Spirit of the Law
Greetings Golfers,
Years ago, when I went to the first tee at a former local golf course, they had a pole with signs telling you what you couldn’t do. I guess one pole wasn’t enough … they had another pole and it was also filled with rule signs.
I’m not making this up. Each sign was different … looked like they added new signs every year - maybe every month … I don’t know.
The message was clear … they had no confidence in the golfers. And - it seemed to me - no respect for the golfers.
The culture was more of a police-state than a friendly golf course.
I love clarity. I hate misunderstandings. But, does everything have be spelled out? I’m talking basic decency - not nuances.
Meaning: “Do not punch people in the face” shouldn’t have to be said … but (maybe) “No sunflower seeds” needs to be said. Some people don’t realize that sunflower seeds cause problems - especially on the greens. (We have a weekly “seed” culprit … his identity is a mystery).
This is where we get into the battle of The Spirit of the Law vs The Letter of the Law.
Common sense tells us that hurting people or taking their stuff is not acceptable. That type of behavior shouldn’t need to be articulated with signs.
More laws and more signs are not the answer. Almost 2,000 years ago, the Roman Tacitus said: “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.”
At first, that quote seems backwards. However, if the laws are clear and simple and people are basically civilized … the fewer the better.
Having more laws gives unscrupulous people more chances for manipulation and finding loopholes. It becomes a game.
We all know it’s wrong to violate someone else - either their person or their property.
But some people love to play “gotcha”. And some people love to play “I didn’t know because nobody told me.”
These people are made for each other. A constant game between control freaks and slippery con-men.
I think our society would be better off without either group … but that’s not my call. However, I certainly don’t want their attitudes influencing how we run DRGC.
So … you won’t see a pole with a bunch of rule signs on our first tee. We believe that you know how to act.
However, we do have a sign saying “No sunflower seeds”. I’m offering a big reward if you catch this culprit!
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Ya Gotta Believe
Greetings Golfers,
On July 9, 1973 … the NY Mets were 34-46 and in last place in the National League East. That night at a team meeting, Tug McGraw yelled-out “Ya Gotta Believe!” … which became their anthem as they went on to win the National League pennant.
I kept thinking of that crazy saying while watching the last round of last week’s PGA Championship.
Was Phil’s victory as amazing as the Mets in 1973? Yes. Even more amazing. I still can’t believe it (I was trying to believe!).
Obviously Phil is ridiculously talented. He won a PGA Tour event while still in college. And 30 years later wins a Major as a Senior. Amazing.
If Tiger Woods hadn’t come along … Phil might have dominated … and have become Jack II. Who knows?
He was always a wizard with a sand wedge … and as he says “hits bombs”. Even at 50, he hits “bombs”.
However, his nickname was “Phil the Thrill” … because safe was never the name of his game.
And safe was never the name of his life outside of golf. He was outspoken … and a legendary gambler.
And though he was outspoken … I never thought he seemed sincere. I thought he was arrogant with a fake “folksiness”. That he was smarter than everyone and that life was just a game to be played.
Maybe. Those were just my perceptions.
However, his behavior after winning the PGA was impressive. He was respectful. Respectful of the Wanamaker Trophy … respectful of the other players in the field … and respectful of the fans and interviewers. His post-game interview with the guys from the Golf Channel was perfect. Insightful, thoughtful, generous, funny, and even wise.
His charm seemed genuine.
I guess “Ya Gotta Believe!”
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Rambling Man
Greetings Golfers,
I’ve been out-of-town … so that’s my excuse for this rambling blog.
Where was I? Glad you asked! An old high-school buddy invited me to play Cypress Point. He set-it-up and asked if I was in … took me almost a second to say yes.
I never leave DRGC during the season … but had to do it. Was it good? Yeah. Even better than I hoped – how often does that happen? The setting and scenery are ridiculous … the course design is equally good … and the simple, friendly atmosphere was perfect … it stayed out of the way … the focus is the golf course.
Here’s a leap: About 10 years ago, I wrote in this blog that my caddy at the Kiawah Ocean Course said that the average score he looped for was 125. Average. Obviously the boys this week won’t have those scores … but, they’re the best in the world.
I love that recreational golfers can play these unbelievable golf courses. However, I don’t think that those courses should be used as models for most golf courses.
Not only did Cypress demand accurate shot-making … you also needed to shape the ball with draws and cuts. Or, just be a bomber who can blow it over the landing zones and have a short iron into those tricky greens.
Here’s what I’m saying: on the par 5 number 6 hole at Cypress, the tee shot needed to be aimed at the right edge of the bunker and drawn a little left to the narrow landing zone. Then the next shot had to be hit across the fairway aimed at a tree and also drawn so it could roll down the hill to where the fairway opened wide. Two pretty sophisticated shots. But, my caddy showed me where Dustin Johnson just drove it over everything and landed in that wide area. Well, that was never intended to be the landing area.
It’s like playing chess and not moving the pieces … just jumping over everything and saying Checkmate!
Obviously power is part of the game … but when the technology has changed the distances so that these players just fly over these demanding landing zones into the wide areas … and then have wedges for second shots … what’s the point?
