Not Everyone Has A Price
Greetings Golfers,
How about Michael Block’s week at the PGA Championship?
A PGA club Pro - a 47 year old club Pro - makes the cut … then is on the leaderboard after the 3rd round … and then makes an Ace while playing with Rory McIlroy during the final round of a major championship.
How can that be true? But it is … and that’s why we love tournament golf. It’s not fixed. It’s real. And it’s good - really good.
I get asked about the LIV Tour all the time. I’ve written about it … I don’t like it … I think it’s dirty money … and I don’t like the cheesy format. It’s just throwing money at guys to make it look like it’s a real tour. It’s just a series of exhibitions. Who cares? It’s like P.T. Barnum came back and decided to start a golf tour.
Am I against competition? Not at all. In fact I think the PGA Tour could use some real competition. About the only golf tournaments that interest me are the Majors.
Why? Because the Majors are special. Special because they feel like they’re played for honor - not for money.
Do you care about the FedEx Cup? I don’t. But I can see why the players care - it’s a ton of dough - good for them … but I don’t care.
So who’s calling the shots? Obviously it’s the sponsors.
What if the Masters became … the Cadillac Masters? How cheesy would that be? The Masters controls their sponsors - not the other way around.
I wish the PGA Tour had enough confidence in its product that sponsors felt fortunate to sponsor - to be a part of something really good.
Here’s another example - the Burger King US Open … how awful would that be?
That’s the LIV Tour in a nutshell.
Don’t think that I’m anti-marketing … marketing is really important - it better accurately represents the business … make clear who they are.
If your business is a basic commodity … then you’re just basically selling price. Your marketing will be mostly about price and convenience - not why you’re special.
But if you’re special, that’s what your marketing should be about. Otherwise you look desperate.
The PGA Tour looks desperate when they let businesses tell them what to do.
All non-commodity businesses need to be special … otherwise - what’s the point?
News is a business … though we like to think that journalism is about reporting the truth. Learning that newspapers and television news stations are puppets of their advertisers is depressing.
You’d hope that any business that needs sponsors and advertisers would keep their integrity and focus on being so good that they could pick and choose sponsors and advertisers.
I’m glad that golf’s Majors have stuck to their guns. And wish other sports and other businesses would too.
The Michael Block story is so appealing because it’s real - it’s not part of an agenda. It was about a club Pro beating most of the best players in the world in a major championship. And sharing the joy of a Hole-in-One with Rory McIlroy. Good as it gets.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Hospitality
Greetings Golfers,
Was watching a video the other day about long-lived cultures on the planet. One of the places was Ikaria, Greece where the people live for hundreds of years. I’m exaggerating … but many live to be a 100+.
So the talk was about the weather and what they eat, etc … all the typical categories. But, one of the residents exclaimed that those weren’t the reasons why they live so long. He said it was because “ Every family sets an extra chair at the table so that they are ready to welcome a guest.”
Wow. How good is that? Talk about hospitality.
These are not rich people. Many are poor. But … they want to live a life of hospitality. Not tit-for-tat … genuine hospitality.
I found this in “5 Ways to Show Hospitality”
1.) Invite someone over for a meal
2.) Give a hug to people you know
3.) Take a meal to someone in need
4.) Ask someone about their day and really listen
5.) Buy the drink for the person behind you
Obviously this could be a longer list. Basically it’s about giving - food or time or concern or a drink!
A one-way street of taking ain’t pretty. But forced giving or forced hospitality doesn’t mean much. We all know when it’s genuine.
Here’s a cool quote that I just read, “Though societies can not attain perfection, they can still provide the good life if not driven by the predatory motives of efficiency and control.”
Driven by. That’s the key. Nothing wrong with efficiency and some control … but not if those are a society’s driving forces. Otherwise, it’s just a master-slave society.
I recently read that we Americans eat 1/3 of our meals in the car. What????
In my lifetime, I’ve seen the pace of life get pretty ramped-up. I wish that I could wave a magic wand and slow it all down.
Well, I can’t do that … but I can talk about the joy of playing golf. It can be a needed break from the madness. I don’t mean a slow round of golf … I mean a comfortable 4 hour round followed by a drink or two. And leaving an extra seat at the table for someone new to share your hospitality.
Golf is the key to longevity.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
A Question of Balance
Greetings Golfers,
This statement by the Farm Equipment Association of Minnesota and South Dakota is a great reminder of reality:
“Despite All Our Accomplishments
We Owe Our Existence To
A Six-Inch Layer Of Topsoil
And The Fact It Rains”
It’s true … and most of us take it for granted. In fact, I think we even take the concept of healthy soil for granted.
You won’t have a healthy garden unless you have healthy soil. You can’t fix the flowers with plastic surgery. Probably applies to humans too.
We get too caught up in fixing things on a surface level instead of getting at the root of things.
You can definitely see it at a golf course. The soil needs to be fed and cultivated. If it’s ignored for very long … you’ll have a dead golf course.
Same with the culture of a golf course. If it’s not fed and watered … the flowers die and the weeds take over.
Obviously this pertains to countries. Most countries were agricultural before the industrial revolution.
My speech is that we need both - agriculture and industry. Small towns and cities.
On the golf course, we use chemicals - not everything is natural. And yesterday, we just repaved the circle cart-path on the #2 tee box. Some people walk - some use golf carts.
I just read something that said rural people are most concerned about liberty … and that city people are most concerned about equality.
They’re both valid concerns. The agricultural mindset would probably be more conservative - trying to conserve the earth. The city mindset would probably be more progressive - trying to invent new products with industry and technology.
Again … we need both. We can’t get stuck in the past … and we can’t poison the soil. We need a balance.
I would like to see a PGA Tournament where they use wooden woods and blade irons and balata balls. But I also appreciate the modern equipment.
You hear everyday about how divided our society is. I think the divide is fundamentally on this line. Of course manipulators have confused the issues and thus have created more lines. But I think it basically comes back to this.
Remember that Joni Mitchell song “Pave Paradise and Put-up a Parking Lot”?
Well, the past wasn’t Utopia … but the race to Utopia is also not living in reality.
And, like most things … we need clarity …and living reality … and balance.
We can’t race ahead to Utopia without poisoning the world. And we can’t put on the brakes and live in the past.
We need to keep finding balance. And what better way to do it than on and at a golf course.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Power
Greetings Golfers,
I just finished making a spin around the course as a Ranger. The golf course was good - more lush than normal at this time of year - which is a good thing … that means the grass is healthy.
But that lushness also means that the fairways are not hard and dried-out … the ball is not rolling very far. For some of us … that lack of roll is not a good thing … we need more distance. While rangering … I told some guys that it’s not them, but that the course gets longer every year. Well, it sure plays longer when it’s lush.
Most golfers are in a search for power. It’d be fun to hit it so far that lush fairways wouldn’t matter. But, power needs to be in control. As Percy Boomer says in “On Learning Golf” - “Power, like fire, is a good servant but a bad master. Uncontrolled power is the very devil - in golf or anywhere else.”
Speaking of power out of control … have you been watching “Succession”? It’s a show about the kids wanting to succeed their father … supposedly loosely based on the Rupert Murdoch family. They can’t handle much - especially power. We all know the Lord Acton saying “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
However, I’d argue with that saying. My saying would be “Power tends to reveal, and absolute power reveals absolutely.” Reveals what? Reveals character - it reveals who someone really is.
