the beginning of the season. They aren’t over-swinging. And I mean the backswing.
Good players have a good tempo. Easy backswing which accelerates into a good forward swing. Their backswing may not be technically perfect or even not very good … but they drop the club into the “slot” and then accelerate.
Hitting the ball is the point of the golf swing.
A backswing is just a way to make a good forward swing. The forward swing hits the ball.
Like most things … we miss the point. We get hung-up on meaningless details, trying to be perfect. “Perfect is the enemy of the good.” I know it’s an old saying … but it’s one of my favorites … because it’s so true!
Hopefully we have two good months left to play golf. Don’t quit now. And don’t quit on your golf swing.
Make a great finish!
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Half - Staff
Half-Staff
Greetings Golfers,
I’m still in mourning after Wednesday’s shooting.
So … my blog is at half-staff.
Painfully,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Love, Evil, and Robots
Love, Evil, and Robots
Greetings Golfers,
Can’t believe it’s almost Labor Day. And the kids are going back to school.
Our staff is filled with a lot of “kids”. High school and college students. They are leaving every day to go back to school.
Obviously, this is tough for us work-wise … but it’s even tougher emotionally. Seriously. This place is a family. And it kills us when they leave.
I think a lot of the dissension in America is about how business is run. Obviously, businesses have to be successful and pay the bills. And the point of a business should be to provide a needed service or product.
But when businesses get taken over by vampires who couldn’t build a business … all they can do is bleed it and sell it (and fool the unlucky buyer) … working becomes misery.
If a country’s businesses get taken over by these lunatics … the country will die. The businesses will die and all that’s left are the ashes. While these “geniuses” scamper off with the equity that was built-up by the previous owner’s vision, management, and hard work.
Do you think these people care when the kids go back to school? They don’t even want them in the first place. The kids have too much heart and soul. These criminals want to hire lifeless, defeated people who they can mistreat and abuse.
What they really want is a society of robots.
And this mindset is creeping into everything. And they like to call it “modern”. Like a robotic golf swing that can’t hit shots. I mean shaping the shot with your hands. Robots don’t have hands. So … you need to learn to take your hands out of the golf swing … they’re too “unreliable”. Hmmmmm.
So … my hands won’t function under pressure? That’s their speech. Hmmmmmm. I remember as a kid right out of college going out to dinner with my sales manager. My hands couldn’t handle the pressure - I stabbed my eye with my fork trying to eat. I’m kidding. I had no problem using my hands to eat my meal.
This mindset is misguided at best.
Get your hands back into your golf swing. They control the club just like they control a knife and fork.
Another analogy. I pitched in high school. Why? Because I had a really good wind-up? No … I’m kidding again. I could pitch because I could throw … and I could spin the ball with my hands. Gee … that’s rocket-science.
Here’s another one … do I run a successful golf course because I run everything off of spreadsheets? No. I know who our market is … and am constantly trying to improve and provide a better product and service for that market.
Am I wasteful? No. That’s not my nature. I don’t need to waste my time and energy on petty control nonsense. The results are obvious and are the point. Hitting the type of golf shot you want is the point. Can you do it or not? It is definitely not the result of making a robotic swing. I can hit good golf shots off my knees … or standing sideways. Gee … I can control the club with my hands. Gee … I can control a tennis racket with my hands.
If you can’t control a tennis racket or golf club or baseball bat or a hockey stick with your hands … you can’t play.
If you can’t run a business with your brains and your gut … you can’t build it and keep it going.
My goal is that when our kids leave us for the business world … they can be successful because they have a good work ethic based on responsibility and common sense and the ability to solve problems and take calculated risks. Not be robots.
And they can play golf because they have well-trained hands and can hit golf shots.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Happy Gilmore 2
Happy Gilmore 2
Greetings Golfers,
Of course, I have to review Happy Gilmore 2.
I thought it was funny. Really funny. My wife thought it was sort of funny. I get it. It’s Adam Sandler. His movies are goofy, silly, juvenile, etc … but mixed with a kind-heartedness that makes it work.
I think that Adam Sandler is a mix of being genuinely kind - even sweet … and also being angry and capable of violence. At least that seems to be the character he always plays … especially in the movies that he writes.
You definitely wouldn’t choose him to play the role of a polished, high-level executive. His charm is that he’s sort of anti-social … yet friendly to people. He’s the ultimate genuine guy … not at all a phony, pretentious person.
So the original Happy Gilmore movie was basically about a goofball entering the staid, uptight world of golf … shades of the movie Caddyshack.
Yet, in Happy Gilmore 2 … he joins the side of the PGA Tour in a match against the new golf league that wants to undue all of golf’s traditions.
So … Happy is the rebel … but on the side of the traditionalists. It’s kind of genius … this way he can beat the bad guys and help the good guys recover their innate goodness.