I know … I’m old and don’t have any swing speed … but this is about the game of golf – not me. I loved trying to hit these shots … my lack of distance matched the original design. In fact, I had to hit driver on #16 … 220 yards over the ocean to the green. (Hit it to the left fringe … chipped close and missed the putt – of course).
What I’m trying to say … is that I love all of the variety of golf courses. And I love that we can play what the best play. And though they have different games than we do … I’d like to see them challenged with more shotmaking … rather than just power and wedges and good putting.
And, I think there should be more courses that are just plain easier for the average player.
A local business magazine prints articles about golf. They always finish the article with a list of the toughest courses in Minnesota. Hmmmm. Difficult means good?
Cypress was difficult … and good. Very good. Not tricked-up or just unfair like some “difficult” courses.
I loved it … and am very grateful. Thanks Curt.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
A True Gentleman
Greetings Golfers,
We all admire a good golf swing when we see it. It’s even more impressive in person than on television. What really stands out is that it’s strong and purposeful … and yet graceful at the same time.
It’s the same when encountering a really special person – they have those same qualities. We are graced with such a person at DRGC. I’m not going to say his name – he would be embarrassed. He blows my mind every time I see him … just like when I see a great golf swing.
This fellow is 90 years old. And his “golf swing” is still amazing. He’s played here for at least 20 years … and the consistency to his “swing” is unbelievable … this is not a con man.
Why am I so enamored? Because of his manners. They are the real deal. Not just some affectation … but, they come from his heart and soul.
Here’s just a minor example … but it speaks volumes. The other day he needed an extra glove because his right hand was cold. He’s a right-handed player and thus wears a left-handed glove … this was just for warmth on his other hand.
Our stock of right-handed gloves is pretty slim – we’re not Dick’s Sporting Goods. Though our staff tried to find him a glove that fit … we didn’t have what he needed. Instead of getting angry … he was thankful for the attempt to find the right glove. Sincerely thankful. Our staff was busy with our customers and phones ringing … he was aware of the situation … and appreciative – not angry.
There is a mindset that everything has to be perfect … and if it isn’t … a temper tantrum is in order. Sort of like a spoiled child who throws a fit if his sandwich isn’t served immediately … or if the crusts weren’t perfectly removed.
If the parent apologizes to the child – instead of reprimanding the bad behavior … a rude, demanding narcissist may be created.
Here’s a thought: Maybe the parent thrives-on this insanity. Maybe the parent feels bad/guilty because their household isn’t perfect. They believe that the only reason the child would misbehave … is because the parent had failed in providing the perfect environment. This is actually narcissism … not kindness. Real kindness would not allow this terrible behavior. People need to learn to be responsible for their behavior. Narcissists love building Utopia to control people – not out of love.
Ok … back to our hero. He does what he does for THE RIGHT REASON. That is always his motivation. If the environment isn’t perfect … he doesn’t have a tantrum … he handles it with grace. Not weakness … not at all … I’m talking grace.
Mistakes happen. Things aren’t perfect. I’m not defending bad environments. But life isn’t perfect … we don’t live in Utopia … that isn’t a license to be rude.
We all know the difference between intentional and not. An employee who intentionally gives bad service deserves to be reprimanded. However, because a business isn’t perfect … the customer doesn’t have the right to have a tantrum. Or, if a customer starts demanding special service or breaking the rules … they need to be called-out.
Obviously, a business has to be realistic too. It’s unfair to expect customers to be perfect. At DRGC, we expect “C” level behavior. We love “B” level, but don’t expect it. Yet, we won’t tolerate “D” or “F” behavior.
Fortunately, our 90 year hero constantly demonstrates “A” level behavior.
He’s the best “player” at DRGC.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Desperado – Why Don’t You Come to Your Senses?
Greetings Golfers,
We all hear the experts talk about the importance of attitude in golf. Terms such as “focus” and “positivity” and “mental strength” seem to dominate their advice.
I agree … that’s good stuff. However, I want to talk about a different attitude … “desperation”.
Don’t be desperate on the golf course.
I know – I know … I’m supposed to give positive advice. But this needs to be talked about.
I see it happening every day at the range. The range is good for warming-up – not for finding your swing before you tee off. That’s desperation.
Playing golf as if your life depends on every shot is desperation.
People show-up with their “game-face” on … ready to beat the golf course.
Well … the golf course is going to win. Enjoy playing the golf course. You want it to be your friend. The course can feel your bad vibe and will punish you for it.
We all know people who play better after a drink(s) … the desperation goes away. They call it “aiming fluid” or a need to loosen up their body … what really helps them is that they lose their desperation!
Enjoy the round!
Think about Fred Couples … does he ever seem desperate on the golf course?
Meditation … yoga … power of positive thinking … it’s all good stuff. But what you really need is to not be desperate. And that starts in the warm-up. Hit a few balls – that’s it. Roll a few putts – that’s it.
Keep it simple. Keep it fun. Don’t become “Joe Serious”… you’ll turn desperate.
Don’t need it … enjoy it!
The golf gods will reward you. They get it.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Scientist and the Artist
Greetings Golfers,
A few years ago, I wrote a blog about the need to be a scientist and an artist. That the range is where to be a scientist … and the course is where to be an artist.
I love the science of the golf swing. How and why it works. But golf needs to be played with feel and intuition … you need to be an artist on the golf course.
