For The Love Of The Game

Greetings Golfers,

Golf is back in the news.

Jon Rahm might sign with LIV for one trillion dollars. 

And … the USGA wants to roll-back the golf ball so that recreational players won’t hit it as far as Jon Rahm.

I might have both of those stories wrong … but not that wrong. But what is wrong … is the reality behind both stories. That’s what’s wrong.

Rahm assured us over-and-over again that he wouldn’t join LIV.

Roll-back the ball … for everyone? 

Why not roll-back the ball and get rid of non-wood drivers for tournament players?

Can you imagine if Major League Baseball players used metal softball bats? Every park would become obsolete … and the records would become a joke. 

So then the fix would be to make recreational softball players use wooden bats???? How stupid would that be?

Just like MLB and recreational softball are two different games … PGA Tour golf and amateur recreational golf are two distinct games. 

Last week I received an unusually large amount of replies to my blog. It must have really hit a nerve. People are sick of sports just being a cash grab - especially college sports.

College basketball star Caitlin Clark is coming up here to play the Gophers in February - the game is already sold-out. Rumor is that she’s also a really good golfer. She seems like a level-headed Iowa girl … I hope she can keep her heart and soul when she graduates and travels through Oz.

Obviously we all need to make money. Money is not a bad thing - it’s a necessary tool. But doing anything for money is not a good thing. We have words for that behavior.

We need money to keep the golf course operating. We try to be clear about it. Not a million prices and a bunch of promotions.

We have an annual Sale - had it last Saturday. And we run an annual Holiday Sale for passes. That’s it. Clean and simple. Maybe I didn’t promote it enough … I’ve had people ask me this week when we’re having our Sale. Oops. Also … people are asking about the Holiday Passes … we have a link on our website. It ends on Dec. 20.

We love golf. And we want to share our love through DRGC. We also have to pay the bills. But greed doesn’t run this place. Most people get it and realize it can’t be free. And we realize that Jon Rahm wants to be paid. And that golf companies want to run the game of golf.

Yet, Jon Rahm will make a ton of dough during his career. And the golf companies will still be healthy if we separate Elite golf from Recreational golf.

The new tag-line of the PGA of America is “We Love This Game!” I hope that mantra resonates throughout the golf industry. 

Maybe all the other sports will sell-out. I thought golf was better than that.

 

Cheers!

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

Who Cheers For The Bad Guys?

Greetings Golfers,

So it looks like the Gophers are going to a Bowl game. They have a losing record … and are tied for last in the Big Ten West Division. What’s the point?

Big Ten West Division? That’s also ridiculous. Then adding PAC schools … so USC and Rutgers can be in the same conference?

I can see conferences adjusting as time goes on … things change. But conferences were built on natural alliances and rivalries. Unless that changes - why blow it up? Bigger is not necessarily better.

Obviously the tv networks want “bigger” games. But will these conferences build bigger rivalries than Ohio State-Michigan or Auburn-Alabama or USC-UCLA? Not to mention rivalries such as Minnesota-Wisconsin. 

Will the powerhouse schools just get stronger? Will non-powerhouse schools even have a chance?

Or is that the plan? Just a perpetual series of “big games” between the same schools.

Went out last Monday night with some old high school friends. No one was aware that the Vikings were on Monday Night Football. Every one of these guys loved sports and knew everything about MN sports - until recently. Why the change? Because it’s just about hype and money.

We used to know every player. There used to be loyalty. There used to be a distinct culture on every team. 

How does this relate to golf? Easily. The powers that be just want the Tour to be exhibitions of the “stars”. That way the big sponsors can get their players on tv. And supposedly that’s all people want to see. I love when a no name guy qualifies and wins a tournament. How great is that?

When I watch a movie … if I don’t care about the characters … I don’t care how much “excitement” happens. If I go to a party and the food is “big time”, etc … but if the vibe is bad … I’m gone.

What’s going on?

My sons just submitted a bunch of my blogs to AI and they analyzed my style and then wrote a blog in my style. It was decent … clever … but soulless. It wasn’t authentic. Why are we trading authentic for flash and cash?

I can understand if you’re starving. But once you reach a basic level of stability … more is not more. It’s usually awful. We all know it. In fact it’s embarrassing.

While I was writing this … I shared it with staff and their spouses. One of them agreed and said why isn’t anyone talking about this? Yeah. Everyone who read it agreed … even poor victims who just walked into the Clubhouse … and had stories about Gophers hockey, etc. They actually got enthused and started ranting.

Bottom-line to caring … we have to care about people. If teams are just faceless, soulless people we don’t care about … we won’t care if they win or lose. Why would we?

Cheers,

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

Thankful for the Challenge

Greetings Golfers,

A belated “Happy Thanksgiving”!

I hope it was happy … and I hope you were thankful. Thankful and happy seem to go hand-in-hand.

Are we thankful only when things are going our way? Too often that’s the case. But, we especially need to be thankful when times are hard.

Here’s what I mean: Years ago when our sons were kids, they asked me why the world wasn’t perfect … why was there sickness, pain, death, etc?

My answer was a golf analogy (of course). I said “What if when you played golf, every shot was a hole-in-one? Would it be any fun? The only reason golf is worth playing is that it's hard. The challenge is to rise above the difficulties.”

Obviously, the analogy applies to life.

But, then they asked “Why does it have to be so hard/brutal?” So I then I said, “That’s the only way it’s real.”

Now, I don’t mean that because life can be brutal and not fair that we have a license to be brutal and unfair. Just the opposite. That’s why being a good person who tries to be fair and do the right thing matters. Really matters. 

The challenge is to rise above the difficulties.