Which to me is always the theme of his movies. He’s not the revolutionary out to destroy society … he’s the true adolescent in a grown-up’s body who’s frustrated with the phoniness of the adult world … but doesn’t want it overthrown … just not so uptight.
You can see why Happy Gilmore was so much fun when it came out 30 years ago. Golf has loosened-up a lot since then.
But the movie isn’t just about having fun … it’s another “Rocky” story. Happy turns unhappy. His life falls apart and then rises just like the Phoenix. In fact, that’s another common theme in Sandler’s movies - rising from the ashes. And … that’s when the adolescent turns into a grown-up.
A real life golf “Rocky” story is Ben Hogan. You need to see the movie about his rise from the ashes - Follow the Sun.
Happy Gilmore and Ben Hogan are two different cats. But they both share that drive to overcome adversity that is so inspiring.
And … isn’t that attitude at the heart of golf? Isn’t that why we really love it? The frustration can be overwhelming … but the overcoming is so satisfying!
Well … though Happy Gilmore 2 is silly … it’s lovable, and funny, and satisfying … just like golf.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Time
Time
Greetings Golfers,
Managing time well is one of life’s greatest skills.
I hate wasting time. But I hate being rushed.
I want to be efficient … but I don’t want efficiency to run my life.
I love driving a car … but I hate getting stuck in traffic.
I enjoy a relatively fast round of golf … but I don’t want it to feel like a racetrack.
Though I’m busy - probably too busy … I like being a little early for things.
Do you remember that song “Time” by Pink Floyd:
“Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an off-hand way
And then one day you find that ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.”
That song hit me pretty hard when I was in college. I was just goofing around … not taking much seriously … I thought I was going to live forever.
Most sports have a clock … a time limit … except for golf and baseball. 18 holes or 9 innings.
That feels more like life … we don’t have a preset time for our life. It’s more like playing one hole at a time. Maybe we won’t play 18 holes … but life isn’t a game … our final “score” isn’t really the point.
Years ago … I had a former in-law who announced “He who ends with the most toys … wins!” I thought he was joking … but he was serious. He spent his life - his time … in pursuit of toys/stuff. He had a sad life … actually very sad … though he did end with a lot of toys.
I guess the point goes back to priorities. And everyone has a right to have different priorities.
And I think what we want as we get older changes. When I was young - I wanted everything! Now … I know what I like … and my desires are pretty simple. For me now … less is more.
And I think for a healthy society … it’s important that older people are settled and not on a “bender”.
If everyone is on some mad chase for “more” … society has to be crazy and out of balance … and younger people have no examples of what taking control of life looks like.
It can all be summed-up in a nice round of golf. 18 holes … played at a relaxed pace … swinging with a nice tempo … playing with enjoyable people … at a nice place.
What a great way to spend your time.
Golf always has the answer.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Padraig Harrington
Padraig Harrington
Greetings Golfers,
Last week, Padraig Harrington won the Senior Open - the Senior version of the British Open.
Padraig has been a great player for the past 25 years … but seems to fly under the radar. From 2001 - 2010 … he was usually in the top 10 in the world.
Besides last week’s Senior Open victory … he’s won three Majors … two Opens and a PGA Championship. And played on six Ryder Cup teams and even captained the 2020 team.
Maybe you knew all of this … but I sure didn’t … I knew he was good, but I didn’t he was that good!
The main reason that I’m writing about Padraig is that an old friend just sent a video that Padraig made about the golf swing. Here it is: VIDEO
My friend’s comment to me was: “You’ll LOVE this lesson!”
And I do love it. My ideas about the golf swing are pretty simple: Control the club with your hands to put spin on the spin … and find a natural athletic swing to then use your hands to hit shots. And I think for most people, the swing should be basically a throwing motion.
Obviously not everyone is good at throwing … so they might be better off making more of a mechanical swing. But for people who are comfortable with throwing a ball … building their golf swing around a throwing motion can be a natural and easy way to play golf.
Speaking of natural and easy … sometimes running a golf course is neither one. Lately, I’ve had too much on my plate and haven’t been great at returning emails. I try to respond to everyone who responds to my blogs … and I usually do. But those last two blogs … I’m way behind in responding. I’m not ignoring you … I’ll get back. I enjoy all of the responses … this is not a plea to stop … this is just my way of apologizing for being slow.
Well, today is August the oneth. I can’t believe it. One of the weirdest, rainiest years that I remember. Let’s not waste these days by waiting for perfect weather. The golf season is short … “Waste-not, Want-not”.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
British Television
British Television
Greetings Golfers,
Though television has a lot of channels … there’s not much that I want to watch. Lately, when I need to just zone-out and watch tv … I watch one of 3 shows from the mid-60’s:
The Avengers
The Prisoner
The Saint
They’re all variations on James Bond, and all are British shows. The Avengers and The Saint are pretty hilarious - especially The Avengers. But … The Prisoner is pretty serious.