So … what about “rangefinders”?
I’m all for course knowledge and strategy. Just hitting random golf shots doesn’t make much sense. Golf is a game.
However, the need to know within a yard where the pin is … seems a little extreme to me.
I want to know the yardage to the front of the green … and to the back of the green.
Then I’m weighing the firmness before and on the green … and the trouble behind the green.
What I’m trying to say is that I’m much more concerned about other factors than the exact yardage to the pin.
The second shot to our hole #5 is almost straight up hill … and a short shot may well roll back down the hill. Even if the pin is at the front … I’m shooting for the middle of the green.
However, if the pin on #17 is at the back … I’m shooting for the middle of the green … long is death with a back pin.
Xander Schauffele insists that he hit a solid shot on #16 at the Masters … that a breeze came up and knocked it in the water. Hmmmmmm. That shot needed to be at least pin high and right of the pin … he had a big area to shoot at. Picking the “right number” and shooting at that pin was crazy.
So … if it’s crazy for one of the best players in the world … how crazy is it for average recreational players?
I’m not saying that they shouldn’t be used … but not just for zeroing on the pin … players are better off knowing the safe area on the green … that’s what they should hitting to … and it’s probably a 10 yard area … there’s a margin of error.
The science of the rangefinder is helpful … but it needs to be used in the right way … so the artist can hit the right shot.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
April is Spring Training
Greetings Golfers,
May is only a week away.
For us, April is Spring Training. We see what’s working … try out some new players … get the staff and golfers ready for the new season.
The golf course came through the Winter in good shape … always the #1 concern. The Clubhouse, range, cart shed, maintenance facility, etc … also survived.
After keeping basically everything closed last year except for the golf course … it really feels good to be back fully open.
Though the range and practice areas are mainly for the golf experience … they can be used for just practicing. We’re generous people. However, not everyone appreciates our generosity.
Last weekend, an older fellow (my age) was practicing his chipping with about 50 balls on the putting green. I politely asked him to chip on the chipping green behind the Clubhouse. I explained that the putting green is fragile and gets a ton of use … and can get pretty beat-up by mid-Summer.
Wow! You would have thought that I tried to take away his citizenship. He went ballistic. I remained calm (at first) and tried to explain (again) why we have to protect the putting green. Then he got really nasty and insulting. I said that he didn’t have to get rude. Then he went for the kill “I was planning on buying a brat for lunch here!”
I’m still reeling from the pain of losing the sale of a brat. I guess that I just can’t see the big picture.
On a pretty cool note … a young guy on the putting green walked over to lend support … his body language made it pretty clear to our chipping buddy that he would be foolish to escalate this ridiculous confrontation.
Yes … Fun at the Run!
Except for that … the Pre-Season has been pretty smooth. The weather’s been up & down … that’s normal for April. You don’t need my annual blog about the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” episode where the weatherman manipulates his reports so that he has the course to himself. Weather apps have taken over. However, we would prefer that you try to play if the weather is iffy … cancelling at the last minute doesn’t help.
But obviously, we do want you to cancel 24 hours ahead if you can’t play … those tee-times are golden.
We do have a new idea in the works. Last year, rounds were consistently under 4 hours because no one was coming into the Clubhouse after the turn. So, to keep things flowing … we’re going to set-up a little F&B area behind the Clubhouse on hole # 10 … right in front of the stairs by the cart path turn-around.
This should eliminate the slowdown with everyone coming into the Pub with the pre-round golfers and after-round golfers already at the counter.
So … we’ll be ready for the Real Opening Day. Things are on track. In fact, we’ll happily sell you a brat at the turn.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Turn Your Swing Into A Whip
Greetings Golfers,
The golf swing shouldn’t be physically painful. Emotionally painful … that’s personal. But, I can usually help with the physical problems.
The other day at the range, a young fellow asked for help because his forearm was getting smashed in with every shot. It looked like it had been hit by a hammer. Well, he had the most violent scooping action I’d ever seen. As he made contact, he flipped the club so far under the ball that the top of the shaft crashed into his right forearm.
Though his injury was unusual, the scoop move is not unusual … in fact, it is common.
If you give golf lessons, you basically see 2 types of swings … usually made by the same person. The first one is the scoop. They think that the wrists must flip the club-head to hit the ball up in the air. The second one is the smash. When hitting the ball off a tee with a driver, they they think they need a powerful swing. And, using their shoulders – especially the right shoulder – feels very powerful. Thus, it’s an over-the-top move with little lower-body action … and it crashes down on the ball like using a sledge-hammer.
Ironically, if you reversed the two actions – scoop the teed-up-driver … and crashed down on the iron shot … they would be closer to the right moves.
However, it still wouldn’t be right. The golf swing is more of a sweep than a scoop or a smash.
But … how can a sweep have any power?
Great question … here’s how: Not only is the good swing a sweep … it is also a whip.
Try this: take a towel and tape-up the ends. Then, holding it like a golf club …swing it back waist high … and then whip it at the imaginary ball.
You will naturally pause as you make the transition to whip the towel. And, your hands will “lead” it at the ball before it snaps. You naturally won’t throw the end of the towel at the ball … there’d be no whip action.
