You've Been Warned

Greetings Golfers,

This is a warning. I first thought I should start with an apology … but I think a warning is better.

I’ve been sick/ill … and still am … so this blog could be a rambling mess. You’ve been warned.

Ok … let’s start. Have you seen the documentary about Johnny Manziel? I watched some of it last night. Wow! Really fascinating. But I only watched about an hour of it before I took to my bed. Can’t wait to see the whole thing.

Obviously, Manziel was freakishly talented and needed room to use that talent. But I don’t think his ridiculous out-of-control personal life negates his need for freedom on the football field.

Just talked to a young woman building a baseball program. Her enthusiasm is inspiring. And she wants to do it for all the right reasons. I believe that sports can be wonderful vehicles for growing-up. 

People need room to grow and excel. Whether in work or sports. I think that most work and sports are too controlling. People are better than robots. They need the freedom to make a mistake. 

I don’t mean the sloppy, careless mistake - that makes me crazy. I’m talking about the normal mistakes that come from doing and trying. And … the ones that happen from pushing the boundaries - by trying to do things better than they’re done.

We’ve become way too compliant … and yet way too tolerant of bad behavior.

I think we’ve confused the two. Nowadays, lack of compliance is bad behavior. And … bad behavior - real bad behavior… is tolerated. Huh?

It’d be like in a baseball game, if a runner tried to take an extra base and got thrown out … he’s the devil. But if another guy punches the umpire in the face - that’s ok.

I think that I’m trying to say that people need freedom to thrive … yet be held responsible when they misuse it. 

Well … that’s it … it’s all I’ve got. Next week will be better. Next week, Marty Lass - legendary Pro at Edina CC - will take me on in a battle of words. Marty will tell us why he thinks Europe will win the Ryder Cup. Yours truly will be defending the US of A team.

Cheers!

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