The star of The Prisoner - Patrick McGoohan - was in an earlier Bond-type show - Danger Man. The world was obsessed with the Cold War and those spy shows were a big deal. Especially the James Bond movies.
I’ve always liked those British shows. And I like the British tv coverage of golf. It actually makes sense. They follow a featured group … and you get a real feel of the course and how it’s playing. They set-up every hole … and they talk about the strategy for the different players. The announcers have normal conversations with each other … and there are natural silences. It’s relaxed, insightful and enjoyable. Basically, the telecast has respect for the audience.
Respect. That was the main theme in The Prisoner. Though he was a Bond guy … he resigned … he believed the bad guys had taken over his government. But he wasn’t sure who it was - was it the Communists? He was kidnapped and put on an island … and called Number 6.
The theme of the show is the conflict between individualism and collectivism. Though these spy shows were about fighting the Cold War … was Communism infiltrating and taking over behind the scenes? Was the Prisoner correct?
One recent television show that I liked was “A Gentleman in Moscow” … I think I wrote about it a few months ago. Here is a quote from the book about the take-over of Communism:
“As best as the Count could determine, the Bolsheviks assembled whenever possible in whichever form for whatever reason. In a single week there might be committees, caucuses, colloquiums, congresses, and conventions variously coming together to establish codes, set courses of action, levy complaints, and generally clamor about the world’s oldest problems in its newest nomenclature.”
This is what we and the Brits were fighting against … this is what the Cold War was all about. Individualism vs. collectivism. Back then, Communist Russia banned golf - it was deemed too individualistic.
For me … The Prisoner still resonates … 60 years later. I love his speech of: “I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered. I am a free man.”
We need shows with that message. And we need better golf coverage. It’s all about respect. We need less people telling us what to do … and talking to us like we’re idiots.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler
Greetings Golfers,
Most of you have probably heard about the Scottie Scheffler interview this week. It’s pretty amazing. I’ll try to summarize it … and then talk about it.
On Tuesday, he opened up about being at the pinnacle of the less glamorous side of the sport, emphasizing that personal fulfillment doesn’t always come with professional success, and highlighting the significance of putting family first over improving his golf game.
Here’s some of what he said, “This is not the most important thing in my life. That’s why I wrestle with it, why is this so important to me? Because I’d much rather be a great father than be a great golfer. At the end of the day, that’s what is more important to me.”
He also said that being able to support his family brings him far greater satisfaction than achieving golf’s highest honors.
Wow.
I think this is so powerful because it’s about someone who really cares more about his own personal values than society’s values.
Obviously, he’s in a position where he has the luxury to say this. And live it. But that shouldn’t nullify what he said.
In fact, last week, some of us were talking about how cool it is that he lives in a normal house in a normal neighborhood and drives a 12 year old truck.
I think a lot of us are pretty disgusted with pop culture and the obsession with wealth and celebrities.
Here’s more of what he said “There are a lot of people who make it to what they thought was going to fulfill them in life, and you get there, you get to No. 1 in the world, and they’re like ‘What’s the point?”
Then he said “If I win … it’s going to be awesome for two minutes … then we’re going to the next week.”
He sees winning as a reward - frosting on the cake. He loves doing the work to get there: “I’m kind of sicko. I love putting in the work. I love getting to practice. I love getting to live out my dreams. But at the end of the day, sometimes I just don’t understand the point.”
I think he does understand the point. He understands that life is about priorities. What screws people up is the saying “You can have it all.”
Then people don’t establish priorities … they don’t figure out what matters. If you think life is about “Having it all” … you’ll be frustrated all the time.
Life is about choosing. This or that. Now or later. Sacrificing while working for a goal.
I think that our society is constantly sending a message that the goal of life is to get to a place where you can do whatever you want … with no responsibility for your actions.
Think about that for a while.
Well … Scottie Scheffler doesn’t want that. He wants to be a responsible guy. He doesn’t want to get caught up in the glamour and screw-up what really matters to him.
We need heroes. And we need heroes like him.
Thanks Scottie.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Right Elbow is the Secret
The Right Elbow is the Secret
Greeting Golfers,
Let’s talk golf swing.
You know that I’m a big believer in training your hands. The hands control the golf club. The hands control the hockey stick. And the tennis racket. And the ball that you’re throwing. A pitcher needs to control the accuracy and spin of the baseball.
However, the hands have to be in the correct position to do its work.
A million years ago … I went to Mickey Owens Baseball Camp in Branson, MO … when Branson was just a little town in the Ozarks. I learned a lot … but the best thing I learned was how to throw a curveball.
The secret was to lead with my elbow as long as I could, and then the wrists snapped naturally and powerfully. It wasn’t about trying to snap my wrists … it was about delaying the snap until it exploded.