The golf shaft should help you whip the club. Most people’s shafts are way too stiff. Of course, players with a powerful whip action need more control … thus a stiffer shaft. However, I seldom see anyone over-whipping their shaft. In fact, I almost never see shaft whip … ever.
In Tommy Armour’s great book “How To Play Your Best Golf All The Time” … he has a chapter called “The Pause that Means Good Timing”. What he means is the pause that is the transition from the backswing to the forward swing. That pause happens naturally if the backswing is a windup to whip the club into the ball.
Last week’s winner of the Masters – Hideki Matsuyama – has a distinct pause … and I think it really helps him under pressure. I just heard that they’ve been trying eliminate his pause … hmmmmmmm.
Think of the golf swing as a whipping action. You’ll notice that your lower body will start working – naturally.
This whip swing should not be a painful action. At least not to you. Instead, inflict pain on the ball … and this whip move is the best way to do it.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
For the Love of the Game
Greetings Golfers,
Ah … Masters week. My favorite golf tournament. When I went in 1995, it felt as comfortable as if you & I invited over some friends and family to have a little golf tournament.
However, when I went back in 2006, it felt more “big time” … I guess some people like that.
But it’s hard to destroy the roots of anything. Bobby Jones and Cliff Roberts wanted to create a simple, warm, friendly golf tournament for the best players in the world.
This is how Mr. Roberts concludes his book “The Story of Augusta National Golf Club” : “I would like in conclusion to make the observation that those with talent who give unselfishly of themselves just because they love golf are entitled to one uncomplicated place where they can feel completely at ease.”
For the love of the game.
When I was a boy, we played neighborhood sports all year long. Make-shift hockey goals, crazy boundaries for football, unique rules for baseball … we made it work so we could play games that we loved.
I wish golf were more like that. Everywhere at every course. Not that golf has to be the same everywhere … I just mean more of a love of the game and less focus on incidentals.
Speaking of good people who loved the game golf … we lost one of the best last week – Jon Swanson, PGA. Jon was the first golf professional at Deer Run GC. Jon was here for the 1990 season, then went up to Purple Hawk in Cambridge for 18 years. Jon was as good as it gets. R.I.P.
Respectfully,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Olympics and Pity-Parties
Greetings Golfers,
The number one player in the world – Dustin Johnson – recently announced that he’s not playing in the Olympics. He’s more interested in the normal golf season.
Not exactly big news. Golf in the Olympics is not exactly the Masters. It can’t be. Only a few players can represent each country. I think America got a special exemption to have four players. England has two players, etc. Obviously it can’t be much of a field.
I used to love the Olympics. But, when it went from being the Mecca of amateur sports to allowing professionals … I lost interest. Professional sports already had their championships.
The reason we all loved the 1980 “Miracle” USA hockey team was that they were amateurs. Especially because they beat the “amateur” Russians. The fact that the Russians seemed to violate the spirit of amateur competition added to their status as villains.
So … it was smart to use the villains as the new model?
What I mean is, why open the Olympics to professional athletes? The beauty and charm of the Olympics was its purity … amateur athletics.
So did they think the constant “human interest” stories during the televised coverage of the Olympics made it ok? Actually, those non-stop stories are annoying. And, I’m a cornball who loves such stories. But, not when I’m trying to watch competition.
Televised golf has even jumped on this bandwagon. A few weeks ago, Justin Thomas won the Players Championship by one shot. His play during the last few holes flirted with disaster. I wanted to hear how and why he did what he did. So, right after his victory, they stuck a microphone in his face and the first question was about … Tiger Woods. Huh? Really? How insulting to Justin … and to the audience. But it got worse. The next question was about the recent passing of his grandfather. He couldn’t reply because he was so choked-up. Ugh. I could just hear some producer saying to the interviewer “Perfect – I got a great shot of a tear rolling down his face”. Talk about shameless exploitation.
High level competition is fascinating to watch. Extreme skill tested under extreme pressure is amazing and doesn’t deserve to be cheapened by sentimentality. That’s insulting to the contestants. Those who overcome especially difficult odds to reach such heights … deserve to be treated with the respect given to such achievement … not diminish it by cheesiness or pity-parties.
I hear from family members that shows such as “American Idol” and “Shark Tank” have devolved into sentimentality instead of the actual competition. If the focus is on their back-story instead of the competition … it’s insulting to them.
If the back-story is really compelling … they can go on “Oprah” … that’s what she does. But, if I want to watch high-level competition – sport or anything – I’m not tuning into a talk-show.
Dustin Johnson and his finance Paulina Gretzky are made for an “Oprah” type show. Fine. But he doesn’t need to play golf in the Olympics. And the Olympics doesn’t need him … or any other professional athletes.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Enemy of Personal Service
Greetings Golfers,
I’m kind of an old-fashioned guy. Not just because I’m old … I had most of my same values and core ideas when I was in college. However, my attitudes changed quite a bit from high school to college. Mainly, because I worked while I went to college and began to deal with the real world.
But even in my most youthful, naive stages … I always valued relationships over everything else. And, communication is probably the key to relationships (integrity is at least a close second-place).
So, I’m a big fan of email. It’s a great way to communicate. Of course it doesn’t come close to face-to-face communication … but it’s great for sending messages and information. It can be simple and straight-forward … or you can spice it up.
