What America is About
Greetings Golfers,
Obviously, we have a lot of difference of opinions in America.
I think that’s healthy.
And I highly value free thinking. And I like to think most of us do - we’re Americans.
We welcome all to Deer Run GC. Race, religion, rich, poor, political views … I can go on and on. You’re welcome here.
But whether or not you can stay and/or come back … is about your behavior.
Bad behavior. Especially mistreating our staff is not acceptable. We don’t care who you are. What “side” you’re on doesn’t give you the right to be a jerk. Or, vice-versa.
At DRGC … you are judged by your behavior.
It’s that simple.
Isn’t that what America is about?
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Golf Is Our Game
Greetings Golfers,
Well, professional golf is in the news. Looks like the PGA Tour has some new billionaire investors.
Of course Greg Norman is taking credit for it. He believes that LIV has boosted the PGA Tour out of its doldrums into the exciting world of modern sports.
Norman and LIV may well be responsible. But is that a good thing?
I don’t know. Not sure how this will evolve (or devolve).
However, I do know that the game of golf is healthier than ever. Last week the PGA Show in Orlando was fantastic. Obviously, I’ve seen a lot of highs and lows with golf and the PGA Show. But this is different. Golf is young and cool in a way it never has been.
Though I’m a traditionalist in a lot of ways … I never liked the stuffy, stodgy scene. Golf is better than that.
I don’t like gimmicks … and I don’t like cutesy. Golf doesn’t need it. Just pure basic golf is great. And it needs to be played for the fun and joy of it.
Young people are bringing that attitude to golf. And it needs it. I love hearing laughter on the golf course. I don’t get the somber funeral-esque attitude some people bring to the game. There’s a big difference between rudeness and someone not knowing every intricate form of golf etiquette.
And I know golf etiquette folks who are rude. They aren’t genuinely respectful of the people they play with. They use rules and etiquette the same way that sleazy lawyers misuse the law for advantage rather than justice.
Should professional golf follow the trends of amateur golf? Maybe. But I think serious amateur golf - US Amateur, State Ams, college golf, etc … should be pure and serious. And, the Majors - US Open, the Open, the Masters, and the PGA - should be pure and serious. Yet … there is room for goofiness like the Phoenix Open and even the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Maybe even stuff like the LIV team tournaments.
But is that a license for professional golf to get into bed with investors who just want to make money? I don’t think so. I hope professional golf keeps some integrity. Money shouldn't make everyone sell-out … but often it does. Thus the need for high-level amateur golf to remain pure.
What about recreational golf? I think it should be fun. Should it be pure amateur golf? Maybe once in a while … but certainly not daily. Should it be goofy like the Phoenix Open? Maybe once in a while … but certainly not daily. I think it should be mostly a game played with friends and family for the sheer joy of the game and the people you’re with.
And if that means golf carts and beverage carts and fun clothing and 50 inch drivers … go for it. But I still want 4 hour rounds and respectful people having fun in the process.
This isn’t rocket science.
Golf is a great game that is flexible … it doesn’t have to be rigid. But it shouldn’t lose the essence of the game through misguided people who always think “more is more”. Too often “more is more” junks things up. I always have to remind our Monday golf events about that. Hitting a marshmallow with a hockey stick doesn’t add enjoyment to a round of golf - it’s just annoying and slows down the pace-of-play … which is more than annoying.
What was good last week at the PGA Show? I’ll start at the west end of the convention center:
Driving range and simulator systems
Golf equipment
Golf carts
Signage, podiums, water-coolers, etc
Tech systems
Head covers and accessories
Shoes
Hats
Traditional mens clothing
Womens clothing (my staff assured me)
New, fun mens clothing
But especially good was the atmosphere. It was fun and enthusiastic and friendly and confident and optimistic.
The game of golf is in a very good place. Whether or not the professional game is in a good place … doesn’t really matter. Golf is a game to be played … by all of us.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Live From The Inside
Greetings Golfers,
Because I’ll be at the PGA Show this week … I’m writing this before I get there. So that’s my excuse if today’s blog doesn’t seem up-to-date.
Last Sunday, Nick Dunlap won the Tour event played in Palm Desert. As you probably know - Dunlap is a 20 year-old at the U of Alabama. An amateur hadn’t won on Tour since Phil Mickelson won the Tucson Open in 1991.
Hopefully you watched some of it … especially the last hole where he got it up-and-down to win by one shot.
And last Sunday we watched the NFL playoffs. It’s amazing how often the games go right down to the wire - just like how that golf tournament was won on the last hole.
Amateur Dunlap told the media “Pressure is a privilege”.
How cool is that?