Golf wrist action is similar. On your downswing … lead with your right elbow into the ball. Look at what a good position that puts you in before impact.
Now do the opposite. Lift or turn your elbow away as you move into the ball. You will lead with your right shoulder instead of your right elbow. Feel how weak that is. There is no chance for solid impact.
Try this on chipping. Lead with your right elbow. See how good impact is?
But … leading that much with your right elbow keeps the club face open. So … set-up with a closed club face. And with your hands in front of the ball. This is how you “trap it”.
This “trapped” shot is a great shot … even on a full shot … and a great way to get the proper feel of impact.
Lots of people set-up with a closed club face because they’re worried about slicing. But they slice because they flip their hands at the ball. That why so much instruction is about taking the hands out of the swing. But that doesn’t solve the problem.
Good hand action is vital in golf. But the secret is to get the hands in the proper position. And leading the downswing is what gets the hands in the proper position.
Make a football throwing motion. See how you have to lead with your elbow? It’s the same move in the golf swing.
Don’t be afraid to close the club face in your set-up. You won’t hit it left if you lead with your right elbow.
Leading with the right elbow is the secret to many ball and stick games.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Independence Day
Greeting Golfers,
Two hundred and forty nine years ago - July 4, 1775 - the unanimous Declaration of the 13 united States of America:
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume upon the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these Rights, governments are instituted by the consent of the governed.
Of course, there’s more to the Declaration of Independence … but right there is where they threw down the gauntlet.
An amazing achievement. The first country based on individual liberty.
But can we keep it? Benjamin Franklin said “If you can keep it.”
Why is freedom so hard to keep? Because there are power freaks out there. Control freaks. Very often disguised as “caring” … or doing the right thing for the people (people as a group - not as individuals).
You see it everywhere. I don’t mean just in government … I’m also talking businesses and other organizations.
One of the beauties of being free, is the opportunity to create things to build things. And hopefully the goal is to build good things that last.
However, power freaks come in and only care about control … not about building something (especially for the long-term). Whether it’s a business or a government … it’s the same game - how can I run this for me.
Here’s an example. There’s a lot of talk amongst PGA of America members about what is happening to our organization. Originally, the staff of the PGA was hired to help the members of the PGA. However, as time has gone on, it appears that the staff of the PGA is running the PGA for the desires of the staff … not for what is in the best interests of the members.
You see this also happen with business Boards … the Board starts seeing the business as their toy to use and abuse.
The same attitude that the British government had towards its people.
Was the British government interested in building a better Britain for its people? No. In their mind … the British people existed for their use.
A society based on laws was intended to protect the rights of its citizens. Over time, the law has been weaponized for use by power freaks. These people can’t deal with neighbors or other people in a normal decent way … they sic lawyers on people to abuse and get their way.
Our Founding Fathers had the guts and fortitude to stand-up to these freaks. For the United States of America to continue to be free … we need to be free from these freaks … they need to be stood-up to.
Ironically, when I went to high school we were the Warriors … they changed the name to the Royals.
How crazy is that? Our Founding Fathers were warriors … fighting for their freedom from the royals.
These self-appointed Royals need to be stood-up to. We need to be Warriors.
Today in celebration of what the Declaration of Independence is about … remember that it’s about being a Warrior for Liberty.
Cheers!
Heart of a Lion
Greetings Golfers,
Last week a good buddy of mine died - Don Ellwood. And 8 years ago - almost to the date - I wrote this blog about him:
Heart of a Lion
Golf can be very frustrating. Life can be very frustrating. Some people deal with these frustrations with grace. I used to think their graciousness was the result of being relaxed and easy going. Now, I think it comes from having the heart of a lion.
Yesterday, Don Ellwood, playing in our Thursday Men’s League, made a Hole-in-One. Though only in his 50’s … Don’s body has been breaking down for at least 10 years. In fact, I can’t believe he can play golf. Is Don one of those relaxed, easy going guys? No. Is he cheerful, and kind, and warm spirited? Yes.
After Don made his Ace on hole #2 … the word spread like wildfire across the golf course and clubhouse. I figured that he’d come in after 9 holes and celebrate his amazing achievement. He was tired – really tired. But, he was determined to finish his round. Which he did. All 18 holes.
The story gets better. He shot 89. I can’t tell you how amazing that score is. That score was the result of having the heart of a lion. Most of us would have quit after 9. Heck, most of us in Don’s condition wouldn’t have even played.
The heart of a lion doesn’t show itself in pointless displays of roaring. It tackles life’s challenges with grace and class.
Cheers to Don Ellwood,
R.I.P.
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Empathy or Narcissism
Empathy or Narcissism
Greetings Golfers,
Last week I played golf with 2 old friends … the Pro Shop tossed a single in with us. Young guy … looked athletic … wondered what he thought meeting us.