These kids on “Succession” are beyond annoying. Once they get power … they’re petty and foolish and short-sighted and ruthless. It ain’t pretty.
In a recent episode, the father said: “I love you all - but you’re not serious people.” True. They live in la-la-land … and try to act like they’re smart by speaking a language of idiotic hip terminology and “clever” remarks. It’s mind-boggling and embarrassing.
Have you ever played golf with people who use what they think is “cool” golf terminology? It’s also mind-boggling and embarrassing. It’s not straight-forward … it’s using language not to be clear, but to use it as a childish way to act like they’re a member of a secret-society. They want to make you feel like they know more about golf than you do. Charming.
Once-upon-a-time there was an Asst. Pro who came back from a golf school and adopted that “clever” golf speak. It wasn’t likable. He tried to use it as a form of power - just like the goofballs on “Succession”. As you would expect - he was enamored with power in golf. He could hit it really far - but it was not in control. Percy Boomer knew what he was talking about.
Power - like money - is a tool. And it can be a valuable tool if used properly. But it’s not something to be worshiped. It’s about getting the right conceptions.
Here’s Percy again: “We cannot lay too much stress upon this matter of getting the right conceptions. It is surprising what you can get people to do once they clearly understand what it is that has to be done. To reverse this, I contend that many of us are playing bad golf not because we are incapable of playing good golf, but simply because we are thinking of golf in the wrong way.
I have known cases of such players who improved their swings and games without intending to, simply because they came across and adopted a better conception of the swing. The truth is, of course, that just as we appreciate good manners we will become good mannered in spite of ourselves; so also, if we appreciate the true ethics of the golf strokes, we will become good golfers.
Why do I use the word ‘ethics’? Well, because golf is a matter of ethics, that is (according to my dictionary) ‘relating to manners or morals’. To prove this, cast your eye around the club room. The chances are you will find the most modest man in the club is also the best player and that he is out in the caddie shed. I have never known a great golfer who was not modest, and that goes for Walter Hagen, who in spite of his showmanship was a charmingly modest fellow and a great gentleman.”
Wow - how good was that? I first read Percy’s book in college - I didn’t know what he was talking about … not just the golf swing - but life. And, he’s very clear - he’s not a conman. But his clarity and sanity were not normal back then. Probably even less so now.
I think people have gotten less clear. That somehow clarity is seen as narrow-minded. But as Percy said, the best people are humble … and clear. The worst are like those “Succession” kids - arrogant and vague … they speak nonsense as a form of a creepy power play.
Golf is about clarity. Keep it simple and good. Power is just a tool. The game is still - hit it, find it, deal with it. It’s not a long-drive contest. Life is not a long-drive contest. It’s how you play the game that counts.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
We’re Open!
Greetings Golfers,
We're open - seriously!
We kept getting faked-out … I wasn’t sure it’d happen before Memorial Day.
But … all is well … all is forgiven. When we’re up and running and people are here … all the frustration goes away. It’s just so good to see people happy and playing golf - especially at the same time!
In the past week a former golf radio personality, and a major MN golf promoter/operator, and a legendary MN sportswriter all wanted to talk golf - especially the current state of golf. Something has happened. Golf is booming. This isn’t the “Tiger Boom” of the late 90s … this is much different.
Golf has a very different feeling of being accessible … of being authentic … of being fun … of being a natural part of life. I feel that people really want to play golf for the joy of the game. Not just to win. Or to be cool. But they love to play golf.
Sure, there were always people who felt this way … but that wasn’t a big number or normal. But now it is. I don’t think the golf industry has a clue - things have really changed.
I predict that in the next 5 years that the golf industry will really change. And I don’t mean in gimmicky goofy ways for people to make a quick buck. I mean that golf courses and manufacturers and organizations will change. Because people want to play golf. They don’t need to be manipulated to play. They will gravitate to whoever gets it.
Am I overreacting to the thrill of opening? No. It feels different at the golf course … and the insightful golf people I know, can feel it too.
That’s it. That’s all I’ve got. But it’s good. I’m more excited than ever about golf.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Golf is Finally Here!
Greetings Golfers,
I think it’s finally here. We’re planning on opening the golf course on Monday. Hurrah!
Hopefully you’ve been hitting balls at those indoor places. It can be pretty fun. I did last week and used a trackman for the first time - seriously. It was fun. Seeing your swing speed and smash-factor … and position of the club-face … and of course your distance and accuracy … is a great way to practice. It seemed to be amazingly accurate and we could pretty much predict our numbers before they showed-up on the screen.
Not all indoor places have trackman … and it’s not necessary … but is a good tool. Just hitting a golf ball is a good thing.
Do you think Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have hit many balls? How good are those four? And … their swings look nothing alike. However, they know how to make it work.
Recently, I read that Sheffler said that every amateur needs to learn these 2 specific shots:
A draw with a driver
A low sand-wedge
I agree! I mean … I really agree! Most people can’t hit those 2 shots - but they could. But, they’re too busy trying to learn the perfect swing rather than learning how to hit golf shots.
The swing doesn’t hit the shot for you. You hit the golf shot. Use a swing to put you in position to hit a golf shot.
Most people fade/slice because they haven’t learned how close the club-face … and swing inside-out. But you first have to learn how to close the club-face. You won’t swing inside-out until you’re confident the ball will spin back left.
As for hitting a low sand wedge … you need to contact the ball with your hands ahead of the club-face. That’s how you “trap” the golf ball. It’s a great way to control accuracy and distance.
About 10 years ago at a Staff Day put on by a big equipment company at a famous golf course … they invited a “big-time” golf instructor to talk to us. He talked all about the “new swing” on the Tour. This move was about turning violently through the shot and finishing “low-left”. Hmmmmm ….
Ok … maybe for Tour players. Maybe. What about swinging the golf club? Rory got into this madness and stopped winning Majors. Hopefully, he’s going back to his beautiful golf swing that got him winning Majors as a young man.
If you ever give a lot of golf lessons, you see a pretty consistent pattern of faults. Basically 2 faults (which Scheffler wisely wants to counter). First, people want to scoop the ball up in the air with their irons. I get it. That seems like the logical way to get the ball off the ground and up in the air. However, scooping leads to a million problems - mainly that the hands are behind the ball as the wrists break in an attempt to lift the ball. All of their bad body movements are a result of this faulty concept. Working on their body movements won’t really work if they still have the wrong concept of how to contact the ball. They need to learn how to “trap it”.
With a driver they make a different move because of another faulty concept. The ball is on a tee, so they’re not as worried about getting it airborne … but they really want to crush it. I get it. And what feels really strong? - how about squeezing the club and smashing the ball with your shoulders? That’s the natural instinct for power. However, that’s definitely not a way to hit a draw. Their faulty move is to lift up the driver and smash down into the ball with a “low-left” finish. They need to learn how to relax their grip and sweep the club from in-to-out and finish high-right … and hopefully have turned-over their wrists enough to close the face so the ball can spin back to to left … even though it started right.
Hopefully that made sense.
But our “famous” instructor had never worked with anyone other than Tour players. He had not worked his way up.