What I really like about email … is that you can read it at your convenience. Many days I don’t have a free minute … and I can check emails after work … or in the middle-of-the-night (I’m not the best sleeper).
Not only is it convenient … it’s not intrusive. I hate being in a conversation or a meeting that is interrupted by a phone call. 99% of them are not urgent. They’re just rude and demanding.
Can you imagine running around all day just barging into people’s homes and offices? Well, that’s most phone calls.
Because we value personal service at DRGC … we are trying to limit the phone. Calling the front desk for tee times disrupts the face-to-face service at the desk. Please make your tee-times on line.
If you have any issues about anything … please send me an email. If we can’t resolve it over email … then we can get together.
Please use our website for information. If something still isn’t clear … please send me an email.
We love and value service. Personal service. We want you to have a great experience while you’re here. We don’t want that experience interrupted.
Email and websites are great tools for information. I couldn’t do this blog without computers. I have no issue with the modern world so long as it’s making things more personal and simpler.
Though I’m old-fashioned … I think you’ll enjoy this video about calling a Pro Shop. It was made 10 years ago … I’m sure that most tee times since then are being made over the internet. However, it’s still pretty funny. (link) Enjoy!
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Opening Information
Greetings Golfers,
The golf season is upon us in Minnesota. Our “normal” opening date is April 4. However, March has been so mild that we are planning to open on Monday, March 29.
The tee sheet will open today. Click HERE to book online your tee time.
When we open on Monday … we’ll open everything at once: golf course, range, and clubhouse.
Yet, we will still have the same check-in arrangement at the range-shack that we had last year.
Ironically, we learned a lot last year. How to simplify and do what matters … and do it well. Not try to too many things. Less is more.
Speaking of doing things well … last year we were invited to be part of a group of courses that do things well. We are honored to be among the “Elite Eight”.
Below is their informational letter:
The Elite 8 Golf Club Is Back
And with this exclusive membership you will get one round with cart at each of these Elite 8 courses for just $499 +taxes.
Every one of these courses is a Gem:
The Wilds, Troy Burne, Legends Club, Royal Golf Club,
Deer Run Golf Club, White Eagle, Prestwick,
The Meadows at Mystic Lake
These are courses that typically don’t offer discounts and there will be only a limited number of Elite 8 memberships available, So if you’re interested in this program act now.
Not only will you get a great deal, but you’ll be able to bring 3 guests to each course for just $70+tax each. And there will be opportunities throughout the year to participate in some special events for E8 members.
Check out the details at
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Perfect is the Enemy of Good
Greetings Golfers,
Our cable television provider doesn’t offer NBC … which we just found out last Sunday as we tried to watch the last round of the Players Championship.
So … we watched an old episode of “Feherty” featuring Rory McIlroy. Rory is great for golf. Such a likable guy. Yet, when he told Feherty that he doesn’t play golf for fun anymore … it made me sad … sad for Rory and sad for all of us hearing it. Sam Snead played forever … so did Arnie … they loved to play golf!
Rory also talked about how they’ve “improved” his swing over the years. Hmmmm. Rory won 3 Majors before age 25 … only Jack & Tiger had done it before Rory. I guess his swing needed “improvement”.
He shot 79 last week in the first round and wasn’t close to making the cut. He said he doesn’t play for fun anymore … well, it shows.
Rory is not a robotic person. Bryson Dechambeau is.
I’d take Rory out of the gym … get rid of his staff of “experts” … and have him start playing golf for fun … with juniors.
Probably my favorite saying is “Perfect is the enemy of good”.
Because it’s true.
Now, that’s not an excuse to not be good. Actually, perfectionism is an excuse for bad behavior … and a weapon used by mean spirited people to attack anyone and anything.
In fact, I’m thinking of posting that saying in the Clubhouse. Its message is at the heart of the desired culture at Deer Run GC.
Golf is not a game of perfect. Life is not a game of perfect.
I just finished reading Steve Elkington’s “Five Fundamentals”. One morning after putting poorly in a tournament, Elk complained about it to his neighbor Jackie Burke. So, Burke took him over to his golf course – The Champions – and had Elkington putt a few. Well, on the wet, dewy green … Elk made a 15 footer on his first try. As Burke started walking into the Clubhouse, he said “Come find me after you make another one on the exact same line”.
What Burke meant was that putting is more about speed than the perfect line. Elkington began to realize that the putt can go into the hole in different ways.
Yes.
Elkington had gotten too “perfect” to putt well. Rory is trying to get too perfect … he doesn’t play for fun anymore.
Golf is more fun when we’re good … but it’s not much fun when we’re trying to be perfect. Good course, good conditions, good friends … good as it gets. Did I say perfect? No. Let the haters obsess on perfect.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Characters at Sawgrass
Greetings Golfers,
We all have experienced the saying “It’s a small world” … especially on a golf course. You’re out-of-town and play golf and get paired-up with strangers … and by the 5th hole you’ve become old friends who have a bunch of mutual friends.
Well, maybe I’m exaggerating … but not much. The weirdest of those type of experiences I’ve had was 25 years ago at the TPC Sawgrass Course – the site of this week’s Players Championship. As I introduced myself on the first tee, one of my playing partners said that he knew a girl from my hometown … I asked her name … it was my wife’s maiden name. Seriously.
