Hospitality and Strategy
Greetings Golfers,
The other day, I was talking to a local high school basketball coach. She’s really fun to talk to. She gets sports … and she gets life.
She’s had a lot of success and it’s easy to see why. But it hasn’t been easy. Mix in kids and parents and talent (or lack of) and expectations … you’ve got the makings for a crazy stew.
However, she can deal with those ingredients and make it work.
What is her secret? I think it’s strategy.
She talked about how much fun it is to beat a talented team when you don’t have much talent.
I agree. How much fun is it to shoot a good golf score when you’re not hitting it very well? A lot of fun.
Played golf the other day with some guys in crazy windy conditions. To survive was all about strategy and short-game. But a good short-game wasn’t enough … not if you’re constantly in hazards or out-of-bounds.
Power in those conditions is only a strength if well managed. Just trying to over-power the course in that wind only leads to crazy situations.
I wanted to work-in both strategy and hospitality into this blog. Wasn’t sure how … but I think I do now. How do they both deal with power?
Hospitality : “The generous and friendly reception of guests”.
This is not a master-slave relationship.
Uncontrolled power works about as well in relationships as in golf. You’ll wind-up in bad situations … and very often out-of-bounds.
That is not winning … that is bad strategy.
The key to strategy is planning ahead. You treat people poorly … you’ll lose up the road. You hit it far but past the landing-zone into the woods … you’re in trouble.
Back to our high school basketball coach. Not only is she a master of strategy on the court … she’s a master of strategy with hospitality … she’s really good with people.
People who are really good with people … do not over-use their power. They save it. They only use it when they need to. They are friendly and generous.
And they’re fun to play golf with.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Search
Greetings Golfers,
I just watched a video of Tiger Woods asking Jon Rahm how he hits a certain cut-shot … this happened while they were playing last week at the Scottish Open.
The “search” never ends.
Not for Tiger … not for any of us. Not only the search for a better golf swing … but the search to understand how to hit different shots.
Ben Hogan hit balls at the range every day until he died. Picture this old, crippled guy still beating balls … it’s crazy … and inspiring.
Sort of like Don Quixote on his search. Lyrics from “The Impossible Dream”:
“This is my quest, to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far”.
We get it. Golf is much more than playing the game … it’s also the “search”.
Just go on-line and look at the golf instruction videos. It’s endless.
Don Quixote was portrayed as an idealist … and his side-kick Pancho was the realist. Late in the book … they flip sides. Because we need to be an idealist AND a realist.
Golf makes you a realist. The ball goes where you hit it. Not where you dream it … where you actually hit it.
However, you need to be an idealist to keep dreaming of yourself hitting beautiful shots.
Hogan was an idealist and a realist. When he started his golf equipment company … he rejected the first run of irons. They almost folded. But, he wouldn’t sell inferior quality clubs. And … he made it work.
Idealist and realist.
Looks like Tiger is trying to follow in Hogan’s footsteps. In 1953, after his accident, Hogan only played in six tournaments … and won five … including three Majors: Masters, US Open, British Open.
Tiger is crippled-up too … and this year played in the Masters and US Open … though he skipped the PGA to get ready for “The Open”. I get it. Obviously it’s at St. Andrews. He had to do it.
The “search” continues this weekend at the “Home of Golf”.
I hope it always will.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Vampires
Greetings Golfers,
Have you ever played golf with someone who sucked the energy out of your group?
All of a sudden your driver felt like it weighed a hundred pounds?
You were playing with a vampire.
They live amongst us.
They can appear charming. But not always … most just give off a vibe of superiority. They can’t help it. To them, we’re just dumb animals … but they need us for their supply … be it food/energy/money/etc. Not so much for food (they usually aren’t cannibals) … but definitely for energy and money and power.
These creatures never help. Not really. And they don’t really believe that people ever do the right thing for the right reason. Altruism is a concept that they cannot comprehend.
They are especially successful with people who are afraid to trust their gut instincts. Many kind people try to be open-minded even though their gut is telling them that someone is not a good person. I get it. But, if the alarms keep ringing … it’s wise to be wary. Maybe even wrap a scarf around your neck … those vampire teeth probably can’t bite through a scarf.
They can be clever and persuasive. They make it seem right that they can suck your blood … that somehow it’s their “right”. And if you don’t let them … you’re the bad guy.
Well … they need to be stood-up to. Not necessarily driving a stake through their heart … but stopped. And then … avoided.
I know that’s hard to do when you’re trapped with one of them on the golf course.
Golf should be an escape from the craziness of the modern world … and a chance to rejuvenate. Not 4 hours of energy depletion.
A few months ago, I saw a billboard with a big picture of a real estate agent. She looked like a vampire. I was surprised that there wasn’t blood dripping from her teeth.
And she didn’t look mean. I think she thought how she looked was “classy”.