We can do what really matters.

That’s what we should be thankful for. 

Thankfully,

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

Responses

Greetings Golfers,

Last week’s blog got a lot of interesting feedback. Most of it positive … yet one fairly hostile response. 

I responded and tried to make it about ideas - not make it personal. It’s sad that a lot of people can’t disagree without making it nasty and personal.

But as I said … most responses were positive. In fact, one included a TED talk about being positive.

Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXy__kBVq1M

… it’s pretty inspiring.

And another one was about a kid playing a hole with Tony Finau                                                        

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=709847767688291

… Wow. That one really got to me.

Another response was about how important deep conversations are … and that this guy was having fewer as he got older … his friends didn’t want to go there. He said that he just read this quote about Heaven: “Imagine the stories that you’ll hear. And all the questions that shall finally have answers. And the answers won’t be one-word answers, but story after story, a feast of wonder and laughter and glad tears.”

How good are those responses?

This all fits with golf: 

* Positivity 

* an amazing experience with a Tour player  

* great stories and conversation after a round

Let’s talk about positivity. It needs to make sense … a way to deal with reality - not deny reality.

Here’s an example. When I walk up to the tee box … I want to think negative. I’m looking for danger - where I don’t want to hit it. Then, I shift to positive - where I want to hit it. And I try to stay with that positive thought before and during my swing.

If I don’t go through that negative phase … I can’t understand the risk/reward aspects of the hole. And … I’ll probably all of a sudden see the danger during my set-up and/or swing … that’s not a good thing.

Negativity and positivity are tools to deal with reality.   So is logic. So are ideas. Name calling is basically a denial of facing reality.

When I responded to the name caller - I made it clear that I wouldn’t make it personal … that I wanted to discuss ideas. I wrapped-up my “speech” with how good for people golf is:

• Hit it

• Find it

• Deal with it

Some bloggers post the responses. I would never do that. I feel the responses are private. And I enjoy hearing from people … and a discussion if need be. 

So … keep it coming! And … I can handle the nasty … but it’s more interesting arguing ideas than name-calling.

Cheers!

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

Indulge Your "Inner Grown-up"

Greetings Golfers,

Well, we’re rolling into the Holiday Season.

We just wrapped-up Halloween. Did you see that charming video titled “Mom Stealing Halloween Candy”? It’s real … not a gag. A family purposefully left out a bowl of candy on Halloween night … expecting that people wouldn’t take advantage of the situation. Was it kids taking all of the candy? Sure … but the mom was leading the charge.

During the past week, I’ve had the same conversation with a bunch of different people. Because this is a golf blog … I should let you know that some of the people were golfers -  a Tour Player and a guy who just played in a National PGA tournament. And the point of our conversations was that people liked/loved them because of who they are - not because how good they are at golf. And … though they’re characters … they want to be humble and not arrogant.

And some of the other conversations were people dreading the Holidays because they’re over-the-top. 

And … our waitress the other day was upset about going to an over-the-top wedding.

And on Weds, a guy wanting to do a golf event here … and me telling him to keep it SIMPLE.

Did I mention the article I read about the 25 year-old man who wore a Halloween costume and trick-or-treated because he “needed to indulge his inner child”?

Don’t people want to grow-up? 

Is being an adult viewed as not having fun? Is fun about non-stop over-the-top indulgence? And … mixed-in with a need to show-off?

Do people think they’ll be loved because of money, status, and power?

And that life is about using money, status and power to “indulge your inner child”?

I respect people because of their character. And I love people because we have real conversations … we go deep with each other. Real human interaction.

Have we become just a totally consumer society? Is that all matters? 

I think people are better than that. In fact, I KNOW people are better than that.

But it’s risky saying it.

Why is it risky? Because no one likes to hear that they’ve been conned. As Mark Twain said “It’s easier to fool people than convince them that they’ve been fooled”.

So … let’s enjoy the Holidays and try to make it enjoyable for our friends and family. Let’s be the grown-ups. The grown-ups who make sure that it stays simple and sane and human. It will naturally be fun. Fun happens. You can’t make it happen. 

The children want to be simple and relaxed and human. Everyone stressed-out trying to impress and/or indulging their inner child is not good for anyone. Especially kids.

I’m a social animal. I like parties. I like people. I’m not advocating dull and boring. I’m trying to speak for a lot of us who feel our society has lost its mind.

Cheers!

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

The Pause That Means Good Timing

Greetings Golfers,

Whether you were ready or not … it’s here. Not yet Winter … but it’s cold. Too cold for most golf courses up here on the tundra.

But, not too cold to work on your swing (inside).

And … not just work on your swing … but read some golf instruction books. One of my favorites is Tommy Armour’s “How To Play Your Best Golf All The Time”. I can’t believe how good it is.

If your head is stuffed with too much information about the “perfect” swing … and you’d like some clear, common-sense advice … get this book!

Here are the chapters:

* Why This Book Is as Short and Simple as It Is

• How To Learn Your Best Golf

• What Can Your Best Golf Be?

• Taking You to the Lesson Tee

• How Your Clubs Can Help You

• The Grip Holds Your Swing Together

• How To Get Ready to Swing

• Footwork, The Foundation of Best Golf

• The Waggle, Preliminary Swing in Miniature

• The Art of Hitting with the Hands

• The Pause That Means Good Timing

• Saving Strokes With Simple Approach Shots

• The Fascinating, Frustrating Philosophy of Putting

• Assembling Your Game in Good Order

How sane and sensible is that?

A lot of emphasis on the hands. We’re not robots … robots don’t have hands … this is a major problem with modern golf instruction. Way too much emphasis on making a magic move that will hit the ball for you.