During his talk, I was concerned that his concept of the swing would be consumed by our group and taken back to golf courses around the Metro. The last thing most golfers need is to try to finish “low left” … they need to finish “high-right”. Percy Boomer - the greatest golf instructor of all time - explains this concept beautifully in his book “On Learning Golf”.
Now that we’re finally opening … don’t worry if your swing looks “perfect” … but do concern yourself with learning to hit a draw with your driver and a low sand wedge. Those four guys we talked about can easily do both … though their swings look nothing like each other.
Randy Smith - Scheffler’s golf instructor - said that he never changed Scheffler’s unorthodox footwork - his feet aren’t planted on the ground. “He’s an athlete,” Smith said. “And athlete’s play golf differently than robots.”
Well, you may not be the athlete Scheffler is … but you sure don’t want to be a robot. And robots don’t enjoy golf. Golf is made to be enjoyed - with your own, unique swing. But, learn to hit a draw and a low sand wedge!
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Might and Right
Greetings Golfers,
Many years ago, comedian-musician Tom Leher had a great song about misguided military interventionism “ Might makes right until they’ve seen the light”.
It doesn’t have to be about muscle … might can come in many forms. And might can be a good thing. Strength is important … weakness is not an asset.
However, might doesn’t make right. And it’s ugly when it happens.
Basically, it’s the attitude of a bully. One of my best friends has been described as a “bully hunter” … I think it’s accurate and that he secretly enjoys the compliment.
Obviously, we’re getting into a tricky area. Who decides what is right?
However, someone who says “Might makes right” is not arguing about what is right … they’re just saying that power dictates what is right. Sort of like people who “cleverly” say the Golden Rule means “whoever has the gold, rules” … usually followed by “and I have the gold”.
Charming.
A close relative just changed jobs … and his announcement on LinkedIn was bombarded with people thanking him for his inspirational leadership. Not thanking him for controlling them with his might and power and gold.
My wife and I watch a long-running tv show that has a variety of writers. Our favorite writer deals really well with reality and the main characters always make their decisions on what is right - not might … and the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law … and they nobly accept the consequences.
Our least favorite writer of the show does the opposite. The main characters choose the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law.
I’m talking about the same show. Wow. Is this intentional?
Our goal is to do the right thing here at DRGC. It’s not always appreciated or understood. One time I was called a communist because I wouldn’t let a guy buy special privileges. I thought communism meant govt. ownership of private property.
How about that wonderful saying “The customer is always right”. Ok. I guess if the customer throws a rock through our window that it’s alright. Hmmmm. Sounds like “might makes right” to me.
Treating people fairly is not communism. Capitalism and free markets do not trump morality. I had the legal right to give that bribing customer special treatment. I chose not to because I don’t want to operate like that. Just because something’s legal doesn’t make it right. The legal system is about protecting people’s rights … not about controlling society.
And with freedom … some people will choose to sell-out to the power with the gold.
And, with a loss of freedom - communism - they will use “might to make right”. They’ve taken away the choice from the individual.
These issues get very confusing … whether it’s a government or a business.
We try to operate DRGC on the idea that people know what is right … and appreciate a place that respects them and expects them to do the right thing. We don’t want to run this place like a police-state.
For example, we leave the cart keys in the carts. People could only pay the green fee and hop on a cart. Obviously it’s the same as stealing … and we think most people don’t steal from us … we trust them.
On that same vein … we’ve decided not to charge neighbors a season-long Trail Fee … but to charge everyone who drives a cart our cart fee … whether it’s one of our carts or theirs. It’s simpler and easier … and fair.
Obviously, people can try to get away with it. But we know … and they know it’s not right. Are we obsessed with this issue? No.
Same with no-shows. That’s a bad deal. We have a short season with a limited amount of tee-times. Those tee-times are golden. We hope people won’t take advantage of us. Is it worth running the whole tee-time system to stop no-shows? Not for us … most people get it. Ironically, some people with the gold and/or might are the worst abusers of our trusting policy (and policies).
Hmmmm … so being “special” is a license to not do the right thing.
Well, back to Tom Leher “Might makes right until they’ve seen the light”. I’d rather say “Right makes might and will be used (reluctantly) if they don’t see the light”.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
A Nice Little Rib Joint
Greetings Golfers,
Though sunset is getting later, these are not good evenings to play golf … at least not here in Minnesota. So, I’ve been trying to find interesting stuff to watch on television. And, most shows that I’ve sampled are about as good as our weather.
So … I’m back to the Summer of 1967 … the time of 3 of my all-time favorite shows: The Avengers; The Saint; and The Prisoner. James Bond movies were big back then, so these shows were variations on the theme.
My favorite was The Prisoner. He was a spy who resigned, but couldn’t get away. They knocked him out and he woke-up on an island. Though everything is “perfect” on the island … he has no freedom … not a very good trade. And, there seems to be no escape. He is … The Prisoner.
I just read that when the star and writer - Patrick McGouaghn - started the show, he was the highest paid actor in England. But by the end of the show he was chased out of the country because the show made a lot of people angry. That blew my mind. I can’t imagine the show could be that upsetting.
Maybe a show that portrayed how crazy and sinister the dream of Utopia is … is just too much for Utopians.
Promising everything to everybody is easy to do … but impossible to do. Whether it’s politicians or businesses.
I’m constantly bombarded with people trying to tell me how to run the golf course. Mostly it’s about how it should be run for their needs. If you added all the suggestions up … the final product would be Augusta National merged with Mall of America … and it would all be free or at least ridiculously cheap.
That’s probably the golf facility they would have on the island for The Prisoner. Might sound good at first … but the lack of freedom would take all of the joy out of it.
That island would not have a variety of golf courses. There would be only one for everyone. And it would try to appease everyone. That’s a poor model anywhere.
I prefer variety. Difficult courses … easier courses … short or long … cheap or expensive … fun or super serious … private or public … resort or muni … I could go on and on.
I compare us to a rib-joint. Great ribs with good sides and a charming little atmosphere to enjoy the dinner. However, here’s what would happen if I did what everyone suggested: One guy says that he loves our ribs, but his wife doesn’t like ribs … and she’d like French food. So, we’d add a mini-kitchen and maybe hire a chef. Then, somebody says “Ya know, the French thing doesn’t really work … but Mexican food is a natural fit”. So then we add that. Then, someone says that they love our ribs and it would be really fun to sit out at night under the stars eating ribs and listening to live music.
Soon, the focus would not be on the ribs. Not enough time to make the special sauce and go through the proper process. Probably start microwaving the ribs and running French-Mexican-rib specials. Oh … and the bands are driving away the dinner crowd and bringing in raging alcoholics.
THE FUN HAS JUST BEGUN! The expenses have gone crazy … the revenue is down … the atmosphere is terrible … and we’ve become an embarrassment to the community.
This model could only work on The Prisoner.
Well, hopefully the weather will improve and we can open. In the meantime … sit back and enjoy the Masters.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Love of Money
Greetings Golfers,
So is everything about money? The total motivation? The goal? The thing that fixes everything?
If so … is the only reason everyone isn’t a criminal because they are afraid they’ll get caught?
So … “selling out” is just being practical?
And every mistake needs to be financially compensated?