So he threw his clubs on with me and started down the Yellow Brick Road. And the whole round was Oz - magical … and yet the vibe was Kansas - real.
Well, the young fella had the round of his life - score wise. He also said it was the most enjoyable round of his life. Amazing how that can go hand-in-hand.
People thrive in an atmosphere of support … not an atmosphere of criticism.
Empaths support … narcissists criticize. That’s because narcissists only see life as a power play… they don’t understand or respect empathy.
Narcissists love to tell people what to do. And if you get angry or annoyed … you’re the bad guy.
Hope you’re in the mood for some stories about recent dealings with narcissists:
Had a guy scold one of our staff about how to answer the phone. And this staff member is amazingly charming in person or on the phone. But charming or not - how is that guy’s role to scold?
Had a cart kid try to lecture me on his rights at DRGC. Basically, that this was his country club and could do whatever he pleased. He didn’t say that … but his attitude and statements did.
Had a guy complain that the Range was closed 2 days in a row due to events. And, that was interfering with his golf lessons. PGA Pros have their own turf … and must bless other Pros giving lessons on their turf.
Had a neighbor complain because the range was closed. Even though it was so wet that the balls plugged.
In every single one of these situations … they were rude and demanding … yet when I defended our staff and operation … I was the bad guy.
Bottom line - narcissists want what they want. If they can’t have it … they get rude, angry and bossy.
The bossy thing probably drives me the craziest.
The childish need for always getting what they want … is not attractive … but the bossy thing is way worse. The arrogance behind it is mind-boggling.
So let’s talk about empaths. “Empaths are highly attuned to emotions of others, both subtle and overt.”
I think that our staff is mostly made-up with empaths. You can feel it. People care. Doesn’t mean they’re “heavy” … you can feel deeply and still be “light”. And I like to think that’s pretty descriptive of our staff.
So back to narcissists. They only feel when it comes to their feelings. So they only see things through a power-lens. Thus, they can’t understand an empath. They usually mistake the empath’s kindness for weakness. And they live for seeing the empath do something wrong … they can’t stand the thought that something might matter more than power.
Over 50 years ago at a Marshall Tucker concert in Arizona … (while in the “enlightened” mood of the concert) … my buddy stood-up and declared that the band was just a pawn and that life is all about power. I stood-up and declared that life is all about love.
He crashed to his knees. He knew I was right.
Empaths have screwed-up by allowing or even rewarding narcissistic behavior. That’s misguided kindness.
That empathetic emotional energy can be harnessed and used to
stand-up to narcissists.
Kindness doesn’t mean weakness. Narcissists - take cover!
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Understanding Swings in All Sports
Understanding Swings in All Sports
Greetings Golfers,
People are always telling me that their baseball swing or tennis swing screws-up their golf swing.
I always disagree and try to explain why I believe that all stick-and-ball sports are basically the same. Even ping-pong.
So let’s start with ping-pong. Golf is hard because you have a small paddle and a long handle. But you control the ball basically the same way.
If you’re hitting a topspin shot in ping-pong … it’s basically the same as hitting a draw/hook in golf. The paddle rolls over the ball to put the swing on it.
Ok … same with a drop-shot in ping-pong or a cut/slice in golf. The paddle slides under the ball to put backspin on it.
And … a straight shot in ping-pong is not either one. Just the paddle held through the shot with the wrist held back … not flipping the battle. That’s best way to hit a golf chip-shot … most people flip their wrists.
So … you can see how this easily translates to tennis. The tennis racket is just a bigger ping-pong paddle. People get too obsessed with body motion in tennis. They never learn to control the ball. That’s why people take tennis and then quit after 3 years. They never learn how to hit the ball. They worry about everything else.
Remember when tennis boomed and there were courts all over the Metro? Now you know why they closed. I’ve always worried about that with golf. Both games look easy - but are hard. Hard because you have to learn how the control the ball. But people never understand this and never work on it. The hands need to be trained. No way around it.
Same with baseball. The bat is a long, skinny paddle that has to hit a fast moving ball … that can curve and move around. That takes serious bat control.
My hero - Ted Williams - wrote a book in 1970 called the “Science of Hitting”. Ted believed in a slight upswing with the bat and then full extension. You need the hips to start the swing so that you can extend the bat. Try it right now. You want that same feeling in the golf swing.
In both swings … if you start the swing before your hips … that means your shoulders started it and you can’t extend … you can only come around and swing left. That can have power … but only to the left. I knew high school baseball players who could only hit-it hard foul - foul left of the field. I know golfers who can hit-it hard … but only hard left - usually left of the fairway. Sometimes they leave open the face and the ball slices back into the fairway. Same with baseball. Most people in both sports never learn how to draw the ball. They all slice it. Watch a Little League game or even high school baseball … you won’t see a draw.