No. You hit the ball. With a golf club. You control the club with your hands. You make an athletic motion so that you can swing the club. Very similar to throwing a ball. It’s not gymnastics. 

I love the chapter “The Pause That Means Good Timing”. That pause at the top is where you really take control of the swing. Otherwise you’re just making a swing … and not hitting a shot. Big difference. 

We need to pause in everything we do. We need to pause and figure out where we’re going. Otherwise we’re just going.

I hope you read this book or any Tommy Armour stuff - but this is his best. If you do … please let me know your thoughts. 

It’s never the wrong time to read Tommy Armour … and pause and reflect.

Cheers!

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

Thank You!

Greetings Golfers,

Last week I said “I’m sorry” … this week I’m saying “Thank you”.

Thanks to all of you who played Deer Run and appreciate what we do. You’re much appreciated - thank you.

And, we need to thank the people who make this place worth appreciating.

The golf course was in amazing condition all season long - even through a drought. Keeper of the Green - Barry Provo - is ridiculously good at what he does. Here’s his staff:

• Paul Bickel

• Sam Brammer

• Myonghai Choi

• Dean Clark

• Gordy Davis

• Kirby Dorothy

• Ryan DeBenedetto

• Ethan Erickson

• Calvin Green

• Mike Histon

• Sonny Jurgens

• Lee Metzger

• Zach Reiff

• Grant Paulson

• Ryan Scrivener

• Chase Snedeker

• Mike Stannard

• Martin Teall

• Brian Tjenstrom

F&B Manager - Kelly Olive - ran a great show. And I mean show. Her staff was hilarious and set the tone for the whole place. Bravo! Here’s her staff:

• Grace Blackwell

• Kelli Cole

• Courtney Eder

• Elli Eskuche

• Lauren Eskuche

• Emily Fornetti

• Elizabeth Gerebi

• Ali Grobel

• Riley Histon

• Maeve Kelly

• Caroline Kohls

• Ella Kurzhal

• Allyson Kuzara

• Izzy Lodge

• Jayne Pipkorn

• Mara Sandberg

• Sasha Snegirova

• Jamie Sorenson

• Hannah Tate

• Sophia Thompson

• Elise Torborg

• Lucy Vetter

• Elise Wilson

But that’s not all … the Fearsome Foursome of Ketti Histon and Kathy Jones and Thomas Aragon-Menzel and Avery Charon ran the Pro Shop-Range-Carts operation. Congrats! It was seamless. Here’s their staff:

• Dan Abts

• Cam Borgendale

• Emma Braaten

• Jacob Bryant

• Kyle Bryant

• Tyler Bryant

• Austin Charbonneau

• Avery Charon

• Hunter Hanson

• Kam Hendrickson

• Patrick Hunter

• Ben Gallagher

• Mike Melander

• JT Rathbun

• Ben Reiff

• Danny Renner

• Emily Renner

Thank you all for doing such a great job! And … not only for what you did … but for what you didn’t do … we didn’t have any staff drama! None.

It’s really fun saying thank you!

Cheers!

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

A Boring Blog Means Having to Say You're Sorry

Greetings Golfers,

Some of you might remember that movie “Love Story” … I think it was made in 1972. Well, its tag-line was “Love means never having to say you’re sorry”. I guess being in love means that common-courtesy isn’t needed … because common-courtesy is just a phony way to use and manipulate people.

Mind-boggling.

My plan for this blog was to just give out some basic end-of-the season information … and then apologize for such a boring blog. 

But before writing, I opened my computer to find some random article for inspiration. Amazingly, I opened to an article where somebody was talking about the two rudest countries he’d ever visited. He said that on the airplane he was told “There are two words you don’t use here: “Thank you and please”.

Sort of like not saying “sorry”.

I suppose if you look at the world only in terms of power … then manners are just foolish affectations.

However if you care about people and have empathy … manners are the grease that keeps life respectful.

So … I’m apologizing for this boring blog. Here goes:

• Our last day of golf in 2023 is Sunday, October 29. 

• Our Annual Christmas Sale will be on Saturday, December 2.

• The information for the Holiday Passes will come out in my blog on November 22 … the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

That’s it.

I’m sorry,

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

Risk and Reward

Greetings Golfers,

One of the many ways that I drove my kids crazy when they were growing-up, was that I constantly said that everything is risk-reward.

They’d roll-their-eyes … and say “Yeah, we know Dad”. 

It’s the basis of golf course management - as a business … and as a golfer playing the game. 

And … it’s really about knowing yourself and your capabilities. Not just the conventional wisdom for playing the odds.

So, Weds. night the Twins were losing their final playoff game to the Astros by one run in the 9th inning. I’ve got the game on the radio while driving home. So, Polanco is the Twins first batter … and he’s ahead in the count 3 balls to 1 strike. I’m screaming at the radio that he uses this advantage and swing. Instead, he takes a called strike on a fastball down the middle. And as I told myself he would - he struck out on the next pitch … basically ending the game and the Twin’s season. The Twins management thought the smart play was to take the pitch and hope for a walk. Wow. This is not Little League baseball … Polanco had the advantage - he had to be swinging.

The Twins strikeout a ridiculous amount. Not because they’re too free swinging … but they’re not in control of the risk-reward aspect at the plate. It’s too conventional … and only works against mediocre pitching … not playoff pitching.

If Polanco had swung and popped-up on that 3-1 pitch … people would have complained and said he should’ve taken the pitch. If he’d swung and homered to tie the game … those same people wouldn’t have said how smart it was … they just would’ve taken it for granted.

I’m not advocating for just being aggressive … I’m advocating for knowing yourself and weighing each situation on its own.