What I’m trying to say is that looks can be deceiving. My gut says that she’s a nice person who is misguided and thinks that the vampire look is big-time.
I know vampires who do not look like the stereo-typical vampire.
So here’s my advice:
Do not deny evil … evil exists
Trust your gut
Play more golf (without vampires)
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
7 Mistakes a Round
Greetings Golfers,
Now that we’re in mid-summer … I’m hearing a lot from people struggling with their game.
Golf is usually a struggle … even for the best. No one hits every shot perfectly. Quarterbacks don’t throw every pass perfectly. Basketball players don’t make every shot. Pitchers don’t throw every pitch where they want it. Batters swing and miss.
But … batters don’t have to play their foul balls. They get another pitch.
However, golfers have to play their foul balls. So it stays in their mind. It’s hard to think you have a fresh swing after hitting a bad shot … and having to deal with where it put you.
Too often, we think that a bad shot means that we’ve lost our swing and every shot will be bad. Panic and despair set-in.
Well … Walter Hagen didn’t let panic and despair set-in … he said:
“I expect to make 7 mistakes around, so when I hit a bad shot it’s just one of 7.”
How good is that?
How good was Walter Hagen? Well … he won 11 Majors … third behind Jack(18) and Tiger(15).
Hagen also had 45 PGA Tour wins … and was a 6-time Ryder Cup captain.
He understood how to play golf. His swing wasn’t textbook … he famously swayed … and hit a bunch of errant shots. Yet he was a great putter and course manager.
But it was his attitude that made him special. Here’s another of his sayings:
“Don’t hurry, don’t worry, you’re only here for a short visit, so be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”
We still have a lot of golf left this year … let’s try to play and think like Walter Hagen.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Confessions of a Golf Fanatic
Greetings Golfers,
Just finished reading a really good article about why to play golf. Really good. And I’m using “good” instead of interesting, etc … because I love the tone and attitude of the article … it made me feel good.
A friend brought over a paper copy of the Wall Street Journal … this article is in the June 18-19 edition … it’s titled “Confessions of a Golf Fanatic”.
The author was the middle child of a big family of tennis fanatics. He wanted his own game. And he found it - golf.
Here’s some of it:
“Tennis had too many lines - too much about it was definite and repetitive. The ball goes over the net and over the net, and each time it’s either in or out. One court is pretty much like another.
Not so with golf, where there are no lines. Every hole, every shot is new, with a depth to the game that is invisible to those who don’t play.
Then there are the stories. It’s been said that in sports, the smaller the ball the better the stories. Golf is the perfect sport for stories.”
See what I mean? Just a good tone.
That tone is really important for story-telling or playing golf with people … or just getting along with people.
I love to read … that’s really something to do alone. I also love to play golf by myself.
However, I REALLY love to play golf with friends … and tell stories with friends. Playing golf with friends and telling stories during and after the round … how good is that???
This is how he wraps-up the article:
“In the end though, what I love about golf is just how expansive it is, and how expansive it makes me feel. Nothing is static. Golf is a full-throated, nothing-held-back drive. It’s a delicate pitch over a bunker. It’s the 4.25 inch cup that decides birdie, par, or bogey. It is the search for the innumerable small changes that will add up to something big.
I think this is why golfers are essentially optimists. We all want to believe that the tip we picked up on the internet last night, or the change in grip that we played out in our heads this morning, or the latest $100 gadget we just got, will be the one that makes all the difference. It probably won’t. But we dream.”
How good was that?
Hope you read it … was written by Timothy J. Carroll.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Tradition and Progress
Greetings Golfers,
This week the US Open is at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
That’s its real name “The Country Club”. It was the first country club in America … just outside of Boston.
Of course it’s full of history and tradition.
It’s biggest moment was classic American … the caddy - Francis Ouimet … beating the legendary Pro - Harry Vardon … to win the 1913 US Open.
The poor kid … the caddy … beating the best in the world at the ultimate old-school, elite country club.
A great moment for golf … and for America.
Society is always struggling with the need for Tradition and the need for Progress.
Just because something is old … doesn’t mean it is not good. Newer doesn’t mean better.
And just because something is new … doesn’t mean it’s not good. Old doesn’t mean better.
Better is better.
Progress does not mean revolution. If we’re always starting over … we have nothing to build on … we can never progress.
But never trying new ways is just being stuck.
I’m glad that golf has progressed. I love the new clubs and balls … golf course maintenance has greatly improved … I love golf carts.
But … I wish that at the Tour level, golf hadn’t “progressed”. I’d like to see these guys play venues like The Country Club with the same clubs and balls that Hogan and Nicklaus used … and have the course set-up the same way.
Here’s why … right up the road from The Country Club in Boston is Fenway Park. Fenway is basically the same ball-park that Ted Williams used to play. The reason why is because Major League Baseball still use wooden bats and the same ball (some years).
