Fall Golf is Great

Greetings Golfers,

 

Fall golf is great. I know … I know … it’s not officially Fall … but in Minnesota, Fall begins right after Labor Day - not Sept. 22.

The temperature is good … the bugs are gone … and it’s just a more relaxed atmosphere. Hope it’s nice until at least Halloween.

Just read a funny article titled “The Stuffiest Country Club Stories We’ve Ever Heard” … here’s the link: https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-stuffiest-country-club-stories-weve-ever-heard-old-habits

They’re funny stories. And probably true. And those clubs have the right to do that stuff. Do I want to be a part of that? No … but why should I tell them not to? I will if they ask my opinion. But not if they don’t ask.

My issue is that for too long, people assumed that golf was like those stories. All golf courses - not just stuffy private clubs. Unfortunately, too many public courses tried to be poor versions of country clubs instead of having their own identity.  

I’ve always thought that golf courses should have a variety just like restaurants - 5 star Michelin restaurants or fast food operations or diners or steakhouses or pizza joints, etc. 

Golf hasn’t really explored its options. Take a look at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKRGPPuvA7A

Golf can be spiritual … magical … a sport … silly recreational … a snob-fest … fun … dead-serious … etc.

I think where golf courses - public, private or resort - go wrong, is when they don’t know who they are. Here are some quotes that apply: 
Voltaire - “Perfect is the enemy of good”.
Thoreau - “Our life is frittered away in detail. Simplify, simplify, simplify!”

To me, both those quotes are about greedy people who don’t live in reality. It’s like that moronic phrase “You can have it all!” No you can’t. Grow-up. And businesses and politicians are screwing things up when they promise too much. It’s easy to do … but honest people say don't.

Just listen to political speeches … or most marketing. They’re promising a way to get more for free. How does that work? It’s either a con … or someone gets screwed-over. Why not just be honest and straight-forward? Business and government should not be trying to appeal to the worst in people. If so, we’ll get a greedy, nasty society.

If a business is always offering “a deal” … why can’t they play it straight? Same with a politician. Isn’t life about trust? How can you trust those businesses or politicians?

I hear everyone on all sides of the political spectrum complain about corruption. And then proudly taking advantage of tax loopholes and beating-up people on business deals. Or is fair only for people who aren’t smart enough to take advantage?

Remember the movie “Wall Street” when Gordon Gecko said “Greed is good”? I don’t think it’s good. There are a lot reasons to be motivated - but greed is maybe the worst.

Fall golf is great. Let’s enjoy it. But when it’s over - we’re done. The golf course needs a break. Cross-country skiing, etc is not what it needs. Our staff needs a break. And our Clubhouse needs a rest. Our goal every year is to get better. Not bigger. We don’t “want it all”.

Cheers!

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com