Here’s another great saying about the right kind of privilege … by Rudyard Kipling:
“The individual has always struggled to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high for the privilege of owning yourself.”
Both quotes are about the privilege of personal responsibility.
I’m going to make some leaps and try to connect the dots … hang in there with me.
Received a lot of responses about last week’s blog. Basically about whether the swing comes from inside ourself … or mechanically from the outside.
And … the other day we went to a local store - sort of like a Home Depot - but a one owner store. As we parked in the lot, I saw the owner pushing shopping carts from the parking lot to the store. Wasn’t surprised. Though the man is in his 80s and rich - he’s there out of love, not money. We've talked a lot. He was born poor and is a self-made man. And as one of his employees said to me “The store is a gem and the town is proud of it”.
I told her to enjoy it while she can, because when he goes, the party’s over. You can’t believe how great the vibe is. I’m talking a giant hardware type store - not a typically fun type of business. It’s “over-staffed” and the culture is warm and relaxed and friendly. And he’s there every day … talking to customers and staff and just making sure everything is good.
Could he turn it into a chain like Home Depot? No. He can only be at one store. A big corporation is going to run it exactly the opposite. It’s going to be run from the “outside”. Mechanically. There’s no place for Kipling’s individual.
Also down here is my favorite restaurant. I mean my FAVORITE restaurant. You can’t believe how good the vibe is. Yeah, I really like the food… but it’s about the experience. And I don’t mean some silly fake “experience” … I mean a genuinely fun, charming, relaxed atmosphere. They haven’t changed the menu or anything in years. It’s on a side street and oddly decorated and just really comfortable. And it’s full every night it’s open. In fact the out-of-town members of a local elite golf club come over in their club van … instead of going to the pretentious local restaurants.
It’s run from the inside. If a restaurant chain ever takes it over … well … again, the party will be over.
The coach of the KC Chiefs - Andy Reid - lets Patrick Mahomes play. That’s why they win. A lot of other coaches wouldn’t let Mahomes be Mahomes. (On a side note - Mahomes dad used to play here at DRGC when he pitched for the Twins - he was a nice, quiet, respectful guy.)
Obviously life needs structure. Football teams need a game plan. Businesses need to be organized and structured. Your golf swing needs a basic structure. But you need to swing the golf club! Your structure won’t swing it for you.
I worry that our society is becoming too mechanical - too much from the outside.
Years ago, a Nobel prize-winning physiologist wrote “Man must learn the necessary relations of the cosmic universe, of their fellow men and of their inner selves, and also of their tissues and their mind. Humanity’s attention must turn from the machines of the world of inanimate matter to the body and soul of man, to the organic and mental processes which have created the machines and the universe of Newton and Einstein”.
Wow - that’s pretty heavy-duty. But he wasn’t a knucklehead. He’s a smart guy who’s trying to warn us about becoming too mechanical. Nothing wrong with machines … but let’s use what’s in us to create a machine … not try to be a machine.
So after all those quotes … here’s my quote “It’s a privilege to be a person.”
I don’t want to be a machine.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Swing the Clubhead
Greetings Golfers,
Played golf two Mondays ago with the usual bunch of guys. And, played with an older guy who seemed to be one of the boys … but I’d never met or played with him.
On the first hole, we were both right behind the green side bunker with a tricky shot to the pin. Though we were in the fairway, we were both basically hitting off of bare lies … not easy shots.
This fellow played the purest little cut-shot right up by the pin. I gouged mine into the bunker and was fortunate to make bogey.
The next hole is a par 3 … and another tricky shot … a bunker guarding the middle-right-side of the green … and a sloping hill on the left-side of the green. This guy hits a perfect little hybrid shot right between the bunker and left side of the green and was just the right distance below the pin.
Well, this went on the whole front nine. Did I mention his putting? … Hmmmm … It was so pretty … the ball seemed to roll slowly, but would keep on rolling … usually into the hole. Well not really, because the cups are crowned and his pretty putts would often fall off.
I could tell he was annoyed - but he never said anything.
Finally after #10, I just said to him “What’s your story?” He replied that in his youth, he used to play for serious money. One time he was flown to Texas by a guy to play a match against Lee Trevino and Raymond Floyd.
He’s older than I am … probably 5’8” and 150 pounds … broke his back last year … can’t move how he wants to … but … he can swing the golf club.
Swing the golf club.
Have you ever heard of Ernest Jones? His book “Swing the Clubhead”?
You should. Read his page on Wikipedia.
Ernest Jones was born in England and became a Head Golf Pro in 1912 at age 25. He was a top golfer before WWI … but lost his right leg in the war.
Worried that his golf career was finished, he played and his first round was 83. Shortly after, he shot 72 on a long, difficult course.