Imagine if MLB used metal soft-ball bats. Fenway Park would become obsolete and none of the records would mean anything. We can still compare apples-to-apples.
I wish the PGA Tour could do it … or at least at Majors such as the US Open.
Obviously our society is battling along the Traditional vs Modern lines. And there should always be tension between the two … tension can be healthy.
But war is not healthy. Everybody loses.
There needs to be respect between both sides. What I’m seeing is arrogance - not respect. It ain’t pretty.
Maybe golf can set the example America needs.
It can be Modern/Progressive …
And it can be Traditional …
They have to respect each other.
Not always as a merger … but letting each side do it their way. Throwing both sides into a blender isn’t a good solution … unless you like mush.
Diversity is healthy … uniformity is not.
I want to listen to straight-forward people … whether they be Modern or Traditional. But not duplicitous.
My dictionary defines duplicitous as “someone who intentionally misleads”.
The other morning I listened to a player (you know who) at a press conference who tried to be Modern and Traditional … and play both sides on every issue. He was duplicitous.
The US Open should be Traditional. It’s the nature of the beast. But if an untraditional player should win - a modern Francis Ouimet - wouldn’t that be great!
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Choices Have Consequences
Greetings Golfers,
This week is the first golf event of the LIV Tour.
Phil Mickelson came out of hiding and got the last announced spot in the 48 player field held outside of London.
Dustin Johnson had been their big name until Phil … and he signed for a supposed $125M … a little more than half of Phil’s $200M.
Wow.
Ugh.
I’m trying to slow down and be rational. But I’m overwhelmed with disgust.
This LIV Tour is sponsored by a Saudi regime that is doing this for PR reasons … not a love of golf. These are bad guys - Phil even admitted it in the interview that sent him down into Denny Green’s bunker.
In 1936, the Nazis hosted the Olympics for the same PR reasons as the Saudis.
Phil knows this is dirty money. So does DJ. So do these other guys.
Is the PGA Tour perfect? No. But that’s not the point. The PGA Tour isn’t dirty money.
One of my speeches that staff and family is tired of … explains this lack of remorse by the guys signing on the LIV Tour.
I believe that the mantra of “You can have it all” has made people crazy, angry, ruthless, and unhappy.
The best part of golf is that we have choices. If I want to ram my downhill putt … I won’t have a tap-in if I miss. If I baby the downhill putt … it might not hold its line … but I’ll probably have a tap-in if I miss.
Obviously this is analogous to everything we do.
But … a lot of people get power telling people what they want to hear. Politicians avoid talking about the choices that need to be made … instead, they tell people what they want to hear “You can have it all!”
A lot of businesses, contractors, etc … promise everything. This insanity can’t work.
“You can eat whatever you want and be healthy!”
“You can buy whatever you want and not have to worry about paying for it!”
This attitude makes people nuts. If it’s never enough … it’s never enough. If you’re always deserving/entitled to everything without negative consequences - young/old, rich/poor, etc … you end up always frustrated.
As Rory McIlroy said … his life is the same though he keeps getting richer. Rory seems to get it … though Greg Norman called him “brainwashed”.
This lack of consequences attitude applies to gamblers. We all know that gamblers never lose … that’s why casinos are always folding.
Maybe my sarcasm isn’t very funny … but gamblers like Phil wind-up needing somebody to bail them out. But, being bailed-out comes with a price. There are consequences.
So why is DJ doing this? I don’t think he cares. Concepts like loyalty and commitment don’t register with him. Just ask some divorced Tour players.
The PGA Tour gave these guys unbelievable lives. Sure, they’re good players … but getting rich and famous because of an ability to hit a ball with a stick, should come with a grateful/thankful attitude. Not flipping the PGA Tour the bird and joining an organization run by criminals.
Of course these guys have the legal right to choose the LIV Tour. Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s right.
My wife and I watch a tv show that has different writers. Our favorite writer always has conflicts between “Spirit of the Law” and “Letter of the Law” … and the characters choose “Spirit of the Law” … always at a price … but they value their integrity more. Our least favorite writer has the same conflict … but he has the SAME characters choose the “Letter of the Law”!
Don’t get me wrong. I believe in liberty. We need a society based on law. However, a healthy society will not value people who choose to do the wrong thing just because they can.
I won’t be watching the LIV Tour or supporting its players.
That’s my choice.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
A One-Lane Freeway
Greetings Golfers,
There was a good article in GOLF Magazine last week about bunker etiquette. I don’t mean etiquette like keeping your pinky-finger out when you rake the sand … I mean how do you leave the bunker so it’s playable for the people behind you.
Here’s what they said are the 5 common bunker mistakes. I’m going to shorten their commentary:
1. Entering from the high side
Getting in from the high-side doesn’t work. You could fall and you’ll make deep prints. Enter and leave on the low-side.