For example, a guy who was playing in his first golf tournament as a Pro, was leading until the end of the round … and a guy who’d already finished, insisted that he hit a big cut around the corner on the par 5 hole. This guy said that wasn’t his style and that he planned on drawing it up at the top left corner to give himself a good angle. But, this guy let himself be talked into what everyone else had been doing … and promptly cut-it into the woods and made 7. He didn’t win.

Playing it safe or taking a risk depends on understanding your talents and weighing the particular situation. It isn’t something that comes from data. Data is useful for understanding - I know my numbers. But, I make my decisions on more than data … I’m weighing risk-reward in everything I do.

I seldom drive much anymore … but this morning I drove on the freeway. Wow. The lane changing and getting on and off ramps is mind-boggling. Talk about not understanding risk-reward.

Though bad here, it’s nothing like when I drive from South Carolina to Orlando for the PGA Show every January. I-95 is a 6 lane road … 3 lanes going South … 3 lanes coming up North. So … the middle lane is to drive the speed limit … the left lane is to pass … and the right lane is to exit and enter the freeway. Not exactly rocket science.

However, I have people in the right lane pass me at 90 mph … then, 3 miles up the road, they’re in the left lane going 40 mph. Or, people come flying up in the right lane, turn left fast and almost hit me as they head into the left lane … then they turn hard-right in front of me to exit the freeway. This insanity is non-stop for 6 hours.

How about our schools teaching basic common-sense and risk-reward concepts?

Sports are such a laboratory for these concepts. If you have a mediocre football team and you’re playing a really talented team ranked #2 in the nation … would you play boring vanilla football?

You’re going to lose playing normal football … why not play risky football?

But … going into safe mode when you’re leading isn’t smart either. Remember this year’s College Hockey Final when the Gophers went into “playing not to lose” when they had the lead? We all knew they would lose.

Well, I can see you rolling your eyes like my kids used to. Enough is enough. I get it. But I can’t stop obsessing about risk-reward. Not if I keep watching sports or driving a car.

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

Charm and Effiency

Greetings Golfers,

So the MN Twins finally won a playoff game … and a series.

Their losing streak was as bad as the current USA Ryder Cup streak in Europe. 

See … there is hope for our teams.

Of course you remember the Twins beating the Blue Jays in the first-round playoffs in 1991 … on their way to beating the Braves in the World Series. 

Yeah … I was working at Deer Run then … but I wasn’t working here when the Twins played the Dodgers in the 1965 World Series … I’m not that old.

But I am old … and have seen a few things. I even remember that 1965 Series very well … it still hurts. I haven’t traveled as much as I hoped - yet I have seen a few interesting places. In fact, this week, I’m in Lisbon, Portugal … with the kids and even their babies. I know, we’re crazy … but it’s good and worth the madness.

Lisbon is a big city - bigger than I thought … not population-wise … but area-wise. And it doesn’t feel big-city intense … it’s pretty casual and relaxed. And patient. The streets are packed with people and cars … and yet no-one’s freaking-out. The people are genuinely friendly and kind. Babies have precedence … with the babies we don’t have to wait in-line … seriously … it’s pretty amazing and representative of the culture.

The boys and I played golf at a supposedly highly-rated golf course. As expected, the staff was very helpful and friendly. However, the condition of the course and other things we take for granted, wasn’t very good. Played with a guy from Washington, DC. He was obsessed with slow-play. He complained about the pace-of-play at his public course back home. He said he’d heard of “Fast Play Friday”. Who knows?

Can a place as relaxed as Portugal also be competent? Does this level of casualness also mean a lack of standards? These are the things I’ve been thinking about while here.

I think this relaxed scene can work … as long as people are responsible and held to it.

Ironically, a frantic and up-tight place like DC … won’t work if people aren’t responsible and held to it. I think JFK said that DC “had Southern efficiency and Northern charm”. Obviously that’s the worst of all worlds

How about if countries (and golf courses) had Northern efficiency and Southern charm? 

Well, last week, the USA Ryder team had neither efficiency nor charm. 

Hopefully the Twins have both. How fun would it be to see a likable Twins team in the World Series?

You can have both - charm and efficiency … but it’s a tricky balance.

Cheers! 

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

Why Team USA wins the Ryder Cup in Rome

 Greetings Golfers,

Well, it’s here, the first day of the 44th Ryder Cup.

And to kick things off … here’s Edina CC Head PGA Pro Marty Lass telling us why he thinks Europe will win:
 

Why Team Europe wins the Ryder Cup in Rome…

Let us get one thing straight-I want the USA to win this one!  I always cheer for the Americans, and the 30-year stretch of not winning overseas is something they want to take care of…

However, this is why the Euro’s take the cup at Marco Simone G & CC in Rome…

1. These four players don’t want to have a losing record. At Whistling Straits Hovland, Hatton, Lowry and Fitzpatrick got their butts kicked, and they are the players on Team Europe that have overall losing records in the Ryder Cup.  They want to change that and prove to the American’s they are going to be around for years to come and will be tough.

2. Team Europe is coming in strong. Although the Americans are considered favorites, all 12 players on Team Europe competed just 2 weeks ago in a DP Tour event (BMW PGA). All 12 made the cut, 7 of them posted ‘top 10’ finishes. Team USA hasn’t had much competition since the FedEx playoffs ended, and might be rusty (but rested!).

3. The Four rookies on Team Europe. Ludvig Aberg, Nicolai Hojgaard, Robert McIntyre and Sepp Straka have played very well, especially the last 2-3 months.  The American rookies-Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Max Homa and Sam Burns played well earlier in the year and, and with the exception of Harman winning The Open Championship, haven’t shown too much lately.