Talk about a wake-up call. Thus the obsession to figure out why … and how.
I’ve always struggled with solid ball-striking down here … especially at the mud-fairway course. It’s not like Minnesota … it’s bermuda grass, tight-dormant fairways … and often soft and muddy. And I’ve never been a “picker” … I’ve always led with my hands and liked “hitting” the ball.
That style hasn’t worked too well here. So, I’ve been constantly changing my swing … with limited success … and never really trusting it.
After that round with Mr. Smooth … I went out to play alone and work on things. I remembered a quote from Hogan to Gary Player when asked how to hit it off wet fairways “Hit it one groove lower on the club face”. So I tried it … and it worked. And I kept trying it and it kept working. My total focus was on the clubhead. Not just the clubhead, but exactly where I wanted to hit the ball - low middle on the clubface. No swing thoughts. Just look at my target … visualize the shot … and then feel the low-middle of the clubface in my waggle … and feel it all through my swing.
Played 9 holes the next day … same focus … same success.
Then … the acid test. I played Monday with the boys … and got paired-up again with Mr. Smooth. And … and … yes … it worked.The best I’ve played down here in a few years..
Ernest Jones: “Just because golf is elusive, is no reason to complicate it.”
Is my low-middle idea good for everyone? Maybe not … but Ernest Jones’ ideas about “swinging the clubhead” certainly are. It got me to focus on the clubface instead of my golf swing.
Basically it comes down to the “chicken or the egg”.
Most instruction is about making the right body movements and letting the hands follow.
Jones is about swinging the club and letting the body follow.
We probably need to learn both. But if you get as out-of-whack as I was … try swinging the club and focusing on the clubface.
And … please read the Ernest Jones Wikipedia page!
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Golf - Golf Courses - Michael Jordan and Jesse Stone
Greetings Golfers,
Though it’s nice to be here in South Carolina … it’s not hot … barely even warm. But I have played golf … not in shorts and short-sleeves … but in a jacket and cords.
I’m not complaining.
But I will complain about my golf game. First day - no expectations - played well and was one of the big winners. Next day - played great - and was the big winner. Then, played a few days later - played terribly and was the big loser.
How golf is that? How life is that?
Just read that Rory McIlroy shot 62 in the first round in Dubai. Michael Jordan’s club Pro got an invite and shot 87. Guys aren’t happy. I’m sure the club Pro is a good player … but that’s a different world.
Here’s a link to an article about Jordan’s club in Florida: https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-jordan-23-golf-course#:~:text=Michael%20Jordan's%20exclusive%20golf%20club,MJ%20has%20such%20an%20advantage.
If you read the article, Jordan had the course designed so that the fairways are wide for his short drives … but really narrow for long drivers. So when he plays against Tour players (and they have to give him 10 shots) the course plays to his game.
That’s an option to not rolling back the ball - just narrow the fairways for the long drivers.
Jordan had Bobby Weed design the course. Weed designed a course near us down here. It’s a fun layout in a nice neighborhood and some holes are on the intercostal. Big success - right? Wrong. It’s had 5 owners since we’ve been here … and was just plain closed for 3-4 years. Was public … now they’re taking it private. Hmmmmm.
About 10 years ago, a businessman from Boston bought it. He thought he stole it because it was so undervalued. He thinks business is in the buy. He likes to flip stuff. However, golf courses have needs. We all know that restaurants have needs. Stuff wears-out. Golf courses can be money pits. I tried warning him. Then, saw him a year later and asked how it’s going. He said that he lost $1M his first year and “what should I do?”. I said “Sell it before you lose another million”.
I read that Michael Jordan is a billionaire. And that his clubhouse cost $15-20M. I’m glad he’s a billionaire … he’ll need it for this toy.
The other 2 local public courses are under new ownership. I hope somebody makes it. I don’t want to drive to Hilton Head to play golf.
Why is it so hard? Because the expenses are crazy. One of these new owners wants to install paved cart-paths … the quote to do it - $1.4M. And … he needs new carts, watering system, mowers, etc. The other course needs the same stuff. All 3 of these local courses were beautiful when first built. But the owners didn’t keep putting the money back in. Golf courses are like a garden - they need love and constant attention … and money!
This life of leisure is fun. But I’m going to the PGA Show in Orlando in a little over a week. Not exactly hard work … but not leisure. I’ll be back in MN on March 1 … this leisure goes by in a minute.
So … I play some golf … read a little … sleep a lot … and watch tv. Have you seen those “Jesse Stone” shows? Tom Selleck is Jesse Stone … an old cop who moved from LA to a little town near Boston. He drinks too much … but has a great dog … and solves crimes. It’s really likable. I think there’s 9 episodes. First one was made in 2006 … I think the final was made in 2016. If you’re not playing golf and need a good diversion - check it out. I recommend it even if you’re playing golf.