2. Failing to bring the rake with you
Just smart. Makes the process easier and faster.
3. Lazy raking
It’s just not respectful. One of golf’s many ways to reveal character.
4. Leaving the rake in the wrong place
This can be tricky. It can depend on the course. We prefer the rake in the bunker. It’s easy to find. Please replace it in the most reasonable spot - use your common sense.
5. Forgetting to clean shoes
Tour players are good at this. Watch how they tap their shoes after getting out of a bunker. This is to dislodge the sand before you get on the green. No one wants to putt through your mini-sand-pits.
Good stuff. We all need a refresher. As I always say … the golf course is a one-lane freeway. No one has the right to mess it up … or slow it down.
In the pursuit of not letting the pace-of-play slow down … we’re trying a new food & beverage app.
With this app, you can order food & drink and we will deliver to you.
I know … sounds too good to be true. And, if mishandled, would be too good to be true. I can’t see it covering the whole course. This is not a reason to get rid of beverage carts. We will still have sitting bev carts on holes #4 and #14. But we’re trying to keep players out of the Clubhouse after #9. That’s where the pace-of-play can slow up.
So … this app will work for holes #7 through #11. That should satisfy your needs and keep play moving.
We also have port-a-potties near #9 green and #11 tee box.
Another reason not to come in after #9.
All of this is about respect. We all want to play out of fresh bunkers … and we all want to keep pace moving. And, keep the experience fun and relaxed.
Our new bunkers are beautiful and fun to play out of. Hopefully this new app will work out as well as the bunkers. We’ve had a good pace-of-play this year … always around 4 hours even on packed weekends.
But we don’t take it for granted … and are always trying to improve and simplify.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Memorial Day
Greetings Golfers,
Can’t believe it’s already Memorial Day Weekend. How did that happen?
On Monday of this past week, we hosted a golf event fundraiser for the Minnesota Military Family Foundation.
So with Memorial Day and the MMFF on my mind … I started thinking about the military and leadership.
One of my speeches to our staff is that they were chosen … they were not assigned to us. Because they were chosen, I expect a lot from them. And I give them a lot of freedom … but with that freedom comes responsibility.
Thus a very different situation than what the military deals with during a draft. Of course military leaders need to possess the same leadership skills as other leaders.
What I’m referring to is the difference in what they can demand and expect.
For example, when I hire our staff, I tell them that I have few rules because I expect a certain level of behavior … if I have to tell them “No stealing - no fighting - no lewd behavior, etc” … I’ve hired the wrong people.
It’s all about liberty. The human soul yearns for freedom. However, freedom doesn’t come easily.
America’s “War of Independence” was a miracle. The U.S. Constitution is a miracle. The Bill of Rights is a miracle.
And this miracle of a nation needs to be defended. Our military has defended our freedom for almost 250 years.
But freedom can be easily taken for granted. That’s a big mistake. When freedom is gone … it’s not easy to get it back.
When I interview potential staff, I look for people who will thrive in our freedom based culture. So, I need to do “unique” interviews. Sometimes I get people who come in with the “perfect” resume and are well-trained for the typical interview. But can they deal with working with the public? Can they deal with things when they aren’t “perfect”?
So, the interview needs to go a little off-the-rails. I don’t mean crazy … but definitely not text book. That’s when I see who they really are. When their mask comes off … the interview either dies … or takes off.
Freedom is a good test of character and self-reliance.
A healthy nation needs citizens with good character and self-reliance. And its leaders need to exude and promote those qualities.
This weekend lets honor those who’ve given their lives in defense of our freedom. Without their service and sacrifice, we couldn’t have the option to use or abuse our freedom. Let’s honor them by not abusing our freedom.
Happy Memorial Day,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Is "The Shark" ... "A" Shark?
Greetings Golfers,
Greg Norman is back in the news. Phil Mickelson isn’t playing in the PGA. He’s only the defending champion. But, his remarks about the proposed Saudi backed Tour didn’t go well. Greg Norman's comments were in the same league. Excusing and/or justifying brutal behavior doesn’t come off very well.
Norman at a press conference “We’ve all made mistakes” … referring to the killing of a journalist and other human rights abuses such as executing 81 people in March.
“Mistakes”? Hmmmm … we’re not talking about forgetting to keep an appointment … we’re talking brutal, planned atrocities.
I planned on writing this blog about “grit” … how grit is overlooked and underappreciated. Here’s what learningscientists.org says are the 5 characteristics of grit:
Courage
Conscientiousness
Perseverance
Resilience
Passion
How cool are those? They’re all qualities that we respect in a person. Especially grouped together.
However, what are a person’s goals? What is grit being used for?
If it’s just for power and money … a lot of us lose respect for that person. Though we respect those qualities … if they’re only self-serving … it ain’t pretty.
Greg Norman is obviously a talented and driven guy. He’s wanted a world golf tour for at least 20 years. But at what price?