4. Nine nationalities represented by Team Europe.  Although many of them play the PGA Tour, they are originally from all over Europe.  I think when the team was announced, they put in (maybe) just a bit more effort trying to get to know each other, more unity, and having the Molinari brothers as vice-captains is helpful.

5. Intangibles.  Again, the Euro’s come in as underdogs (at least on paper).  The Americans will be tough, nothing is easy here.  However, I think Team Europe is a ‘refreshed’ version of their Ryder Cup team, some of their older players are done and gone.  With the exception of Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy, it is a very young team with not much experience.  Those two veterans will unite the players and the streak will continue winning on ‘home soil’…
    

Bravo! Well said Marty - all valid points. However, Team USA will finally break the 30 year drought of winning on European soil.

Here’s why:

Both teams are very talented - and basically equal. However, Team USA has an irrepressible Captain … and a leader who is going to wake-up from a sleepy, lost year.

I first heard about Captain Zach Johnson when he played for Drake in Iowa. Guys complained that he wasn’t a quality ball-striker … just a very good putter. Then this “chop” goes on to play on the PGA Tour … and win Majors - especially the Open Championship at St. Andrews. This is a guy who knows how to win. And on the biggest stage. Don’t underestimate him.

Who’s this leader who’s going to wake-up and finally find himself? Obviously - Justin Thomas. This guy has it. But he always tried to find it from coaches, family, or heroes such as Tiger Woods. But that’s not where it comes from. We all know that it comes from deep-inside. This frustrating year made him dig-deep and find it on his own. 

JT will be the inspirational leader. Zach Johnson will be the guy behind the scenes who knows how to win.

Oh yeah … Scottie Scheffler is going to make everyone remember that he’s as good as Rory and Rahm. 

Put on your seat-belts … this is going to be a fun ride.

The guys with something to prove … are going to do it. Victory - Team USA.

Cheers,

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

You've Been Warned

Greetings Golfers,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cheers!

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

Fall Golf is Great

Greetings Golfers,

 

Fall golf is great. I know … I know … it’s not officially Fall … but in Minnesota, Fall begins right after Labor Day - not Sept. 22.

The temperature is good … the bugs are gone … and it’s just a more relaxed atmosphere. Hope it’s nice until at least Halloween.

Just read a funny article titled “The Stuffiest Country Club Stories We’ve Ever Heard” … here’s the link: https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-stuffiest-country-club-stories-weve-ever-heard-old-habits

They’re funny stories. And probably true. And those clubs have the right to do that stuff. Do I want to be a part of that? No … but why should I tell them not to? I will if they ask my opinion. But not if they don’t ask.

My issue is that for too long, people assumed that golf was like those stories. All golf courses - not just stuffy private clubs. Unfortunately, too many public courses tried to be poor versions of country clubs instead of having their own identity.  

I’ve always thought that golf courses should have a variety just like restaurants - 5 star Michelin restaurants or fast food operations or diners or steakhouses or pizza joints, etc. 

Golf hasn’t really explored its options. Take a look at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKRGPPuvA7A

Golf can be spiritual … magical … a sport … silly recreational … a snob-fest … fun … dead-serious … etc.

I think where golf courses - public, private or resort - go wrong, is when they don’t know who they are. Here are some quotes that apply: 
Voltaire - “Perfect is the enemy of good”.
Thoreau - “Our life is frittered away in detail. Simplify, simplify, simplify!”

To me, both those quotes are about greedy people who don’t live in reality. It’s like that moronic phrase “You can have it all!” No you can’t. Grow-up. And businesses and politicians are screwing things up when they promise too much. It’s easy to do … but honest people say don't.

Just listen to political speeches … or most marketing. They’re promising a way to get more for free. How does that work? It’s either a con … or someone gets screwed-over. Why not just be honest and straight-forward? Business and government should not be trying to appeal to the worst in people. If so, we’ll get a greedy, nasty society.

If a business is always offering “a deal” … why can’t they play it straight? Same with a politician. Isn’t life about trust? How can you trust those businesses or politicians?

I hear everyone on all sides of the political spectrum complain about corruption. And then proudly taking advantage of tax loopholes and beating-up people on business deals. Or is fair only for people who aren’t smart enough to take advantage?

Remember the movie “Wall Street” when Gordon Gecko said “Greed is good”? I don’t think it’s good. There are a lot reasons to be motivated - but greed is maybe the worst.

Fall golf is great. Let’s enjoy it. But when it’s over - we’re done. The golf course needs a break. Cross-country skiing, etc is not what it needs. Our staff needs a break. And our Clubhouse needs a rest. Our goal every year is to get better. Not bigger. We don’t “want it all”.

Cheers!

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

Not Too Fast and Not Too Slow... Just Right

Greetings Golfers,

The other day, I had a guy playing behind us who was making it clear that he thought we were playing slow. In fact, we were waiting on every shot … though the people in front of us were playing at a 4 hour pace.
Waiting doesn’t mean slow.

The golf course is a one-lane freeway that we want everyone going 60mph (4 hour round). If you want to drive 75mph … it might feel slow. However, we aren’t going to make people play faster than 4 hours to appease people who want to play faster. No one has the right to drive 50mph … and no one has the right to drive 75mph. 