The other day while in the car, I was listening to a goofy lawyer advice radio show. One call was from a serious demanding woman who was upset that the phone company had made a mistake on her bill. She then admitted that the problem was resolved … but … she had suffered emotionally because of the mistake and felt entitled to sue the phone company for emotional damages.
Huh????
People make mistakes all the time - we’re not perfect. Because mistakes are made - even minor mistakes that are quickly resolved - should they be liable to a lawsuit for emotional damage?
Where does this madness end? Your invitation got lost in the mail? Somebody cut you off in traffic? Are these lawsuits? What if you hit a good shot and it takes a bad bounce? Lawsuit? I’m sure that bounce was upsetting … and of course you’re not responsible for dealing with your emotions.
Now that we’re finally talking golf … what’s the PGA Tour up to? Next year sounds like their model is the LIV Tour.
Huh? Are you kidding? Isn’t this the time for the PGA Tour to really separate itself and do it right?
So … their goal is to just appease the star players? And … just sell-out to the big sponsors? Isn’t that the LIV model that people are so mad about.
I like Rory … but here’s how he explained the new PGA Tour model “It keeps the stars there for four days. You ask Mastercard or whoever it is to pay $20M for a golf event, they want to see the stars at the weekend”. So the sponsors are calling the shots? Then why not have the players do a “sponsor dance” on the last green. They’re already doing a lap-dance.
Shouldn’t the Tour put out a great product and look for sponsors who are proud to be a part of something good?
That’s not being arrogant - that’s being confident. That confidence comes from building something really well. We all know the difference.
Our clubhouse is a 100 year-old brick farmhouse. It was built to last. I bring new staff down into the basement and show them the beams. They’re not 2-by-4s … you can hardly put your arms around them. They didn’t cut corners. I tell these kids that that’s how we want to do things here. No shortcuts, no cutting corners … just do things right. I want this golf course to be here a hundred years from now. This isn’t a real estate play … or a scam to drive-up numbers and then sell. This is a labor of love. Money is a tool to make it better.
Isn’t a sane culture built on solid ground? If the goal is to just build and flip or just build and bleed it … what’s the next step or the final goal? Just keep on moving and leave a path of destruction? And what then … move to an island and hide from reality? Or is life about just going on a non-stop bender? Those are the dreams of kids - not grown-ups.
Alister MacKenzie - the great golf course architect (Augusta National, Cypress, etc) was originally a medical doctor. But he gave-up medicine for golf design … not for money … but to help people. This is what he said “One of the reasons why I, a ‘medical man’ decided to give up medicine was of a firm conviction of the extraordinary influence of pleasurable excitement, especially combined with fresh air and exercise. How frequently have I, with great difficulty, persuaded patients who were never off my doorsteps to take up golf, and how rarely, if ever, I have seen them in my consulting room again.”
MacKenzie’s courses were built to last. And are still the best in the world. The PGA Tour should learn from his example.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Food, Music, And Laughter
Greetings Golfers,
Aloha!
No … I’m not in Hawaii … I’m in wintery Minnesota … but I feel great. Maybe not great … but not like I’m going to die. So in comparison - I feel great! And happy! And grateful.
When I was so sick, I didn’t want to eat, or play music, or laugh. Isn’t that death? We can’t live without those things. Well, at least I can’t.
The laughing thing really matters. Life is not a joke. Life is serious. However, not EVERYTHING needs to be taken seriously.
Serious things need to be taken seriously. We all need to figure out our priorities and take them seriously. But taking everything seriously is crazy. Definitely not funny. Crazy.
Stuff goes wrong all the time. But, it’s not the end of the world. Nuclear war is the end of the world. Someone screwing up your order at a restaurant is not the end of the world. Laugh about it. Unless you want to join the millions who should be in mental institutions because they take everything too seriously.
What I miss most about the course not being open, is the constant laughter. I’ll be up in my office and hear the staff in the Pub laughing with golfers or just with each other. Or in the other office I hear Kathy and Kelly and Ketti laughing it up. (Which they do all day). I complain to people that I have to deal with the KKK (obviously their initials). Some people take that seriously and get mad. Really???
Hey, the Klan hated Catholics. I’m Catholic. I can laugh at myself. If we can’t laugh at ourselves … we’re over the edge.
Ever play golf with people who can’t laugh at their bad shots? And … they really enjoy laughing at your bad shots? They’re fun to be with.
It has been said that nothing so lays bare a person’s soul as their laugh. I agree. And not just their laugh … but what they laugh at.
Can’t wait to open the golf course. Can’t wait to be fully healed. Can’t wait for nice, warm, Spring weather.
But what I really can’t wait for … is the laughter throughout the clubhouse and golf course.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Manners, Respect, and Responsibilty
Greetings Golfers,
I just finished reading an article written by an American who says that American men can’t seem to apologize … anymore. He writes about how in old Westerns they talked about how much courage it took to apologize.
Hmmmm … I think he’s right. We’ve twisted-it-up so that we think apologizing is a sign of weakness. No. Apologizing is stepping-up and taking responsibility. I remember reading an article years ago that had a headline like “Courageous Leaders Don’t Make Excuses - They Apologize”.
Somehow we’ve made apologizing and good manners into not signs of courage, responsibility, and respect … but into a power/subservient game. Ironically, that attitude turns important pieces of civility into an ugly power game.
My wife and I were watching a show about politicians … and the “hero” was at the mercy of the Secretary of State.
So, when our hero would walk into the Secretary’s office … the Secretary wouldn’t even look-up and acknowledge him … even when they would be having a conversation. But, when our hero left the office … the Secretary looked-up.
Barf. I wanted to punch the guy.
When I write these blogs, I start it with “Greetings Golfers” … I don’t just start writing … I acknowledge you’all … that’s a sign of respect and connection.
Ever walk into a room and the people don’t stop talking and don’t acknowledge you? Well … if you haven’t … it’s not fun. I just usually keep walking. Am I being petty - no, they’re being rude and petty.
When you walk into our Clubhouse … I want our staff to immediately greet you. With warmth and friendliness. This is not being phony … unless our staff doesn’t like you or doesn’t like people in general. If that’s the case … I’ve hired the wrong staff.
Years ago, I worked for a GM who one day pointed at his watch and said “I’m going to get this place to run like a Swiss watch!” I replied “If that’s your goal, you’re going to go crazy and have a terrible atmosphere. We need people to be flexible and able to deal with the constant chaos due to weather, broken machines (carts, mowers, grills, ball-machines, phones, etc), misunderstandings, and just the uniqueness of people. He scowled. Later at one of the lunches … I declared : The basic difference between us is that you don’t like people - but love “humanity” … and that I like people - but I’m afraid of “humanity”.
He also hated good manners. He saw life as just a series of power plays.
I’m aware of power. And respect it as a tool. But, I try to avoid people who love power plays. They only have good manners for people who have power or can do something for them. They usually treat waiters and waitresses cruelly and disrespectfully.
Playing golf with people is a great window into their soul.
The other day, a woman college golfer walked through another player’s putting line. Twitter went crazy. Of course it was disrespectful. But some people took the tack that it didn’t matter and to get over it.
Oh. So life is just about functionality? Cool. Let’s all just become robots and move on.
We have very little drama among our staff at DRGC. I think it’s because I hire for culture. My interviews are mostly about culture. If they get it … they’ll probably get hired. If they don’t get it - I won’t hire them no matter how great their resume is.