Baseball got into some weird ideas about swinging the bat. The opposite of Ted Williams’ ideas - though Ted was the last .400 hitter.
I worked a little bit last week with a family friend who played a little for the Yankees. Obviously a very talented guy. But he hit down on every shot - even with his driver. And he had no rotation of his hands. I teed-up the ball high … and tried to get him to swing UP on the ball as he rotated his hands/wrists … to get the feeling of a topspin ping-pong shot … or a high draw golf shot.
I don’t know if this is true (I hope not) … but I heard that a few years ago the Twins were practicing to hit the ball high … by hitting DOWN on a batting tee. That would be like teeing up a ball and hitting down with your driver to hit it high. We’ve all hit those gross pop-ups with our driver … not fun … but would you practice that?
Many years ago when Wade Boggs and Don Mattingly looked like they had a chance to hit .400 … they were interviewed in Sports Illustrated by Ted Williams. Ted asked them questions like “If you’re hitting pop-ups to first-base … what’s happening?” They had no idea. The answer is - you’re too late with your swing. If you’re hitting grounders to third - you’re too early. If you’re hitting liners off the left-field wall - you’re perfect.
How does that translate to tennis? If you’re hitting topspins into the bottom of the net - you’re too early. How does that translate to golf? If you’re hitting big hooks - you’re too early. And a slice is too late - if even any rotation at all. If you’re hitting topspins into the back-middle of the court - you’re perfect. If you’re hitting draws into the left-middle of the fairway - you’re perfect.
In all these ball-stick games … you need to understand spin. And you need to train your hands to apply spin.
These games are all basically the same. Start small. Practice these shots on the chipping green. Full shots are just longer version of chip-shots.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Heart Full of Soul
Heart Full of Soul
Greetings Golfers,
Remember that great Yardbirds song “Heart Full of Soul?” How good were the Yardbirds with Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Jeff Beck? In the ’60’s that’d be like your scramble team having Nicklaus, Palmer, and Player on it … not fair.
And maybe the Yardbirds got even better in the ’70’s – breaking up into Led Zeppelin, Cream, and The Jeff Beck Group.
What does this have to do with golf? Music is like golf in many ways. They both make you happy – they both can make you cry. I could go on making analogies forever. But golf and music … (let me try again) … but good golf and good music have soul.
Soul. People don’t talk about golf and soul in the same sentence nearly enough. For many years I’ve been obsessed with trying to make golf fun and entertaining. That’s not wrong – golf is both. But it’s more than that. Golf grabs you like great music grabs you. That’s more than fun. It’s even better. It’s magic.
Ever read Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy? It’s about Murphy meeting a Celtic shaman at St. Andrews in Scotland. This shaman – Shivas Irons – is about as much of a trip as Jim Morrison of the Doors. Morrison proclaimed himself to be a shaman – and the Doors music was Morrison’s attempt to “Break on Through to the Other Side.” Shivas Irons tries to show Murphy how to “break on through” using golf as the vehicle.
These are soulful Celtic artists. They’re trying to bring the magic and mystery of life to us. They are trying to reach inside and grab our souls. Golf can do this, too, but sometimes the industry just doesn’t get it.
I just read an article by a golf course reviewer complaining about how he hates courses that feel like they’re only interested in taking his money. I don’t like that either. In fact, I don’t like that about anything. Obviously, money is needed to pay the bills – but money shouldn’t drive the train – money should be the result of things done right and for the right reason.
We all know music that was inspired from the heart, and music that was written to fill up the album. I’d rather they had fewer songs on the album than fill it up with soulless noise.
I’m not trying to say that every song has to be “heavy” – not at all – I love light, fun songs. But they have to be inspired from the heart – not the wallet … we can tell the difference.
We can tell the difference with golf courses, too. Fake is not good. Fake smiles, muzak, dyed fairways, holes that are unnatural to the terrain, or courses that are trying to be championship when they aren’t.
A friend just sent me an email asking where to play in Arizona. One of the courses I recommended is Shalimar in Tempe. Shalimar is a goofy 9 hole course with a great little clubhouse and a great vibe – people love to play there, and people love to work there. I’m not going to mention some of the semi-famous places in the Valley of the Sun that I don’t like – but I’m sure you can take a guess.
You know when a golf course has soul. Could be a funny par 3 like Shalimar, an old school country club, a mom & pop owned public course, a famous resort course … they’re everywhere. They’re usually a labor of love and the people working there are really into it. They’re motivated out of love and respect – not out of fear. They want you to love the place the way they do. To feel it deep in a soulful way.
It’s hard to create a soulful place when owners view their staff as the enemy. I’m on an email thread with the Golf Course Owners Association. A few weeks ago, an owner went off on a tangent about how his employees were taking advantage of him. Wow – the emails started pouring in from other owners with the same attitude. They viewed employee “perks” as taking advantage. I replied that staff deserve perks and that perks are the grease that keeps the gears of the operation turning and keep people feeling happy … something that golfers can feel. My reply was greeted with a cold stare – no response. A little while later the thread heated up with more “abuses” by their enemy – the golf staff.