We’re sharing the golf course with each other. Slow play is not fair to the people playing behind dawdlers. However, some people don’t realize that they’re slow … and/or why they’re slow. Golf shouldn’t be a race track - that’s not enjoyable. But a 4 hour pace isn’t fast or hard to do. It’s just a reasonable speed. The link below is to a recent article about 8 ways to play faster. It’s sane … makes sense … and is fun to read. Enjoy!

https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/articles/miss-it-quick-8-ways-to-play-faster-golf?utm_source=GOLFPASS&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GA_Weekly-Newsletter_20230905&mi_u=CE46841C-9468-4844-8F10-D1085E3E0B60


A lot of slow play happens on the greens. People not ready to putt … or reading every putt as if it’s complicated puzzle. And some greens are just too fast.

This super fast green thing is fairly recent. I remember when tournament golf had reasonably paced greens. Then it became cool to ramp up the speed for tournaments. So if it was cool for tournaments … it must be really cool for everyday play.

Really? So faster is better? Hmmmm. If I like seasoning on my steak … then pouring the whole bottle of seasoning on my steak will make it really good! Obviously that’s idiotic.

I think we all know the right speed of a green. If I’m just rolling a ball with my hand … I have an instinctive sense of how far it should roll. If it stops to soon … it’s too slow. But if it doesn’t stop rolling - it’s obviously way too fast. Why isn’t the right speed the goal? 

The right speed. It works for both pace-of-play … and greens. Too fast isn’t fun or funny … and too slow is frustrating. 

Maybe we should ask Goldilocks. Rumor has it that she went out to play golf after eating the bear family’s porridge. She knew what speed was “just right”. 

Cheers!

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

Commit!

Greetings Golfers,

Played golf the other day with my sons and one of their friends. I’d played with this guy a few years ago and he was a pretty decent player. Well, the first 9 holes the other day were not good. Bad is actually the word. And … he’s obsessed … it’s not that he seldom plays. 

But, his instructor changed everything he was doing and insisted he have a weak grip. Hmmm … this fellow was already a fader of the ball … with this new grip he had to come violently over-the-top not to hit vicious slices.

Also … his new swing had zero athleticism. Zero. And this guy is a good athlete.

Finally, on #11, we talked and all of us convinced him to go back to his old swing. He actually played well and kept improving as we went on. 

What he needs is not a new swing … but rather more shot-making ability. 

The search for the “perfect” robotic swing is not a good thing. The hope that you develop an automatic swing is not what golf is about (or life). It’s the same attitude as a self-driving car. So … you’d rather trust a computer to judge the icy roads and deal with last-second crazy situations? Then in the same vein, you’re just going to walk up to the ball and go through your robotic routine and then the shot happens automatically. No thinking, no caring, no feel, no awareness … just plug in the yardage and away you go. 

Wow.

Why even live? Maybe you can merge with an AI computer and go through life unscathed. Is that the goal? Heck, I’m actually proud of my scars.

Maybe it’s part of a fear-of-failing mentality. Failing isn't so bad … living in fear on the sidelines is bad - really bad.

I’m not advocating reckless behavior. But I am recommending swinging-the-bat rather than hoping for a walk.

Lately, I’ve been wrestling with the concept of consistency. I think consistency needs to be the fruit rather than the goal. I think what is needed is commitment.

Of course I want our staff to be consistent - show-up on time, etc. However, if they’re really committed … they will show-up on time and do what is needed. It might come off as consistency … but commitment is what makes it work … consistency is the fruit.

Same with your golf game. Commit to your shots. Don’t just go through the motions. 

And the better you get at hitting golf shots … the more you can commit to the right shot in the right situation. 

The joy of golf does not come from turning into a robot and hoping that your new AI persona will play golf for you.

Commit!
 

Cheers!

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

Phil the Thrill

Greetings Golfers,

How do I not write about Phil Mickelson?

This week it was revealed that Phil had bet more than a billion dollars over 3 decades … with over a hundred million dollars in losses.

That sounds more like an out-of-control government than a real person. How is that even possible?

And especially - why?

Well, I think it’s wrapped-up in his nickname - “Phil the Thrill”. I think for Phil … life is all about thrills.

Phil type of gamblers are not the desperate characters hoping to win the lottery to get out of poverty. This is a guy who loves “the action”. 

His golf game reflects this same attitude. Phil took crazy risks on the golf course. He had so much confidence in his short game, that he believed he could save it no matter where he hit it.

But how does that short game translate into his gambling risks? Does he think he’s so charming that he can save it no matter how much he loses?

Well, his former gambling buddy - Billy Walters - claims that “Phil doesn’t care about anybody but himself.” And that “Time and time again, he never stood up for a friend.”

Ouch. How’d you like that said about you?

But … if that’s true … can’t people feel it when they hang around with Phil? I’d like to know how babies and dogs react to Phil … they usually seem to know.

My wife and I have been watching a show about a woman who has that power. It’s called “Poker Face” … she's a human lie detector. The gambling world is after her … so she’s on the run across the country … and everywhere she stops her skill is put to use to solve a murder. It’s actually pretty good - better than my review of it.

I’ve seen YouTubes of how to spot liars … and their “tells” … and I think some of it’s valid … but what about your instinct? I meet people that some people think are charming … but sirens are going off in me … I know they’re shady. 

Don’t ya think it boils down to authenticity? We all have moments of fake smiles, etc … but it’s usually not to take advantage of people, but rather to not rock-the-boat or hurt someone’s feelings. 

I’m not attacking extraverts … you can be extraverted and authentic. A problem for extraverts can be that some people are suspicious of it … and can’t believe it’s real.

But babies and dogs aren’t fooled … they can tell if an extravert is real or not.

Why are people so bad at this? I think it’s because we stop listening to our gut … we stop trusting our ability to think and feel. We’re waiting to hear what everyone else thinks. I’m not talking narcissism …I’m talking about a core sense of figuring out what’s going on. That’s confidence. The narcissist’s thing is arrogance. Big difference.