Respect and trust are what keep people comfortable with each other. Manners, apologizing and taking responsibility are the constant little things going on all the time between people. To discount them or ignore them is to put the emphasis on power and functionality instead of the joy of being human.
Well, hopefully we’ll be opening soon. Over the last 30+ years … April 4 is the average opening date. Probably more likely is April 14 (I hope!).
If it is a late opening … I’m not apologizing … the weather is a little out of my hands. Yet, if we’re not friendly when we open - that I will apologize for. But … that’s not happening … we will be fun and friendly.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Home Sweet Home
Greetings Golfers,
Well, I’m back in Minnesota. We didn’t see snow until northern Iowa … seriously. But Minnesota made up for that lack of snow. Wow! Rumor is (from knowledgeable sources) that it will probably be a late start for local golf courses.
We got back Sunday night, and I’ve spent the week in the Clubhouse. In fact, it went so fast that I hadn’t thought about my blog until Thursday night.
The natural topic seemed to be that I’m back home … and how does that relate to Deer Run? Seems easy enough … we want Deer Run to feel like home even though you travel to other courses, etc.
My wife said it sounded boring.
Ok … what’s not boring? The LIV Tour is always a hot topic. And this week the PGA Tour announced that it’s going to have smaller, no-cut tournaments in 2024. Hmmmm … does that sound like a reaction to LIV? … even a copy of LIV?
Reacting is usually not as good as being proactive. I wish the PGA Tour was consistently improving the product. Obviously they need to keep 3 different groups happy:
Star players
Sponsors
Fans
But to just pander to each group does not build a good product. What about building a BETTER product … wouldn’t that naturally appeal to those 3 groups?
I love golf … and even watching golf. But the PGA Tour has a lot of boring tournaments. We all love the Majors because they’re meaningful.
Is the FedEx Cup meaningful? Maybe if you’re a player. But why would anyone else care?
Probably the best thing about tournaments is the cut. Half the field goes home after 2 rounds. The players have to earn it.
The basic appeal of golf is its brutal simplicity: Hit it, find it, deal with it.
We don’t like golf junked-up.
The Masters is pretty pure. And so are the other Majors like the US Open and the British Open. The PGA - not as much. Thus its place as the bottom rung of the Majors.
Yet the Phoenix Open is fun. Sort of the perfect tournament the day of the Super Bowl.
The PGA Tour needs to figure out how to get better. Not just try to make everyone happy. And it sure doesn’t want to seem like it’s copying the cheesiness of the LIV Tour.
Do I have it figured out? No. But give me time. I just got home and have a lot to do … but I’ll start thinking about this … send me your ideas if you’ve got it figured out.
It’s good to be back home!
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Don't Ignore Your Spine
Greetings Golfers,
So last week, at age 65, Bernhard Langer won the Chubb Classic. It wasn’t the PGA Tour event at Riviera … it was a Senior Tour event in Naples, Florida. But it’s still incredible - most of the good players on the Senior (Champions) Tour are in their early 50s - not 65.
Langer did admit in the post-game interview that it’s a good course for him because it’s short and narrow … but it’s not that short!
So inspired by Langer, GOLF DIGEST had an article about the secret to good golf in your later years. Of course they start off with Sam Snead. Snead loved to play golf - he claimed to play every day … and he never had the injuries that most players have. Snead was crazy flexible … but that wasn’t the only reason for his longevity and lack of injuries. His swing was based on fluid motion and rhythm - not on torque and resistance. And he hit it a long way - even into old age.
Snead also had a good quote: “The harder you hit the nail, the slower you take the hammer back”.
Probably my favorite quote in the article was by Dr. Phil Ozuah, CEO of Montefiore Medical Center: “The happiest people are grateful. The unhappiest are entitled. Be grateful.”
This is good stuff. For any age. For all ages. Not just old folks like me.
Now I’m going to make a leap … bear with me. Last month at the PGA Show, we walked into a really cool showroom of beautiful golf shoes. I talked to one of the shoe creators - not a salesman. He was showing me how the shoes were constructed to be comfortable and supportive. He talked about Tiger Woods having to wear a different company’s golf shoe because the company he represents doesn’t make shoes with enough support. Because of his car accident, Tiger needs more than comfort and style - he needs support.
I found this fascinating and really appreciated how this guy’s mind works. So, I told him my analogy: “It sounds like you’re saying a shoe is like a body - that it needs a spine for support - otherwise it’s just a blob.” He laughed and agreed. (I’m glad he laughed).
Where am I going with this? Well, back to the quote about being grateful … which I love. And I agree that entitled people are unhappy. But, we also have to have a spine. We can’t just be a comfortable blob … even a stylish comfortable blob. Even in old age. We need to have a spine. Otherwise, we’re of no use when people need us.
A lot of arrogant and naive people view us as a blob of clay to be formed into their vision of humanity. I’ve had pretty intense arguments with golf instructors about such attitudes. And it’s not just golf instructors. About 30 years ago, I gave golf lessons during the winter at an athletic training facility run by former Twins and North Stars. They would create a model of an athletic motion on a computer … and then try to make every student into that model.
I argued that every athletic motion had certain fundamentals and that our job was to adapt those fundamentals to the unique students we worked with. One size does not fit all.
Of course they had success stories. But they were the students who were predisposed to their model. Who knows how many they destroyed.
This mindset is prevalent in everything - not just sports. They claim to love diversity - but they love uniformity. They want to make everyone into their model.
They should read the novel “Frankenstein”. The arrogant scientist who believes he can create the perfect human, winds up creating a monster.
Some of these crazy ideas for the modern golf swing destroy people’s bodies. Sure, young people are flexible - but they’re not blobs - they have a spine. Look at the problems these young guys are having with their backs - Jason Day, Brooks Koepka, etc … I could go on and on.
And this madness has to be stood-up to. We have to use our spine/backbone and say no. If we are a blob we cannot support the people who need our help. Just like Tiger’s former golf shoe - it can’t help him when he needs it - he needs a shoe that has a spine.
Being nice is good. But being nice without a spine is not good - just like the blob golf shoe.
A lot of good people have been manipulated into thinking that being a passive blob is noble - while the mad scientists are trying to create a new world.
These mad scientists’ models backed by their systems and stats is short-term thinking. It ignores reality. But they don’t believe in reality. Unfortunately, real people have to pay the price of their Utopian schemes.
So, back to Bernard Langer. His golf swing is based in reality and has held-up for a long time. He is not a Frankenstein - he’s a human being.
And back to the quote about being grateful - not entitled.
Use your spine to do the right thing. Don’t use it to be entitled and demanding.
So, as you work on your golf swing … remember that you are not a blob to be shaped into some crazy model. You have a spine - respect it. And use it to stand-up to mad scientists that are trying to ruin your body and your golf swing and our society.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Heroes And Celebrities
Greetings Golfers,
In the last few weeks, I’ve watched some interesting golf documentaries … and they’ve been nothing alike.
First off was “The Short Game” … made in 2013 about a Junior Golf World Championship played at Pinehurst. It’s about kids 7 & 8 years old … and they focus on about eight of the players from all over the world. The kids are all likable and entertaining … the parents not so much. And … these kids can really play golf - it’s amazing!
