TV and Manners and Golf
TV and Manners and Golf
Greetings Golfers,
People keep asking me about Tiger and Rory’s TGL … and Bryson DeChambeau’s YouTube golf show.
Well, confession time: I haven’t seen either one yet. I will watch them eventually—I’m just not sure how often. I genuinely wish them the best. I’m all for golf taking on more of a role in pop culture. Golf is versatile—it can wear many hats. That doesn’t mean I’ll love every hat it tries on. I like food too, but that doesn’t mean I’m up for gas station sushi or whatever it is they’re serving at that “bacon air” restaurant downtown.
Speaking of TV, I have been watching some other shows. Currently, I’m hooked on A Gentleman in Moscow and Land Man. One’s about a Russian royal sentenced to live in a fancy hotel after the 1917 Revolution, and the other is about a wildcat oilman drilling for Texas tea in Midland. So basically, one guy is navigating aristocratic exile, and the other is playing high-stakes poker with dynamite. Light, easy-watching stuff.
Oddly enough, these shows have more in common than you’d think. Both main characters are trapped—one by a revolution and a hotel concierge, the other by the high-octane chaos of oil drilling. They’re also both excellent at one thing: dealing with the messy reality of life.
Here’s the kicker: the Russian royal’s good manners are almost his undoing. The Communists saw politeness as a symbol of oppression, so they decided to do away with it altogether. I guess yelling “Do you want fries with that, comrade?” became the new polite. The problem with abandoning good manners is that it leads to the world of “might makes right.” And nothing says, “We’ve truly evolved as a society” like a playground brawl with nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, our oilman in Texas? Brutal industry, dangerous job, but the guy still treats people with respect—even when he’s knee-deep in crude oil and chaos. That’s what makes the show watchable. It’s not just explosions and drama; it’s about dignity.
Now, let’s circle back to golf. Down here in the South, good manners are the norm. Sure, some people use them as a cover for being phony—like saying “bless your heart” when what they really mean is “you’re as sharp as a bowling ball.” But bad manners? No.
Golf, in its purest form, is a breeding ground for good manners. You’re sharing a course with others. If you’re rude or selfish, it’s impossible to hide. And as for the whole “hyper-quiet on the course” thing? I’ve never been a fan. It’s less about courtesy and more about narcissism.
So yes, I’ll give those new golf shows a shot. Golf’s trying new “menus,” and I’m always open to tasting something different. But just like any restaurant, I’ve got to like the food and the atmosphere. Here’s hoping they nail that vibe of mutual respect—and maybe even sprinkle in a little fun!
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com