Play Golf Like A Musician
Greetings Golfers,
Though I didn’t see any of it … I heard that last weekend Bernhard Langer won the US Senior Open. And that Rickie Fowler won on the PGA Tour.
Both victories were good for golf because both players are 5’9” … the perfect height for golf. I’m kidding ( I’m 5’9”). But they’re both good guys and amazingly driven. Langer is now the Senior Tour all-time winner. And Rickie remade his golf swing. Both guys could have put their golf careers on cruise and headed-off into the sunset as former stars. Instead, they ramped-up their work ethic and won.
Langer is relentless. He turned Pro 50 years ago … and never stopped tweaking and experimenting and improving. His putting woes would have killed most guys … but he found a way that works for him. Rickie realized his swing was good … but not good enough for who he wanted to be. So, he went back to Butch Harmon and rebuilt his swing.
These guys remind me of guitarists. Carlos Santana is always experimenting and improving. Jeff Beck (R.I.P.) was the best and just kept getting better. He and Eric Clapton do an amazing version of “Moon River” … check it out on YouTube.
So the other day I was listening to Santana play “Samba Pa Ti” on YouTube … and I wondered why I don’t hear anything like this anymore. I know, I know … I sound like the crabby old guy who doesn’t like anything new. But that’s not what I’m talking about. The “music” I hear in a grocery store is worse than Muzak was. This “music” is made to appeal to everyone … but it appeals to no-one. It’s as appealing as fake food.
Ironically, something that comes from the heart like Santana’s “Samba Pa Ti” actually appeals to everyone (almost) … because most people have hearts and emotions.
AI cannot make heartfelt music. Or take the place of an instructor like Butch Harmon. Rickie Fowler is not a robot. He has a new swing … but not a robotic swing. He plays golf like a musician. So does Bernhard Langer. His swing is unorthodox … but it’s the result of constant tweaking that gives him the feel and control he needs to play the shots (notes) that make him special.
Try to play golf like a musician - not a robot. I like to sing when I play golf. I was blessed with zero singing ability … so I’m not sure my playing companions appreciate my singing … but it helps my rhythm and keeps me laughing. One time in a State Open, I sang the song “Shaft” whenever I stepped onto the tee-box … probably should have kept my singing to casual golf … no one enjoyed my “musicianship”.
Even if you don’t sing while you play … at least try to have the feel and mindset of a musician.You probably won’t play like Langer or Fowler … or Santana or Beck or Clapton … but you can love it as much as they do.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com