But interesting golf stories aren’t just about kids … we oldsters can be pretty interesting too. Watched a documentary about Tom Watson almost winning the British Open at 59 years of age in 2009. I well remember watching it live … and how unbelievable it seemed that he was going to pull it off. With a one-shot lead on the last hole, he hit a perfect drive down the middle. Then what looked like a perfect 8-iron close to the pin … never stopped rolling until rolled off the green. He failed to get it up-and-down … and the lost in a playoff. Ugh.
Then yesterday, I watched the first 3 episodes of “Follow Through” … a tour of the PGA Tour last year. It begins with following Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth as they take you through their relationship and the trials and tribulations of professional golf. Then as the year goes on, the big news of the LIV Tour takes center stage. They picked quite the year to follow the PGA Tour!
So … I’ve been thinking about all of this … why is this interesting? I don’t really know these people … why do I care? Obviously I love golf and seeing how super talented players deal with golf is interesting … but what is really interesting is how they deal with life.
Are these people heroes or celebrities … or both … or what’s the difference?
Has our society lost heroes and substituted celebrities?
Do we admire virtue and heroism? … or are we more enthralled with glamor and money and power?
So I found an article by Landon Y. Jones, titled “Too Many Celebrities and Not Enough Heroes”. Jones was a writer and editor at People magazine from its first issue in 1974 … so he knows the celebrity scene … and he’s a pretty insightful guy.
Jones said that People magazine used to host focus groups to find out who people were interested in … and always started the sessions by asking who were their heroes. But, about 10 years ago they stopped asking because people couldn’t think of any - except for heroes from history.
Then Jones says: “But we could all do more to identify the heroes living among us. They are our founders and builders. They lead us forward. They encourage us to stop thinking only of ourselves and our narrow interests and to think about a larger purpose. Many celebrities do take on worthy causes. As the joke goes, a movie star without a cause is like a woodpecker without a tree. But celebrities do not typically help us to understand ourselves and our world. We’ll need to look elsewhere for people who help us bridge the gap between who we are and who we want to be.”
And I think he means that gap should be filled by heroes.
Is it heroic to play golf for the LIV Tour?
Is it heroic to make your child into a golf superstar?
Is it heroic to win the British Open at age 59? Can be if you do it honorably like Tom Watson was trying to do.
I wish there were more stories and movies about the heroes among us. The people who do heroic things.
When our staff leaves us for the “real world” … we talk up in my office. My final words are usually “Just do the right thing. It’s the only way you’ll like yourself. Money and power won’t make-up for doing the wrong thing.”
We can all be heroes. We can’t all be celebrities.
We can’t all be champion golfers … but we can all be respected for how we play golf. And I don’t only mean follow the rules … honor is about more than that. I mean how you deal with everything and everyone when you play golf.
In fact, I’ve played with “Letter of the Law” people who are the opposite of the “Spirit of the Law”. We all know the difference. The same way my staff knows what I mean by doing the right thing so that you’ll like yourself.
We need a documentary about heroic golfers.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
The ABCs Of A Golf Swing And A Golf Operation
Greetings Golfers,
As you know, during the off-season, I’ve been trying to improve my golf swing - mostly in search of some of the distance I’ve lost over the years.
However, I’ve come to realize that I need to look at my process for hitting golf shots … and go back to the basics:
Grip
Set-up
Backswing
Downswing
Finish
And … I’m getting things ready to open the golf course. April 4 has been the “normal” date to open.
Like my golf swing … the golf course operation cannot be on auto-pilot … it always needs attention. Unlike my golf swing, Deer Run GC has improved with age.
So, while thinking about my need to go over the steps to hitting a golf shot … I realized it’s analogous to going over the steps to running a golf course.
The off-season is the perfect time to do both. So … here I go with the comparisons. I haven’t really thought this through … so I’ll be learning as I write:
1.) Grip. This is how you feel and control the club. I’m a fingers and soft-hands guy. A squeezed club held in the palms eliminates shot-making. Feel is the focus.
1.) Grip. This is your hands-on to every part of the operation. This is how you feel and control the operation. I’m a fingers and soft-hands guy. A squeezed operation cannot adjust as the season goes on. Feel is the focus.
2.) Set-up. This is how you position yourself so that you can wind up and then hit the ball squarely at the target. A bad set-up makes golf difficult and inconsistent.
2.) Set-up. This is how you position the operation before the season starts. Staffing is the biggest piece. Making sure the other pieces are ready - mowers, carts, F&B service, Pro Shop, range, marketing, booked events. A bad set-up causes a chaotic season.
3.) Backswing. No matter how good your set-up is … if you can’t properly wind-up on your backswing … you’re going to have a tough time hitting good shots. Your body needs to turn and shift weight as you bring the club to the top of the backswing. You need to know where you should to be at the top … otherwise you’re lost. It takes balance, rhythm, control and knowledge.
3.) Backswing. That’s how we start every day. The maintenance staff has to get the course ready. The Pro Shop and desk need to be ready to check-in the golfers. The Pub needs to be ready to nourish the players. The carts have to be charged and lined-up. The range needs to be open and stocked with balls. We need to know what that looks like. And we have to do it. As smoothly as possible.
4.) Downswing. The downswing cannot be rushed. A good backswing puts you in position for a good downswing … but it’s not automatic. A great drill is to stop at the top of your backswing … and feel where you are … then, shift your weight and swing the club into your follow through. A rushed downswing will lead to bad shots of all types. Focus on rhythm.
4.) Downswing. Now we’re playing. Golfers are arriving and playing golf, driving carts, hitting range balls, drinking and eating, and admiring our amazing Pro Shop (I had to say it). This is all about rhythm. We cannot be uptight and hurried. We need to be happy and relaxed and into it. Focus on rhythm.
5.) Finish. The finish doesn’t lie. A bad follow-through indicates a bad swing. A good follow-through is complete and balanced - you could stand there all day. It feels good. You want to savor it
5.) Finish. The finish of a day doesn’t lie. Does it feel good? Did we deal with everything that came our way and make it work? Are we proud of how things went? If we had a good day … it feels great. I want to savor the feel before I lock the doors and go home.
Well that was fun. Hope you enjoyed it half as much as I did. I’ve had a great off-season … can’t wait to try out my new swing at Deer Run GC.
But, I especially can’t wait to come back and open up the golf course. There’s still a lot of work to do … but we have a good process to get there.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Pitchers and Golfers
Greetings Golfers,
I’ve always thought that a baseball pitcher and a golfer are similar animals.
They’re both controlling a ball with speed and spin to hit a target.
Golf is not really a team game. Sure, there are golf teams … but golfers play as an individual. Not like football, basketball, hockey, soccer, etc … where the players are on a field passing a ball around to each other trying to score and trying to keep the other team from scoring.
And though the baseball pitcher is on the field with the team … he’s pretty alone out there trying to throw the ball past the other team’s batters. And they both use an individual way of starting the action - with a wind-up or a golf swing. They’re not reacting … they’re initiating the action.
The Minnesota Twins have a pitcher - Joe Ryan - who in a recent interview said “I love talking pitching. I love messing around with the baseball, manipulating it in the dugout, just getting that feel. Then I get back on the mound with all of that. It’s a good time.”