But, it got weirder. The other player in our 3some, said that this TPC was his favorite course and he played it whenever he was in town. However, he said that it was difficult and that he usually lost a lot of balls. He proceeded to unzip the huge storage compartment on the side of his golf bag that usually held a jacket … but he had it full of golf balls … 50 balls … maybe a 100.
Hmmmmmmm.
It was a difficult golf course. But not crazy hard. You needed to be in control … but not perfect. I thought it was fair and fun. Actually, I expected it to be much more diabolical.
We had nice weather and a good time. My wife’s buddy was a decent player … but the other fellow was not. After 9 holes, he refilled the side of his golf bag in the Golf Shop. I’m not making this up. He was not a slow player … though he lost a ball on almost every swing. I’ve never seen anything like it. And, he enjoyed every minute of it.
The island green on the par 3 17th hole is fun. And very playable. But we weren’t playing in a tournament. If you’re leading the tournament and that’s your 71st hole … wow … that would be a very difficult shot.
You would need the happy-go-lucky attitude of that guy with the bag full of balls … but a lot more talent.
These PGA Tour guys are ridiculously talented. It will be fun watching them navigate the course this weekend. Will Bryson DeChambeau keep it going and over-power the TPC? He could. He’s not just long … he’s in control of his irons … and he has a great short game. But what he really has is confidence. He totally believes in his technique.
Do I recommend his technique? No. He’s a mad man … the mad scientist of golf. He’s golf’s Dr. Frankenstein … and also the monster Dr. Frankenstein created.
The famous story is a warning about meddling with nature and the dangers of being obsessive. The monster came back and ruined the Doctor’s life.
We’ll see. DeChambeau is certainly playing amazing golf. Will it destroy his body? How about his personality?
I wish him well … but I hope he’s not the future of golf.
We meet interesting people on the golf course … I like unique people … even guys who lose a 100 golf balls during a round … but they’re human beings … not created monsters.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Know Thyself
Greetings Golfers,
Though I’m not back home yet … the rumor is that it’s warming-up quickly and will stay warm.
Warm enough to open golf courses in Minnesota? Probably. Open all courses? No. Golf courses are not uniform. That’s a good thing. In fact, I think we need more variety of golf courses.
Trying to be “everything to everyone” is not a good model. If you’re the only course in your area – such as rural Minnesota … you have a responsibility to provide for everyone. However, in a highly populated Metro area such as ours … people are looking for more of a rifle-shot than a shotgun-scattershot.
Think about this in terms of restaurants. If you try a new restaurant and the menu has everything: Mexican, Chinese, Steaks, Seafood, Ribs, French, Italian, Vegan, etc … well, you know that probably most of it is bad … they can’t do all of those things well.
So … customers become frustrated and stop returning … so they lower their prices and thus need to buy lower quality food … the spiral of death begins.
And of course, everyone is going to tell them how they should be doing it … and most of those ideas will be self-serving … and the restaurant is right back to what got them in trouble in the first place.
This happens to big companies too. Yesterday I was talking to a golf sales rep at a local golf course. He was proud that his company was staying focused on who they are and getting better at what they do. We talked about the many companies that we’ve seen who do something really well, and then try to do everything. For example … a company that makes great drivers, then expands into other golf clubs … that’s ok … but, when they dive into clothing, etc … they usually do it poorly and stop making great drivers. The reason they were successful in the first place is then lost in the mess.
Running a golf course is also like parenting … you have to say no. You can’t let the kids run wild. Is it fun saying no? Not for most of us … but it has to be done … otherwise it becomes a circus … and the bullies take over.
So, will we open next week? No. Will other courses? Probably. That’s a good thing. I’ll probably play at one of those courses. But it doesn’t mean it’s right for us.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Golf’s Holy War
Greetings Golfers,
I usually receive a lot of responses after my Friday blogs. Just for the record … the record number was after my blog about losing my dog – Harvey.
However, last week’s generated quite a few. An old friend responded and recommended that I read the book “Golf’s Holy War: The Battle For The Soul Of The Game In An Age Of Science”.
It’s great – I also recommend it. The author – Brett Cyrgalis – provides wonderful history and a clear view of the battle between the artists and the scientists over the game of golf … and especially the battle over the golf swing.
So … as I was reading the book … I kept thinking about a book that dealt with these issues … in 1946.
You also have to read “On Learning Golf” by Percy Boomer. Percy wrote it in 1946 at age 60 and died 3 years later. His title says it all … learning golf.
Percy understood the science and mechanics of the golf swing as well as anyone. And, he was just as aware of the art of the golf swing. But, he realized that what people really needed, and why he wrote the book … “was to give you an account of the relation between the physical and psychological in golf – a relationship which lies at the root of every form of CONTROL – of both individual shots and of one’s game as a whole”.
Percy believed that you developed a good golf swing by developing certain feels that are the building blocks of a good swing. His understanding of the proper mechanics AND the psychology of playing are what gave him the necessary balance of right and left brain to teach the golf swing.
I’ve heard for years that Hogan took a lesson from Percy in 1946 and had a copy of his book constantly with him at the practice tee. Hogans book “The Five Fundamentals” makes much more sense after you’ve read “On Learning Golf”.
