Real People

Real People

Greetings Golfers,

Last night we watched the first two episodes of “Full Swing” season #3. Loved it. Highly recommend “Full Swing.

 
And the other morning … our Keeper of the Green - Barry Provo - told me that I’d enjoy another golf television show: TLG on ESPN.

 
Obviously, I’m late to this stuff. It’s ironic because I love that people are getting to see PGA players as human beings … not the tight-lipped guys that we see between-the-ropes during tournaments.

 
Arnold Palmer brought golf to the masses with his personality and “unique” golf swing. He was a real guy. People can’t relate to automatons.

 
I read an article last night that researchers are finding that people do not respond to politicians that seem like automatons.

 
Hmmmmm. So that got me thinking. Maybe as our society turned more centralized … meaning business and government … that the goal was to appear “perfect” with no distinctive qualities. That bland and robotic represented seriousness and expertise. Whereas “human” qualities such as enthusiasm were seen as unsophisticated and “average”.

 
However, if you look at history … strong leaders were definitely not automatons. Arnold Palmer was not an automaton. But he wasn’t an over-the-top crazy man … he was real … he was authentic.

 
These new documentaries are so popular because we want to see the person behind the mask. The documentary about racing: “Formula 1: The Drive to Survive” … is one the highest viewed tv shows. Because you get to see behind the curtain.

 
“The Wizard of Oz” had a profound effect on me. It’s basically how I’ve seen the world since I saw the movie as a little kid. And I understand the need for a curtain more than the need for a mask. I don’t like either one. But the mask … really turns me off. I can’t trust a mask-wearer.

 
And if I can’t trust a mask-wearer … how can I root for them?

 
I’m definitely not saying that quiet people need to change. Not at all. I just like and trust authentic people. Wow - what a concept!

 
I know that AI is a big deal and moving in. And … hopefully like all tools … we can use it to help mankind. Not let it take over and control our lives.

 
Ironically, I think the concept that robotic-like people are “experts” plays into the concept of AI taking over humanity rather than being a tool of humanity.

 
Why would people prefer and admire robots instead of humans? I see it in golf swings. I see people trying to take out their athleticism and replace it with a robotic golf swing.

 
I need to wrap this up. Here we go … EMBRACE YOUR HUMANITY. Doesn’t mean to be your worst version of yourself … be the best version of yourself … not as a robot … but as a human being!

Cheers,

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