Come on … that sounds like a golfer. Later in the interview, he cites vertical approach angle and horizontal break. He also talks about reviewing video of recent outings compared to how he threw in high school with a more over-hand delivery. What makes Joe Ryan special as a pitcher is that he can throw a fastball from a fairly low angle and make it rise … obviously a pitch that is hard to hit.
Hopefully as golfers we aren’t trying to beat other golfers by getting them to swing and miss … but we are trying to beat them with controlled golf shots.
Like Joe Ryan, some of us love messing around with the golf ball. And love looking at videos of our swings and comparing our new swings with our old swings. Are we more upright than we were? Or flatter? Do we make a bigger turn? What is our angle of attack - more steep or more shallow?
A pitcher’s wind-up is a similar motion to a golfer’s golf swing. Both turn and shift weight to build-up power to be released through arm(s) and hand(s) to propel the ball at the target.
You don’t just stand flat-footed and motionless on the mound and throw a 90 mph fastball … and you don’t just stand flat-footed and motionless on the tee-box and hit a 280 yard drive.
Speaking of flat-footed … I played yesterday with my son Ryan. As I said last month, I’ve been working on lifting my left-foot and fully turning it on my backswing. Playing with Ryan was the test. He said that I was doing it and that my swing was better than it was last Fall.
Obviously you want stability in your swing … but you also need motion and athleticism. As we get older and less flexible … lifting the left-foot can help with making a better backswing-turn … and help with motion and athleticism.
My baseball pitching days are through … but I hope to play golf until old(er) age. Using that golf analogy … I’ve lost my fastball … but hopefully I can throw it over the plate.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Golf is Healthy
Greetings Golfers,
I’m writing this from the PGA Show in Orlando.
And I have good news - the Show is back!
Why is that good news? Because I think it’s directly related to the health of the game of golf.
Here’s another interesting fact about the health of golf: Wednesday - here at the PGA Show - during their State of Golf address, the National Golf foundation announced that last year 25.6 million people played golf at a green grass facility … and that 27.9 million people played golf indoors.
Neither number includes miniature golf.
Golf is taking other forms. The traditional way is not the only way.
That doesn’t mean the end of traditional golf. There is room for Top Golf and St. Andrews.
Obviously our society has become much more casual. You can really see it here at the Show. 25 years ago, most PGA Pros at the Show wore a coat and tie. Now, you seldom see a tie … and not even that many sport coats.
And … that casualness is reflected in the clothing showrooms here at the Show.
A few years ago, I couldn’t believe it when I saw cashmere hoodies in the Greyson showroom … and they were expensive!
Years ago, golf started to get into more athletic wear - a more casual style than the traditional golf wear. And more tennis-type shoes without spikes was a big change from leather golf-shoes with metal-spikes.
There are still traditional golf clothing companies … but there are way more untraditional golf clothing companies.
Well … you saw those numbers … even more people played golf indoors than outdoors last year. What do they wear at Top Golf?
So where is this going? Will people just play golf in sweatpants?
Here’s where I hope common sense takes over. Clothing has different functions and can be symbolic.
Wearing sweatpants to a funeral is disrespectful.
And wearing a formal suit while working in your yard doesn’t make sense.
You’d probably wear different clothing to a fancy restaurant than to a diner.
Just because golf has more options than it once did … doesn’t mean that the option of traditional golf and traditional clothing has to go away.
They’re just another option.
Different clothing doesn’t have to mean pretentiousness or phoniness … it can mean what works and what’s respectful.
Fall colors and warmer fabrics in the Fall … Spring colors and lighter fabrics in the Spring.
Don’t laugh … some people see that as phony.
I see it as common sense.
But some people see good manners as phony. I see them as signs of respect.
We’ve gotten pretty hostile to what built Western Civilization … thinking that if it’s not perfect that it has to all be torn down.
What about tweaks and more options instead of revolution?
Well, that’s what I think is happening to golf … tweaks and more options.
There is still room for traditional golf. We are not seeing the end of golf - this is not a revolution. Indoor golf and more casual golf clothing are good options.
The annual PGA Show in Orlando is a good reflection of what’s happening in golf. COVID stopped it for a few years … but I think it’s coming back better than ever.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
A Bunch of Musings
Greetings Golfers,
Well, my “life-of-leisure” is going quickly … can’t believe it’s Jan. 20. Next week is the PGA Show in Orlando … then it’s February (which will last a minute) … then I’ll be back in MN around March 1 to get ready for the season.
Huh???
So, I’m trying to get in as much golf as I can. In the past week, I’ve been a guest at two great golf communities in this LowCountry area. Had wonderful hosts and played 2 very good golf courses. As I warned you last week - I’ve mastered the game … so it wasn’t surprising when I shot 59 on each course.
Not exactly.
One course I went 4 over on the last 3 holes to shoot 80. And the other course I went 3 over on the last 3 to shoot 79. Not terrible scores … but not fun ways to finish.
And with my Monday group … I went 34-45. My partners were not happy … they loved me on the front and hated me on the back.
In case you’re wondering … I’m riding in a cart. Imagine what I’d shoot if I was walking. Obviously, I need to work on my conditioning. My second host said that was an excuse and that I needed to step-up at the end and not make excuses.
Ouch!
I probably need to go to Utopia, Texas and spend time with Robert Duvall. A blog reader recommended the movie “7 Days in Utopia” … so we watched it the other night. We loved it. It’s cornball … but I love certain kinds of cornball. It’s about a young guy trying to make it on the Tour … and things go bad with his dad on his bag as his caddy. You can probably already map-out the plot … and you’re right … but it’s good stuff … stuff we need to hear.
And Robert Duvall stars in it. I’m not a “stars” guy … but Duvall is probably my all-time favorite actor and here’s just a few of his movies: “The Godfather”, “Godfather II”, “Apocalypse Now”, “Tender Mercies”, “Sling Blade”, “The Natural”, “Network” … even back to “To Kill a Mockingbird”. He’s the Ben Hogan of movies.
Speaking of Ben Hogan and Texas … how would you like to talk the golf swing with Texans Ben Hogan, Jackie Burke, and Lee Trevino? Think they knew anything? You could also throw in these guys - Byron Nelson and Harvey Penick.
Well, Texans weren’t the only great golf instructors. I just finished listening to a podcast called “Need a 4th?” … hosted by Alan Shipneck, Geoff Ogilvy, and Michael Bamberger … and their guest is Sean Foley, the big-time golf instructor/philosopher/psychiatrist from Canada. During the 2 hour podcast … the hosts might have talked for 5 minutes … Sean likes to talk. But … he’s really interesting. You can’t believe how into it he is. He wraps-up the show by talking about Viktor Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning”. Foley is not exactly your by-the-numbers golf instructor.
Well, next week I’ll be writing from the PGA Show in Orlando. It was canceled during COVID … and was pretty weak last year. Hopefully it’s come back. I love it. I’ve known some Minnesota golf Pros who used to complain about going to it. Really? So … leaving MN for Florida in January … seeing what’s new in golf equipment, clothes, etc. Hanging around with the other MN Pros at the lobby of the Rosen every night … and just seeing everyone in the golf industry … and that’s what you complain about???
I’m not that guy. I love it. And I’m loving my “life-of-leisure”. I don’t take any of it for granted. But … I can feel something happening … I’m getting really excited for the new golf season.