Let’s talk about Norman’s golf swing. He was an unbelievably good player … who could have a bunch of majors. The golf gods were not smiling on him.
He was one of the all-time best drivers of the golf ball - he hit it far and straight - amazingly consistent. Why … what was his secret?
Well, he dragged his right-foot through impact. Why is that good? Well, I think that extension through impact is vital to consistently hitting it straight.
Think about this: If the shoulders start the downswing, you can’t extend out at the target. You have to swing “around and down” … try it and see.
This is why some guys can hit irons but not woods off a tee. That over-the-top shoulder move can crash down and hit 7 irons hard off the turf.
However, to extend the club … you need to start the swing with the lower body so that you are in a position to swing out at the target.
Not only did Norman do that really well … he kept that extension going by dragging his right foot through impact. If the right foot turns too soon, the shoulders turn left too soon for an extended impact.
This swing combined with his grit made Greg Norman known as “The Shark”.
But … is he a good guy … or just “a” shark?
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Good Wedge Players
Greetings Golfers,
We were talking the other day about what makes a good golfer.
We all know people who are great putters … but are not good golfers.
We know people who can drive it really far … yet are not good players.
However … have you ever met a good wedge player who is not a good golfer?
If you can play good shots from 100 yards in … you almost have to be a good player.
Watch a Tour player when they have to play a weird shot from a goofy lie … maybe standing on one foot, etc … from under 100 yards. They seem to pull it off every time.
Obviously, that shot is not about some “perfect” robotic golf swing. Instead, they’re in control of the golf club. In control of the face, path, speed, and impact.
So let’s talk about this. Practice chipping. A lot. Not only are those shots vital to good scoring … they’re vital to developing feel and control of the golf club - any and every club … wedge through driver.
Think of the club as a tennis racket or a ping-pong paddle … with a really long handle. And, basically use it the same way.
Hitting a topspin shot is hitting a draw. The path is a little low-to-high … and the face rolls over the top of the ball through impact.
A drop-shot is a flop-shot or a bunker-shot. The path is high-to-low … and the face slides under the ball and opens through impact.
The basic straight-shot for these games is fundamentally the same. No wrist-action. Especially no flipping of the wrists. In fact, the right-wrist should stay flexed throughout the shot - especially through impact. By flexed, I mean bent back … so that the hand is behind the wrist. Jimmy Connors’ famous flat, two-handed ground strokes are a good example of what I’m trying to say.
Practice these shots when chipping. You can do these shots in your yard … or even in your house.
Then, practice these as pitching shots … just longer versions of the chip shots. You’ll be amazed at quickly you can get control of these shots.
Without even practicing full-shots at the range … you’ll be amazed at how much working on these little shots will improve your full shots.
The secret to being a great player? Being a great wedge player who adds great putting and controlled power.
But … the wedge game is the backbone.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Magic Mondays and Bob
Greetings Golfers,
Back to reality!
I started to write about the goodness of people. I believe people are basically good … however, we need rules and laws to keep things from going off the rails. Yet, what we really need is a moral compass that keeps us doing the right thing, rather than needing a million rules and regulations to keep us in line.
While stumbling through writing about this … a former employee stopped-by to say hi. This guy - Bob Elfering - had worked here for 20 years … he retired from DRGC at the end of last season.
Talk about a good guy … Bob is as good as it gets.
Warm, funny, fun, thoughtful, responsible … just somebody you want to be around.
Bob worked at the Pro Shop desk on Tuesdays and Sundays … hopefully you got to deal with him. He was never flustered … nothing got to him. Whether it was computers not working or people complaining and acting crazy … he stayed calm.
He’s a people person … but, not needy. Usually people persons are people pleasers … and need to be appreciated in return.
Not so for Bob. He really doesn’t care. Not in an aloof, cold way … not at all … he’s a warm, lovable guy.
Here’s an example: His grandson is Ryan Suter - the famous NHL player. He never talked about it. He didn’t need that recognition. For years, he would need a week off to go see his daughter and son-in-law in Nashville … he never said why … well, Suter was playing for the Nashville Predators. Obviously, when Suter played for the Wild … it was harder to keep their relationship quiet … but he did.
When people had petty, ridiculous complaints … he’d just say “Ok”. And it was over. He knew it wasn’t really valid … they just wanted to feel important … so he just acknowledged it … and everyone moved on.
I’m sorry that he retired … loved seeing him at the desk … but am happy for him. He’s traveling and still playing golf and just enjoying life.
What a guy! A living example of what I was trying to write about. And a lot more interesting than my writing!
On a self-serving note … looks like the weather has finally shaped-up. And this Monday looks to be beautiful. Normally, we host golf events on Mondays (had a really fun one last Monday). But … we had a communication breakdown … so Monday, May 9 is open. Come on out and tee-it-up. It’s our only open Monday until October 24. Maybe Monday will have some unique magic … it doesn’t have the glamor of the weekend … maybe its understated charm will reward you with the round of your life.