Of course, things have happened since 1946. The biggie was Homer Kelley’s “The Golfing Machine” … and now we have Trackman, etc to provide and quantify data.
That information may not give you the proper “feels” needed for a good golf swing. They actually could be diametrically opposed. I got into a pretty heated argument about this with a famous golf instructor during a Titleist Staff day at Hazeltine years ago.
So … does anybody now swing the golf club better than Ben Hogan?
As I said … I recommend “Golf’s Holy War”. But, I also recommend “On Learning Golf”.
In fact … read them together. And let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Kurt Vonnegut and Bob Rotella
Greetings Golfers,
Sports psychologist, Dr. Bob Rotella, helps athletes deal with “an achievement oriented society.”
What does that mean? Isn’t achievement a good thing? I believe it is … but not if it defines who you are. I hope deeper and more controllable things such as your character define you.
Here’s a great story from Kurt Vonnegut:
“When I was 15, I spent a month working on an archeological dig. I was talking to one of the archeologists one day during our lunch break, and he asked those kind of “getting to know you” questions you ask young people: Do you play sports? What’s your favorite subject? I told him no, I don’t play any sports, I do theater, I play the violin and piano, I used to take art classes.
And he went WOW! That’s amazing! And I said “Oh no, but I’m not good at ANY of them.”
And he said something then that I’ll never forget and which absolutely blew my mind because no one had ever said anything like it to me before. “I don’t think being good at things is the point of doing them. I think you’ve got all of these wonderful experiences with different skills, and that all teaches you things and makes you an interesting person, no matter how well you do them”.
And that honestly changed my life. Because I went from being a failure, someone who wasn’t talented enough at anything to excel, to someone who did things because I enjoyed them. I had been raised in such an achievement-oriented environment, so inundated with the myth of Talent, that I thought it was only worth doing things if you could “Win” at them.”
Wow!
I wonder if Vonnegut played golf?
Obviously Vonnegut found out he had talent as a writer … but, I believe him when he said that this realization changed his life.
And, I’m sure that Dr. Rotella has seen similar changes in attitude help the professional athletes he works with. If your total self worth depends on every golf swing … you’ll wind-up like Jimmy Piersall in the movie “Fear Strikes Out” (mental institution)
I think there is a lot of confusion in our society over this issue. Because we put so much emphasis on achievement, we think that giving everyone a trophy solves the problem.
That’s the worst thing we can do. Not only are we over emphasizing the value of achievement … we’re rewarding NOT ACHIEVING. That is madness.
The emphasis should be on character. Then, winning the trophy is just icing on the cake … and we can be honest about achieving.
Years ago, I worked for a GM who wanted to run the golf course the way he had run the famous theater he worked for. He told me that every actor in his plays could do each other’s role … and he thought we should do it at the golf course. Hmmm. So I replied, “You want the Green Keeper to run the restaurant, the restaurant manager to give golf lessons, the bookkeeper to run the grounds crew, etc?”
If you knew those people, you knew it was ridiculous. Setting up people to fail is not kind. His intentions were misguided (at best). He was an arrogant fellow. He had sort of a God-complex … probably sincerely thought he could remake people.
I think we need to identify our strengths and weaknesses … and earn a living by using those strengths.
However, we shouldn’t limit our activities to what we’re good at.
It’s healthy to be “an achievement oriented society” … that’s how a healthy society functions.
But to be a happy and interesting person, we need to put our achievement in perspective and not let it define us, and not let it keep us from doing a lot of things we might enjoy – talented or not.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Nonsense or Common Sense
Greetings Golfers,
In 1914, John Alexander Smith, Professor of Moral Philosophy at Oxford, said “ if you work hard and intelligently, you should be able to detect when a man is talking rot, and that in my view is the main, if not the sole purpose of education.”
How good is that? All day, every day … we are bombarded with ads and news stories and people telling us stories … we better be able to discern “when a man is talking rot”.
Recently, I was asked to review a manual for people interested in buying a golf course. It was not “rot”. It was spot-on.
As I replied to the writers, most people who buy a restaurant don’t really know what they’re getting themselves into. It consumes their life … the constant problems, the expenses, the pressure, and the never ending long hours … and they can’t walk away … they’re invested and on the hook.
Well, owning a golf course is that times 10. Maybe I’m exaggerating … but I’m not speaking rot.
Think about it … it includes a restaurant, and a shop, and a range, and 150 acres of land, and a maintenance facility, and daily play, and leagues, and events … and the other usual parts of business such as budgeting, accounting, legal, marketing, and staff.
I guess it’s just all fun & games. Like the people who buy a resort Up North and never have the time to fish.
They asked for a quote, so I said something to effect of “that what new owners really need, is to figure out who their market is and nail it so that their course feels like home to that market. That aspect is the most challenging, yet the most satisfying, and the key to success”.
On that same vein, I want to talk about Rory McIroy’s comments last week. Rory thought the golf powers-that-be were wasting time and money on researching the effect that distance is having the game. He said that other things are more important for the health of golf and to grow the game.
I basically agree. However, I do believe that the modern drivers and ball have hurt golf at the Tour level.