Hope you are too.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Golf Mastered
Greetings Golfers,
Well, we’ve been here a week … and I’ve totally mastered golf.
Guess I have to move on and master something else … maybe the violin … I’m sure if I devote myself … I can master that in a week too.
Actually, I think I’m playing better than I was a week ago.
Am playing this morning (Friday) with a guy I don’t know from Minnesota on his course with his buddies. Hope I play decently.
So … with all of this playing … I have a bunch of thoughts about the golf swing. Of course I’ve been experimenting … even during our weekly Monday game for big bucks (I won $6!).
My new left foot move is working. I’m making a much better turn and backswing. But … I still have to hit the ball. A baseball pitcher with a good wind-up still has to throw the ball.
So of course I’ve been monkeying with my downswing and ways to make contact.
Years ago I read an interview with Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman. When asked which hand they emphasize in their swing … Seve said his right-hand … and Norman said his left-hand … though they both made a right-handed swing.
I’ve monkeyed with this for many years. I’m very right-handed. I have way more feel and control with my right-hand.
However, I make a better golf swing when my left-hand is in control … it’s more on plane and has more extension.
But, if my left-hand controls my chipping and wedge shots … I don’t have much feel and might even have poor contact.
So … I use more left-hand on full-shots … especially using a tee. The tee can help with mediocre contact and these big-headed drivers have a lot of room for error.
Greg Norman was one of the most accurate drivers of all-time. Seve Ballasteros was one of the wildest drivers of all time.
But Seve might have been the best chipper of all-time.
While at the Masters in 1995 … I watched Seve play basically alone on Saturday morning. He was the last one to make the cut and was paired with an Augusta member so he wouldn’t play alone (this Augusta member had won the US Amateur - so it wasn’t some goofball playing in the Masters).
I was about the only person following these guys. The other one was Seve’s coach - Mac O’Grady. They were constantly signaling each other back & forth. Seve hit the ball everywhere - it was crazy. But he could get it up-and-down from places that were impossible. I wish I had a movie of it.
Obviously emphasizing my right-hand won’t give me Seve’s short-game … but it’s better than if my left-hand is in control.
And obviously emphasizing my left-hand with my driver won’t give me Norman’s driving … but it’s better than when I emphasize my right hand.
But … what about long irons or fairway woods off the ground? Using a tee is my magic weapon on those shots.
Well, I’m not bad if I have a nice lie … but down here (and especially on some courses) … the lies during the Winter are very skinny. So do I go right-hand for contact … or left-hand for a better swing?
And it’s not just golf shots … this also applies to putting. The other day a golf magazine had an article saying that forward-lean-shaft players were the worst putters on Tour.
My son Ryan sent me the article … because I’m a forward-lean-shaft guy … he’s not … and he’s a much better putter than I am.
My instinct is to put my hands way in front of the putter and basically punch it with my right-hand. This is not conducive to a good roll. Sometimes I do the opposite: I put the ball way forward in my stance … stand tall … and swing the putter with my left-hand and hit the ball on the way up. It does roll the ball well … and I have putted well that way. But I don’t trust it. The only way that I can make my punch-putt work … is to hit it off the toe of the putter to make it roll.
How crazy is all of this???
I’m not making any of this up. This is the goofy stuff I think about and try when playing golf.
Not surprisingly … most of my best rounds have happened when I’ve had a few drinks. And I’m not thinking about any of this stuff.
This is good stuff to understand and practice. I wrote this to be helpful. And to make you not feel not alone if golf info gets overwhelming. I’m actually trying to make it simpler!
Well, the weather is supposed to stay nice and I’ll keep playing everyday. Hopefully I’ll be better next week than I am now.
But after two weeks of golf … I probably won’t have it mastered. If I do … I'll let you know.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
On the Road Again
Greetings Golfers,
I’m writing this from Beaufort, SC. I tell you this not to gloat that I got out of the cold … but as an excuse for what may be a mess of a blog.
We left Tuesday morning - it took us 2 hours to get from Burnsville to Faribault … and around the Northfield exit, I didn’t think we’d make it. Our windshield was iced-over, our windshield wipers were caked in ice … the freeway wasn’t plowed … it was foggy … and a blizzard. Goofballs would pass us …and then veer off the road and get stuck.
However, from Iowa on … it was clear and easy … all the way to our hotel in southern Missouri. And it was clear on Wednesday … though we got in about midnight. Those 14 hour days of driving aren’t easy (for me).
But we’re here … so Thursday morning I had to tee-it-up. Get unpacked and get organized first? No. I had a new swing that had to be tested.
Beaufort is a little town, yet has 3 public courses in neighborhood developments. Not anymore - one of those just went private (it had been abandoned the last 3 years).
Another one was leased-out and the leasee left last year (I talked to him on his last day). And the other one was bought 4 years ago from the heir of a famous nut company who was sick of losing money.
What a trio.
So I tried the former leased-out course first - hoping it was in business. It’s open for business. The neighborhood is running it. The first hole is a skinny par 5 … the trees are so overgrown that you have a tiny window for your opening shot. So are they going to trim the trees and rebuild the pathetic tee-box? Oh no … they’re building a mammoth bunker in the middle of the fairway … right at the length of the landing zone.
Check-in took about an hour because they are obsessed with data. I’m sure the 17 of us who played there yesterday will have a big impact on their future.
So … I left after 9 holes and went to the course formerly owned by the nut man. Now I don’t know what to say. This is not good. The new owner needed more money … so he brought in a 49% partner last year … who supposedly put a million dollars into it. That didn’t phase what was needed. Tragically, the owner committed suicide in his office in the clubhouse.
Golf is supposed to be fun … recreation … a break from our troubles. However, the business of golf is seldom those things. It’s crazy difficult. Too many expenses.
While I was hearing this horrible story … one of my 1pm Monday group came in after 9 … saw me … and asked if I wanted to join them on the back.
Yes!
These are good guys. The course is terrible … but I really like these guys.
So … I know you’re wondering about my “new swing”. Well, my son Ryan took a video of my swing around Nov. 1. It was not good. My backswing was about waist-high … with no hip-turn nor shoulder-turn. Just basically a guy hitting a punch-shot.
You need more than a punch-shot. Obviously the years had caught-up with me … I had to make a change. So … I realized that my left-foot had to come up off the ground. In fact, the foot had to come up and turn … and my left knee had to turn with it … and I mean really turn. That’s the only way that I can make a backswing … I mean a backswing with a turn and get my hands shoulder high.
So … I practiced this in the clubhouse almost every day in November and December. Ryan took another video of me in late December and couldn’t believe it. I don’t mean it looked great … it just didn’t look like a 200 year-old man swinging a golf club.
But … will it work????
Well … yesterday (Thursday) … it worked pretty well. Those guys noticed. They said some almost complimentary things … stuff like “That wasn’t bad” … coming from them that was high praise.
Well … it’s good to be here. Nice to take a break. A road trip is good for the soul … clears your head.
Life isn’t easy. Driving in a blizzard isn't easy. Golf isn’t easy. Owning a golf course isn’t easy. We have to be able to change. But we also have to be patient. Keep plugging forward … making changes as needed … but keeping patient in the process. And making the best of it as we go.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351