Phil’s thing is arrogance not confidence. I also think confidence comes from valuing and doing the right thing. 

Is never standing up for a friend … doing the right thing?

Remember the line from that John Mellancamp song “Life goes on … long after the thrill of living is gone”. If that’s how Mellancamp looked at life … I can see why he later gave himself that nickname “Cougar” … he didn’t want to grow up. If life is boring because it’s not thrilling … you need to take a class in Meaning 101.

Is/was Phil Mickelson a great golfer? Yes. Definitely one of the best of all time. Should that give him a pass to live like that? It certainly has - that’s not my call. But that the truth is coming out is always a good thing. I don’t think his charm and short-game can save his reputation.

Cheers!

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

Dignified or Undignified

Greetings Golfers,

The other day, an old friend sent me an article about the "18 most annoying golf partners”. I’d seen it before … but I was glad to see it again … it’s really hilarious. Humor is always based on reality … maybe these characters are a little extreme - but not much. Hit the link to check it out: https://mcusercontent.com/bd86eb3fc12a71ae51e243cf1/files/16ba6363-c0ea-6a5c-5036-919b479dd2d5/The18MostAnnoyingGolfPartners.pdf

We all know these guys … and as the article says … the only worse thing than to play with them, is to be one of them. Now, we’ve all had moments when we’ve been a little bit like one or even all of them. Ouch. But hopefully, it’s not our normal M.O. 

One of our staff recently told me about playing with a guy who didn’t repair his ball mark on the first green. So he did it. Then on #2, this same guy flicked his cigarette butt on the side of the green. So … our guy picked-up the butt. Cig-man, then asked our guy if he worked here. Obviously, he couldn’t figure out why something would do the right thing if there wasn’t a self-serving motive. 

I think this gets really interesting. Cig-man … didn’t apologize - that would be beneath him … he wanted to know our guy’s motivation. For a lot of people, dignity comes from power … not from acting in a moral way. So what is “dignity”? I always thought it came from self-respect. We’ve all seen movies where the character was poor or an outcast … but had dignity. Not the phony dignity of someone too important to lessen themselves with any show of emotion … but rather the dignity that comes from real inner strength. 

In my old age, I pride myself in doing things like cleaning our locker room and taking out the garbage. I want our high-school kids to see me doing that stuff. Not so they feel guilty that I’m doing it … but that you never want to be too good to do what needs to be done.

 Being too good to fix your ball mark? Oh, I guess that’s someone else’s job … after all, I paid good money to play here!

 When people win prize chits in charity events we host … you can’t believe how many people try to negotiate a better deal than what they won. To me, they’ve sacrificed their dignity … I’m actually embarrassed for them. But they don’t see it that way … because for them, dignity is based on power … so every interaction is a win-lose power game.

 Is it naive to deny the reality of power in our world? Of course … like the people who think bears are cute and want to take their picture holding hands with a bear. Might not turn out well. But … you would think that people would find their dignity and self-respect in acting more civilized than an animal.

 So yes … power is definitely part of reality and needs to be acknowledged. But, things like culture and civilization and dignity and graciousness are ways of living that are about being better than just living a life solely based on power. 

A life based solely on money and power cannot never be satisfied … because it’s never enough. It’s like a shark on a feeding frenzy. 

And not only is it never enough … nothing is ever right … because nothing is ever perfect. 

These folks are not a lot of laughs. Because living like this makes them permanently angry. I think they’re mad at God because the world isn’t how they would have made it. Their religion is Narcissism. Right and wrong isn’t moral … right is what they want … wrong is if they can’t have it. 

They also love to give orders and control others - it’s more of their power-trip. But if people defend themselves against their attacks - the defenders are called “selfish”, etc. Because they think it is their right to act and have whatever/however they want. And sometimes, they contend that they say demanding things because they want things right … sort of like it’s their role to run around and tell everyone how to do things … because they’re the only ones who “care”. How manipulative is that?

 But they’re easy to spot. They never say “I’m sorry” … and never say “Thank you”. Why would they? They should be able to do whatever they want and have whatever they want.

 Why am I saying all of this? Because I never read it or hear people talk about it. It’s become normal … but it’s crazy. Ridiculous sayings like “The customer is always right” … and misguided ideas about empowerment … have led to crazy attitudes of entitlement.

 Sure, that article about the “18 most annoying golf partners” is hilarious. But the attitudes behind that behavior is not hilarious. The article was fun because it didn’t show those characters being mean-spirited … they’re just clueless.

 And probably a lot of the nasty narcissists we all deal with are probably clueless. But maybe they need a clue … by their behavior not being tolerated … and people talking about this ignored subject.

Cheers!

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

The Loop

Greetings Golfers,

Last week, a good friend sent me a new article about “Hogan’s secrets”. People are still obsessed with Ben Hogan’s golf swing. And rightly so.

I certainly don’t claim to know Hogan’s secrets … but I do understand what I think was the basis of his swing.

Hang in there with me as I try to explain.

First off … make a figure-eight using a golf club or just putting your hands together. Stand as if you’re addressing a shot … then make a waist-high figure-eight swing. 

Swing out away from your body on the backswing … then … loop it down and behind you on the downswing … then swing out and up away from your body on the forward swing … then swing back down toward your body … and start all over again without stopping.

Keep it slow and easy so you can feel the transitions … and the “lag” in the downswing.

This figure-eight move made the opposite way is death … taking it back inside and then coming over-the-top.

The correct figure-eight move is how you feel swinging in-to-out … and Hogan’s famous supinated left wrist at impact. The bad figure-eight move gives you a collapsed left wrist at impact.