Imagine if Major League Baseball players could use metal softball bats. The game as we know it would be ruined. Half-hit balls would still be home-runs. And solid hits would fly out of the stadium. The game would become ridiculous and would need ball parks … and we couldn’t compare previous feats and records to the new game.
That’s not improving. That’s going backward. Just because something is new, doesn’t mean it’s better.
That sort of thinking is “rot”.
Golf needs to seriously look at “bifurcation” … Tournament Golf and Recreational Golf are two different games. And should not be governed with the same rules.
MLB and Recreational Softball are two different games.
Golf course owners should put pressure on golf’s powers-that-be … for the good of the game.
As I said … know your market … well, the market for 99% of golf courses is not the PGA Tour … it’s recreational golfers.
Though Professor Smith made his pronouncement back in 1914 … his point will never change … we need to know when “a man is talking rot” … and the golf world is full of a lot of agendas that are not good for the game.
Golf needs more people with common sense.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Heroes and Villains
Greetings Golfers,
I’m sure that you’ve heard about the Patrick Reed controversy … maybe even heard more than you want to. Well, here’s some more anyway.
During this latest uproar, I read a funny article that described Reed as the villain you don’t love to hate – you just hate. Perfect. He’s not interesting. He’s just a jerk.
The article said that not only does the Tour not have interesting villains … it doesn’t have interesting heroes. I agree. Dustin Johnson? no. Justin Thomas? ok. Rory? almost. Ricky Fowler? nice.
The other night, my wife and I watched “Ford vs Ferrari”. Very enjoyable. Because the main characters were really likable and interesting. The Ford executives? Not so much.
Well, it seems to me that the PGA Tour is trying to be those Ford executives. That’s not a good thing. Not for golf.
We don’t want fake drama like All-Star wrestling used to do with Verne Gagne and the boys … but we do want humanity … we want to know these guys.
Remember in the baseball movie “Bull Durham” when Costner tells the young pitcher going to the Major Leagues that when he gets to the “Show”, not to speak the truth … just say boring cliches when interviewed.
That can work for MLB or the NFL … those sports have a natural audience because they represent a city … people respond to that loyalty.
Well … the PGA Tour doesn’t have that … they have individuals. People need to relate to those players. It’s not enough that they’re good – they are really good. But, if they aren’t interesting … no one cares … not really.
Obviously, I’m making movie references … yeah, I’m watching too much TV lately … like most of us during this lock-down. All the more reason for the Tour to shine … people are watching television.
Here’s another movie analogy … if my wife and I don’t really like the main character … we don’t like the movie. We don’t care how much they “spice” it up with action, sex, exotic settings, etc … it doesn’t hold our interest … we don’t care.
Same with the Tour. If we don’t care about the players … it’s hard to care about how they play. However, the PGA and its sponsors are afraid that some guys will be “out of bounds”. Maybe that would be a good thing … there would be real villains. We’re grownups … we can handle it. And, we would like to see real heroes. Not those made for TV vignettes they show during the Olympics … we want to see real human beings. Some will be heroes … some will be villains … some will be boring.
But at least they won’t be robots. People trying to turn humanity into robots are the real villains.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
LAG
Greetings Golfers,
Let’s talk golf swing. The common denominator in all good swings is “lag”.
From Bobby Jones to Rory McIlroy … they all had lag … it’s pretty obvious in the videos … and even more obvious in real life.
There’s a great video of Hogan talking about how the hips should start the downswing … and he beautifully demonstrates how it creates lag. (Watch video HERE).
Most of the talk and instruction is about how the body – the lower body creates lag.
Moe Norman has a great video showing how he creates lag by moving laterally and creating lag. (Watch video HERE).
So is it weight shift? Or hip turn? Or both?
Let’s get there in a minute.
I want you to first feel lag with a little drill … and not as a result of the lower body.
Take a club and make a little half-swing figure 8. Seriously, this gives you the right feel. Feel like you’re swinging waist high … don’t go higher than shoulder height. On the backswing, swing it a little out and then loop into your body … then swing it out away from you and loop it back to your body … and then without stopping … start it all over again. Keep the whole swing below waist high.
As you do this … feel the transitions … that’s lag!
This is the feeling you need to incorporate into your golf swing.
So … do you want to feel the opposite of lag? Sure you do … you need to identify the wrong feeling. Ok, do the figure 8 the opposite of what you did. Meaning, swing the club back to the inside … then loop it out and around yourself … then swing it back to and past your body … then loop it back out … and bring it back at your body and start all over again.
That’s the feeling of coming over-the-top … the death move.
I think that a lot of modern golf swings flirt with that over-the-top move … and then save it with unbelievable lower-body action. Ugh. That type of swing puts too much stress on the body.
You don’t want to need your lower body to save your swing. I hate to admit that my swing relied too much on good leg action. As I got older … and if I walked instead of rode … or played multiple days in a row … my swing changed (that’s being kind).
Last year down here, I played with a local Pro and his assistants … we walked and carried … I shot 35-45. If we’d played another 9, I probably would’ve shot 55.
So, I’ve had to do what I’m talking about. The figure 8 action drives my swing, and my body has adjusted to it … not the other way around.
No matter your type of swing, you need lag … and you need to be able to identify the feeling lag.
Hopefully this helps.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com