I’m sympathetic to golf course owners – but seeing the staff as the enemy is about as smart as seeing the customer as the enemy. Probably not very soulful golf courses.
All golf organizations need to keep soul in mind when making decisions and talking about their vision. I admire the USGA’s attempts to keep golf fair. But the Rules of Golf and the GHIN Handicap system have become too complicated/intricate/myopic … they’ve lost the spirit of the game.
Too often the PGA Tour seems too much about money. Thank God for the Majors – sure they’re big dough – but they’re about the golf.
The PGA of America has been trying to grow the game and have come up with an initiative called Golf 2.0. It’s mostly about making golf more fun and entertaining – I’m all for it. But … don’t forget soul. Maybe even do some marketing with Jimmy Page playing a mandolin in front of his old, magical English estate. Maybe have “Heart Full of Soul” become the theme song of the PGA. But more than market about golf and soul – make sure that golf has a heart full of soul.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Perspective is Priorities
Perspective is Priorities
Greetings Golfers,
A few weeks ago, a local Pro was telling me that he gets too wound-up in big golf tournaments. I get it. You get it it … we all get it. What’s the secret to not losing your mind under pressure?
Here’s what I told him: “It’s good to be excited and nervous - that will make you sharper than usual. However, too wound-up is like shorting out something you plugged-in … it got too much energy. And, too much energy comes from NEEDING it. It’s good to WANT it … but you can’t NEED it.”
He agreed and instantly knew what I meant. I think the problem is a lack of establishing priorities. If winning a golf tournament is the most important thing in your life … it’s just too much pressure … you will freak-out. The problem is a lack of perspective … which I believe is a lack of priorities.
If I had to point to one thing that is wrong with our modern society … I would say that it’s a lack of priorities. I’m constantly hearing the message that “you can have it all.” Well, that’s ridiculous. Our lifetime is limited … we don’t live forever. We don’t have time like Bill Murray did in the movie “Groundhog’s Day” to master languages and art and music and sport and everything else. What I loved about “Groundhog’s Day” was that Bill Murray finally realized what matters … he finally had priorities … he wasn’t just a selfish, greedy guy trying to “have it all” … but became a guy who wanted to have a meaningful life with meaningful relationships.
I think of symptom of that “have it all” philosophy leads to people always being in a hurry because they don’t have things prioritized. I play golf Down South every Monday with a group of about 12 guys. In that group are some guys who play golf like it’s a race … and they’re always mad at the other for not playing in 2 1/2 hours. The other guys are not slow … they’re always under 4 hours. So the racers finish fast and hang around the clubhouse to settle the games. But they’re bored and not having fun. They’re retired and have nowhere to go anyway - what’s the rush? Well, they don’t even know … they just live like that. And people like that are always late for things. You’d think it’d be the opposite - but it’s not. They time things too close “to do it all”… but of course they screw-up by being late for an important meeting or miss their airplane flight … while they stop for donuts on the way.
You see it in everything. There used to be a saying called “a lazy man’s load” … that meant when moving things, they would carry too many things rather than take another trip. So by carrying too many things … they end-up dropping and breaking things. They didn’t prioritize. I think most modern people would try to do this … and be proud of it.
Golf is very much a game of priorities. Many years ago I played with one of my son’s college friends in Arizona. He hit the ball as solid as a Tour player. We played at Gainey Ranch and he shot 81. I hit about 3 solid shots and shot 73. He couldn’t understand what happened. I tried to explain course management to him after the round. I remembered his round better than he did … he had no strategy … he just went for the perfect shot every time. No wonder he didn’t remember - he never thought about his shots - there was no decision making.
Maybe having priorities and making plans is too old-fashioned. Maybe it’s not “free” enough to “do your own thing”. But are you really free when you’re not planning and making decisions based on priorities … instead of just reacting?
Let’s go back to the Pro freaking out under pressure … and needing it instead of just wanting it. The calmest people are not the people who don’t care about anything … apathy doesn’t lead to peace of mind. Disorganization leads to anxiety - not to peace. Simplification is a result of prioritization.
Golf is the perfect antidote to the modern madness. But of course, the modern “gurus” trying to save golf are emphasizing how golf should be more like the modern world. That’s just dumb. The beauty of golf is that it’s timeless.
Of course people need to get their priorities straight … but first they have to prioritize. That goes against the modern idea of “having it all”. Happiness and peace come from knowing what you need … not from needing everything.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Momentum
MOMENTUM
Greetings Golfers,
The other night, I was at a restaurant waiting for some friends. I was early, so I had a chance to watch the “action” … it was just like watching a sporting event … seriously.