The collapsed left wrist at impact is a disaster. People do it 2 ways: trying to scoop the ball up into the air … and the over-the-top move. No matter how much modern golf clubs try to compensate for that terrible impact-position … the clubs can’t save it.

A similar good move is a shortstop making a sidearm throw to first.

Hogan’s book “The Five Fundamentals” about set-up, grip, backswing, and downswing is great. And he has a drawing about how the downswing is on a lower and different plane than the backswing … and a comment about skipping a stone into the water … which makes sense if you understand the figure-eight analogy.

However, the book can be rigid and confusing. Much of the grip and set-up were important for Hogan … but not necessary for everyone else. And the stuff about the tied-up arms is not good for most players.

What I think is important is Hogan’s motion. None of the other stuff matters if the basic motion of the golf swing is bad.

Speaking of bad … I’ve been bad. I can’t keep-up with emails. If you’ve responded to my blogs recently … and I haven’t replied … please don’t take it personally. Some weeks I get up to 500 responses and I just can’t catch-up. Though I might if we have a rain day.

Also … I’m a villain because I worry about kids setting-up stands near the golf course. It’s not about losing golf ball or lemonade sales. In fact, I admire entrepreneurship. But the other day, one was set-up directly behind a green. The parent sitting there insisted it was safe and that they knew what they were doing. I guess that a bladed wedge-shot coming in at 1,000 mph is no problem if you’re “watching”. I held back my tongue - not about the safety issues - but in response to snarky, nasty comments of the parent. I would never light-someone-up in front of their kid.

I want people to enjoy playing golf. Hogan had an amazing swing that we can all learn from. And people should be safe on or near the golf course. People do hit wild shots. We’re not all Ben Hogan.

Cheers!

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

Living in Reality

Greetings Golfers,

One of my favorite things about golf is that you have to live in reality while playing the game. Hit it … find it … deal with it.

A few weeks ago in an interview … Bernhard Langer responded to one of the dumbest sayings about golf … that it’s “90% mental”.

Here’s Langer’s response:

“If you say that … you have no IQ … I’m sorry. If you put two players together with the same level of technique and experience and capability, then it becomes very much mental, because what is going to differentiate those two guys who are playing on the very top of their game? But if I take you on tomorrow, I don’t know how good you are, but it doesn’t matter. You could be one of the best mental in the world, I could be the worst, and I’m still going to beat you out there just because of the different technique we have, and the different experience we have.”

Thanks Bernhard - we needed that.

Is the typical recreational piano player as good as a concert pianist? Would you go to a concert to see some hack play “chopsticks” or some basic songs?

Same thing. I guess the only difference is that the concert pianist is much stronger mentally.

Wow.

This “everybody wins a trophy” mindset is moronic. Obviously we can see where it comes from … well-meaning but not well-thought-out. If everyone wins a trophy … what’s the point of winning a trophy?

That carries over to the “golf is 90% percent mental” way of thinking.

These ideas of equality are disingenuous. If we value people for qualities such as kindness, morality, responsibility, etc … we don’t have to pretend that the reality of talent, competence, and expertise don’t exist.

But if our value system is shallow … then the reality of human differences is too much to handle.

If that mindset totally took over … PGA TOUR events would be handicapped … and a 36 handicap player might win the Masters.

Well, Bernhard Langer is a former Master’s champion … and a master champion at saying what needs to be said.

Cheers!

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

Slow Down

Greetings Golfers,

When I’m out Rangering … people like to tell me how they’re playing … especially if it’s bad or good. If it’s normal round, they usually don’t talk about it. And if they’re playing poorly … they like to ask me for advice. Without seeing their swing … I always say the same thing “Grip it softer … and slow down your backswing”.

The other day I was watching a guy practice his putting with all of the training aids. His stroke was pretty good … but he never made a thing. His rhythm wasn’t great. His backswing was too quick … and then he decelerated on the forward swing.

He wasn’t nervous … he was just practicing. When people get nervous - they get quick … not just in golf but in everything.

I think the secret to fear/nerves/anxiety … is to slow down. I don’t mean get lazy … I mean to just slow down.

And not to go into passive mode like football teams do when they have a lead and then do a “prevent defense”. Or like when the Gopher hockey team lost in this year’s final after they took a nice lead and went into a non-aggressive style of play. Ugh.

But the worst is a fast backswing and then a slow-weak downswing.

The best is a slow back swing and an aggressive downswing. Obviously it has to be in rhythm … otherwise it’s a mess.

But a slow backswing lets you build up momentum and gives you time to sequence your swing and make a well-timed downswing … even on a putt.

However, someone with a naturally fast swing should not try to be a slow swinger. I mean … a slow backswing for them. Jon Rahm’s a fast swinger … but he shouldn’t try  to swing like Freddie Couples. Yet, Rahm has to keep from rushing too.

I even think this is vital in everyday life. When life heats-up … it’s important to slow down and not speed-up. Too often we over react … whether it’s driving a car or dealing with a tough situation.

I’ve been thinking about this aggressive thing. We all need to live with energy and confidence … but being aggressive in sports is not the same as going around being aggressive towards other people. That’s crazy behavior. Disrespectful and unacceptable. However, defending yourself with aggression is a good thing - like making an aggressive swing at the ball.

I feel our society has gotten confused on this. We seem to value rude, crazy aggressive behavior … yet have no tolerance for defending oneself against such behavior.

That’s like an out-of-control fast backswing and a slow, weak forward-swing.

So … if you’re having a bad round or feeling nerves on the course … slow down your backswing. And if a jerk is getting too aggressive with you … give him a good, strong forward-swing.

Cheers!
 

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