Just play as if you’re with Bob Elfering … you’ll have a great time no matter what.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Julia Jane Abts
Greetings Golfers,
I’m thrilled to announce that on Weds, April 27 at 10:53 am … Julia Jane Abts entered the world.
Our first grandchild.
Thus … I’m not capable of writing my Friday blog. I can’t focus on anything else … and can’t put thoughts together in any sort of interesting way.
Take care and we’ll talk next week.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Wisdom, Weather, and John Wooden
Greetings Golfers,
Looks like it’s almost Spring. Every year I just hope for C+ weather. April has been a D-. But I’m still optimistic.
So I read inspiring quotes to keep me optimistic and somewhat sane. I’m not a big fan of those inane saying on pillows … I think they’re meaningless … but if they keep some people going … why not?
However, there is good stuff out there … really good stuff.
Here are 21 quotes from John Wooden - the legendary basketball coach at UCLA. His record makes no sense. He won 88 games in a row. And 10 NCAA championships in a 12 year span. Of course he had great players. And he knew basketball. But, he really knew life. Here goes:
1.) If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.
2.) A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.
3.) The best competition I have is against myself to become better.
4.) We can have no progress without change, whether it be basketball or anything else.
5.) Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
6.) Success is peace of mind in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.
7.) If you are afraid to fail, you will never do the things you are capable of doing.
8.) Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
9.) Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.
10.) Nothing will work unless you do.
11.) The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.
12.) Don’t mistake activity with achievement.
13.) Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.
14.) If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?
15.) Success is never final; failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.
16.) It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.
17.) You are not a failure until you start blaming others for your mistakes.
18.) Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.
19.) Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
20.) You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.
21.) Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.
How good were those? You can see why his players loved and respected him. His talk was amazing. And he walked the talk.
I hope I keep rereading his quotes for help to deal with my golf game, rather than for help to deal with bad weather.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Priorities
Greetings Golfers,
Sometimes these blogs are just me thinking out loud … no agenda … almost stream of consciousness.
So today, I'm wrestling with 5 things:
-A guy turning blind and becomes a 5 hdc player
-The disconcerting coverage of the Masters
-Cam Smith hitting into the water on #12
-Pitcher being yanked while pitching a perfect game
-A girl I just interviewed does not want to be a server at the restaurant where she’s a hostess
Just looking at that lineup … it seems to me what they share is understanding or not understanding priorities.
Cameron Smith could not hit it in the water on #12. He’d just birdied #11 and was back in it. He had to hit it long left. That was not the time to be aggressive. He couldn’t hand Sheffler the tournament right there (which he did). No sense of priorities.
The CBS coverage of the Masters. Wow. What was going on? It was like the typical weekend coverage of weekly Tour Events. Unfocused … scattered … showing meaningless putts … goofy camera shots of following the ball in the air - not in perspective of the hole … just a picture of a ball flying in the air … ????? No sense of priorities.
Wednesday, LA Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw had a perfect game going against the Twins. He only had to get 6 more outs. He’d only thrown 80 pitches. The Dodger Manager yanked him. Wow. In my youth, the players would have revolted and beaten the manager to a pulp. This move was the opposite of respect. This was more of that idiotic managing by the numbers. No sense of priorities.
Heard a story the other day about a guy who got really into golf as he was going blind. He set-up chipping targets in his house. Later, when totally blind, he started playing in national blind tournaments. He got down to a 5 handicap. That’s having priorities and fighting to achieve.
Last one. Just interviewed a girl who’s working as a hostess at a restaurant. She said she didn’t want to be a server there because the people are so impatient and demanding. I get it. These people have no priorities. They “want it all”. Ugh. So … anything not perfect gets their nastiness going. They think that being demanding is like the blind guy pushing himself to be a good golfer.
They couldn’t have it more wrong. The blind guy is making choices - prioritizing - to get to where he wants to go. Those diners … are just demanding everything. Because to them … there are no priorities … EVERYTHING is a priority.
The Masters coverage was ridiculous because they tried to cover too much. Most of that stuff was not a priority.
Kershaw pitching a perfect game should be a priority.
It seems to me that some people think that equality means that everyone has everything. And that if everyone can’t have something (a perfect game) then it doesn’t matter.
This is very confused thinking. And it will not make life better for anyone. It just causes extreme anger and pettiness and narcissism and failure.
Common sense and logic need to make a comeback. Thinking is a good thing. Over reliance on stats and systems and procedures … turns people into robots.
And sucks the life out of life.
Give me the blind guy over that Dodger manager any day.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Tiger Woods
Greetings Golfers,
Usually I have my blog done by Wednesday night so that it can be formatted and ready to go Friday morning.