This was a very nice place, so people weren’t very relaxed. They were trying hard. I never heard any laughter - that says a lot.
I was trying to figure-out why the people were with each other. The body language and eye contact was fascinating. And each table seemed to have a shift in momentum where people either got into it … or turned off … something said or done always turned the tide.
Sort of like watching the Timberwolves the other night. They were leading in the 3rd quarter … and then OKC missed a lay-up but got a weird rebound and then made the shot to go up by 4.
I then told my wife that the game was over. The vibe shifted dramatically on that play … you could feel it … the crowd could feel it. The momentum had definitely changed. Should the Wolves’ coach have called time-out? Probably. And I think he should have made a joke. Instead, you could see the Wolves go into panic mode. Is it easy for an arm-chair coach like me to say that? Of course. It’s different on the floor.
Knowing when to call time-out … or what calls to challenge is not obvious. Too often you can win the battle but lose the war … especially if you flip the momentum when it’s yours.
A million years ago, when I was in high school … our baseball team was playing the first round of the playoffs. We were seeded #1 and playing the last seed. They weren’t bad talent-wise … but something was really wrong with their culture … no one seemed to care.
Well, we were up 6-0 in the 5th inning (7 inning games) … and they weren’t even trying. Well, yours-truly was on third … and our head coach was coaching third. He kept yelling at me to take a longer lead. So … the pitcher made the worst balk you’ve ever seen … laughable … I didn’t even try to get back and was half-heartedly tagged out. Instead of the ump awarding me home … I was called out. My coach went crazy! He ordered me to stay on the bag (third base) … while he went on a full-blown rampage. Standing on third … I had a straight view of our bench on first … and their bench on third. With the sun setting behind our bench … I watched our guys get depressed watching this scene. And … I watched their guys all of a sudden wake-up. Of course the ump didn’t change his mind and I went back to our bench. The vibe had changed.
The next inning … everything went their way. I don’t think they hit anything solid … but every hit fell in … it was like we were cursed.
We lost, and our season was over.
It can happen in business too. Over the years, I’ve felt weird things happen that tipped me off to threats and changes in momentum. They had to be addressed immediately. I needed to call time-out.
Also … dumb things have happened that I’ve let go because they weren’t worth wrecking our momentum … we were on a roll … we were
winning. Making a big deal out of it would probably have led to an unnecessary shift in momentum.
There’s an old saying “Let sleeping dogs lie” that is very true. However, you can’t mistake those sleeping dogs for wolves that ready to pounce.
Is this a science? No. This is a feel. But a necessary feel for a leader or a coach.
Can the Wolves win this series? Maybe … but they need to manage the momentum shifts like Scottie Scheffler did last week in the PGA Championship.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Clarity
CLARITY
Greetings Golfers,
Don’t you love clarity? It’s great to read or hear someone who makes sense. Or go to a restaurant that makes sense. Simple doesn’t mean simpleminded. And confusing doesn’t represent some deep mystery … it usually represents confusion.
The other night, I was reading about beer marketing - especially in the 1980s and 90s. Miller hit a home run with light beer. Light beer soon became half of all beer sales … and Miller Lite was the star.
But, Miller High Life started slipping … and Miller started panicking. In their panic … they lost their vision of Miller Lite and Miller High Life.
Around that same time … Coca-Cola was losing ground to Pepsi. So they decided to make Coke sweeter - more like a Pepsi. Boom! They crashed and had to recover by bringing back the normal Coke and calling it “Coke Classic”.
Marketing - especially Branding - should be about clarity. Who are you? That saying “All publicity is good publicity” … is ridiculous. Could it be any stupider?
Your image and reputation need to be good … and need to be true. People can usually see through BS.
Marketing can’t always be about a deal … or then you’re not of real value. And marketing has to know its market … you can’t be everything to everyone. I think you have to be special. I don’t mean that in an arrogant way … I mean it more uniquely.
Miller beer has to be different from Budweiser. Coke has to be different from Pepsi. Making choices is the gift of a free society. We need different things to express our individuality. Otherwise, we’re just slaves and robots.
Businesses need to understand that. Too often, they get obsessed with growth instead of getting better and really nailing their market.
They lose clarity.
You can see it in their marketing … and it reflects their confusion as to who they are.
Marketing is not a silly game or a scam. It’s a definition of who you are.
Years ago at a Board meeting … a guy couldn’t understand our marketing expense because we were full. My response was, “Don’t you think there’s a correlation between the two?”
A business needs to constantly look in the mirror and know who they are. And why? And is it working? And … are we making it clear to our customer who we are?
Well … that takes a lot of introspection and understanding. The numbers are just a reflection of if you know what you’re doing.
So that famous saying “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!”
How about “Clarity, clarity, my kingdom for clarity!”
Or “To be clear or not to be clear … that is the question.”
Same thing. Give me clarity.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
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