However, this week I asked if I could wait until Thursday night so that I could write about Tiger’s opening round at the 2022 Masters.
I’m glad I waited.
How crazy was that round? The guy just doesn’t stop blowing my mind. His Masters victory a few years ago was unbelievable.
But this latest Masters magic? Shooting 71 on a difficult day … beating 8 of the top 12 players in the world … is this guy human?
When his life blew-up years ago … I thought he was done.
Wrong. He came back and won the 2019 Masters.
But this is even crazier. 500 days ago … we weren’t sure he’d ever walk again … much less play tournament golf.
So he decides to make his comeback at the Masters? Not at some minor-league tournament?
I don’t have anything unique to say. I’m sure there’s profound analysis on the internet. I have nothing to add.
However, I couldn’t write about anything else. It would be morally wrong. It would be not acknowledging what HAS to be acknowledged.
This man’s grit and determination and willpower are not human. This is the stuff of a superhero.
I just hope he plays decent on Friday and makes the cut.
Can he win? Probably. None of this makes any sense.
In total contrast … his main rival for the last 25 years is not playing at the Masters. In fact, rumor from a VERY GOOD source … says that he’s gone dark … that no one knows where he is.
Money, power, and fame can do crazy things to people.
It’s inspiring to see someone push themselves beyond seemingly human limits to achieve for deeper reasons.
I hope I have to write about Tiger Woods next week.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
To Annoy, or Not To Annoy
Greetings Golfers,
This past week, one of the big golf magazines had an article about what annoys golf course superintendents.
Annoy might be mild … they also used the word “irk” … still pretty mild. I think words like “angry” … “outraged” … “furious” would be more accurate.
So … let’s walk through these 12 infractions:
1.) Tee-box Temper Tantrums … such as hitting the tee-marker and destroying it. Probably more than annoying.
2.) Early-Bird Practice Sessions … guys who hit 10 shots from the same place in the fairway … taking divots and destroying the area. Probably more than annoying.
3.) Off-Season Trespassers … obviously the course isn’t ready to be open … that’s why it’s not open. And obviously it’s fragile. Probably more than annoying.
4.) Litter-Bugs … yeah, that’s never good. Especially on a beautiful golf course. Probably more than annoying.
5.) Lip Disservice … at first I didn’t know what the heading meant … lipping off? No … it means wrecking the lip of a cup … usually by using the head of a putter to dig the ball out of the cup. Probably more than annoying.
6.) Reckless Driving … running over signs, driving on or near the green, driving through wet, roped-off areas. Probably more than annoying.
7.) Ash Holes … leaving cigars or cigarettes on greens or tee-boxes … or in bunkers. Annoying.
8.) Taking Excess Relief … the course is not a giant urinal … I know some courses don’t have bathrooms or enough bathrooms on the course. We do. Every 3 or 4 holes … and we’re adding another one this year … that means we’ll have 6 bathrooms on the course … not counting the Clubhouse. Annoying.
9.) Stage Whispers … complaints made so that the super hears them … but not saying it to his face. More than annoying.
10.) Wannabe Bosses of the Moss … kind of like #9 … though more direct … but with an arrogant, condescending attitude. More than annoying.
11.) Icy Treatment … complaints about frost delays … as if the super controls Mother Nature. Annoying.
12.) Putting the Aggro in Agronomy … golfers mistreating the maintenance crew by hitting into them or making no effort to get out of the way. Charming. Probably the worst of the list. More than annoying.
So … why am I writing this? To be a scold?
Hardly.
I was glad to see the article in a major magazine. Most superintendents don’t have much interaction with the players. Or have blogs … or other forms of communication. But … they deserve a voice … they deserve to be heard.
When I was in college, I worked on a grounds crew … that’s where I met our superintendent’s mentor. People don’t really understand or appreciate the amazing job so many superintendents do. You know how much work it is maintaining your lawn … think about having 100+ acres … and having vulnerable grass, such as on the greens … fairway grass is even more vulnerable than what you have in your yard. What these guys do is incredible.
Not only is this article about what annoys the superintendent … this stuff annoys the other golfers. So, if one of your buddies is doing this stuff … you have my permission to give him a nudge with your wedge. Not a full-out swing … just a little chip-shot.
As of now … we’re planning on opening April 11. Don’t want to force it. We’re blessed with one of the best superintendents in the state … we’re not going to mess-up his masterpiece by opening too early.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Doctor Spin
Greetings Golfers,
Last year’s World Series champions - the Atlanta Braves …used to be the Milwaukee Braves … and before that, were the Boston Braves.
And they were good. Very good … because of 2 star pitchers - Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain. You may have heard the old saying “Spahn and Sain: then pray for rain”.
Not only was Johnny Sain an incredible pitcher, he was probably an even better pitching coach. These are some of his 20 game winners: Jim Kaat, Whitey Ford, Denny McLain, Jim Perry, Muscat Grant, and Jim Bouton.
Most of those guys said that Sain was the best pitching coach they ever encountered. However, Tommy John said that “Sain could show you how to throw any pitch in the book, but he couldn’t look at your motion and tell if your mechanics were off”.
Sain was all about controlling spin. He wasn’t a believer in the typical training that was focused on legs. He said something like “if that’s what matters, why aren’t track stars good pitchers?”
As you can probably guess … I’m more of a Sain guy for sports that involve a ball. I think that pitchers and tennis players and golfers need to understand spin … and how to control the ball by using spin.
However, those games have become much more focused on power than controlling spin.
Power can be a good thing. However, in life as in ball sports … uncontrolled power can be a very bad thing.
I watched that “King Richard” movie last week on the plane. Richard Williams’ daughters - Venus and Serena - learned how to control spin. Obviously they were athletic and powerful … but their dad got them to learn how to spin the tennis ball early in life, so that when they got older and stronger, they could be in control of their new found power.
Johnny Sain was also a good hitter … he posted a lifetime .245 batting average - amazing for a pitcher. He understood that the bat was a tool to be controlled.
Too often, golfers just swing the club and focus on body mechanics … as if the ball will just magically go where it should. Those body mechanics are useful if they help the players control the golf club. And, the golf club needs to be controlled to impart the proper spin. It shouldn’t be left to luck.
Well, if you can learn to control the spin of a golf ball as well as Johnny Sain could control the spin of a baseball … you won’t pray for rain. You’ll want it to only rain at night so you can play golf every day.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
An Annoying-free Sanctuary
Greetings Golfers,
Just got back from a trip out-west.
We flew. Wow. I think we spent more time in lines than up-in-the-air.
Of course I relate everything to Deer Run GC. One of our major goals is to minimize and/or eliminate waiting in lines.
Probably the biggest culprit is the front desk. Checking-in should be quick and easy. When it’s not, it’s usually because of a phone call. So, we’re trying to get everyone to book their reservation on-line. It would eliminate most of the slow-ups at the desk.
I started writing this blog 12 years ago … and one of the first ones was about DRGC being a sanctuary. A sanctuary from the madness of daily life:
- An attractive place
- Outdoors
- Friendly atmosphere
- Golf
- Play golf with friends or family
- Supplement it with good food and drink
That’s our goal. However, unnecessary waiting can be pretty annoying. Slow golfers, slow-ups at the desk and Pub. I get it. And don’t want it.
However … Sanctuary doesn’t mean Utopia. Perfect and/or Utopia are not good goals. They’re impossible and just lead to frustration and hard-feelings. And I feel that they’re used as a weapon. Expecting or demanding perfection is sick. Maybe cruel is a better word.
But that doesn’t mean anything goes. It’s not perfection or nothing … what about good? … what about quality?
Those are realistic goals.
I just looked-up the word “rigmarole” … it said “A long and tiresome procedure that seems pointless”. I think too much our lives is spent in rigmarole.
To eliminate rigmarole involves trust. Lack of trust causes petty steps. Though we’d like you to make your tee-time on-line … we’re not going to ask for more information (credit card number, etc). We trust you.
The phone can be annoying. My dream is that a phone never rings and disturbs our sanctuary at DRGC.
Ahhhhhhh.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Swing Easy, Hit Hard
Greetings Golfers,
Last week - March 3 - was the anniversary of the birth of Julius Boros.
He was born 102 years ago (1920) … so, probably a lot of people reading this don’t know who he was.
Well, he maybe had the coolest swing of all time. Take a look at it on YouTube … especially the analysis by Wayne Defrancesco.
Boros’ famous line was “Swing easy, hit hard”. How good is that? Usually I see one or the other … easy swings that don’t really hit the ball … or hard hits with hard looking swings.
His swing looks very intuitive instead of mechanical. As Defrancesco says “He’s always in motion”. Meaning that when he steps to up the shot … his feet are moving and takes a few waggles, then forward presses, and almost steps into the shot … much like throwing a ball.
If you’ve been reading my stuff, you know that I believe the golf swing is basically a throwing motion. I love Hogan’s analogy of the sidearm throwing motion of a shortstop … that’s the golf swing.
Speaking of baseball … imagine if a Centerfielder fielded a ball in short left-center field … and before he threw to 3rd base, he stopped and pulled out a Rangefinder for the distance.
This Rangefinder thing has become ridiculous. It’s helpful knowledge … but you need to trust your intuition.
Here’s a great saying by Henri Poincare “It is through science that we prove, but through intuition that we discover.”
Before you pull-out the Rangefinder … guess what the yardage is … feel the yardage before you test it with your rangefinder.
We would all be better players if we were more intuitive when we played.
It’s good to know the science of the golf swing and information such as yardage. However, we play much better through trust and intuition than trying to play like a robot.
And it’s more fun.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com