I hope my next round isn’t terrible.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
A Blast From The Past
Greetings Golfers,
I’ve been on the road all week … driving to SC. Heard some interesting podcasts … and watched a little of the original “True Grit” movie the other night. The movie reminded me of a blog I wrote in January, 2011 … about the then new version of “True Grit” by the Coen brothers.
So here is the blog. It’s interesting to read it now. The tone wasn't very friendly. I must have been having a tough winter. Enjoy!
Jan. 1, 2011 "Year End Thoughts"
2010 was an odd year. It felt like the country was on the verge of an economic depression … maybe that’s why the year seemed so unfocused, sort of like everyone was living in limbo waiting to see what was going to happen. It was definitely not a bold, clear year.
Speaking of limbo … how about those Vikings? How come no one is talking about that since Childress has left, that the defense is playing with aggression and finally blitzing. Obviously, the offense has been more aggressive … but why no talk of the defense? And … why all of the hatred toward Favre? He was handcuffed by Chilly all year …or he was hurt … why does Chilly have a free pass? His ridiculous style of football is why the season was a disaster. The local media boys hate Favre and love to pound on him while he’s down … they were always on Chilly’s side … they love mediocrity … they should read a little Nietzsche and grow some stones.
Speaking of Nietzsche … he would have seen this year of limbo as a classic example of modern herd mentality. I just read a moronic review of TRUE GRIT … it’s a great movie, and this reviewer only saw it from a Marxist point of view … he was disturbed that it wasn’t politically correct … well, the era that the movie takes place in wasn’t politically correct … what does he expect? This constant need to blame independent personalities (Favre) and love the weakness of mob mentality is shocking. I would have thought that the advent of industrialism and technology would have freed up people enough to break away from the herd … instead, the herd mentality seems even stronger than ever … you’ve got the commune weenies on one side and the Babbitt idiots on the other side … where are independent individuals?
Let’s loosen up the reins and start living like real people … how’s that for a goal for 2011?
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Happy New Year
Greetings Golfers,
Every year, most of us look forward to a new year - a new beginning (some years more than others!).
And New Year resolutions have become as normal to the New Year as Christmas presents are to Christmas.
Probably the most typical resolutions are about health: losing weight, getting in shape, etc.
Being golfers, we need to do those things … and improve our golf game. We can always improve our chipping and putting. And, improve our golf swing. But just improving our golf swing won’t make-up for not improving our health and short-game.
We need to do it all.
That wasn’t meant to sound overwhelming … it’s just the truth. We can do it … but, I recommend baby steps … not leaps. Everyday, eat better (and less) … do some exercises … go for a walk. You’re not Rocky preparing to fight Apollo Creed … you’re just trying to improve.
We all want to hear what we want to hear. Thus … we’re vulnerable to quick fixes, magic pills, short cuts, etc. But hearing what you want to hear isn’t always good.
Well, I have no agenda. I’m not running for office or selling a video of how to be a scratch player in one week. I’m just recommending being the tortoise instead of the hare.
It will be a good year … step-by-step.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
What Is Unseen?
Greetings Golfers,
One of my all time favorite books is “That Which Is Seen, and That Which Is Not Seen” by Frederic Bastiat. Though Bastiat wrote his treatise on economics, the premise applies to understanding anything.
As we grow up, hopefully, we learn from experience. But, too often, we only learn the immediate result - we don’t see the other results of our actions. Usually, our actions have unintended consequences. Thus, we need to develop foresight to become aware of the consequences of our actions.
Usually, the quick fix doesn’t solve the problem because it doesn’t get to the root of the problem. Obviously if you’re bleeding, you need a band-aid - but, band-aids are usually only temporary fixes.
You get the point ... you don’t need me to belabor how short-sightedness hurts our health, our relationships, our businesses, our economy, etc.
What blows my mind is that Bastiat wrote this book in 1840, and it seems that we still haven’t learned this basic lesson. Maybe it’s because our lives are so short that society doesn’t learn mature lessons.
Ironically, as we become more modern and “advanced”, we want immediate gratification. A fast-paced consumer society can easily become shallow and short-sighted. But a communistic society is based on “materialism” - I mean the Marxist definition of materialism - that life is only what you see (matter) and not spiritual.
I believe that the lack of spirituality is at the root of the problem. If humans do not believe that life is more than it seems ... their view of life has to be pretty superficial. The depth of life is what gives it meaning, what makes it make sense - it is “that which is unseen”.
The beauty of the Christmas season is wonderful - enjoy it. But, especially treasure the beauty that underlies the visible world ... that’s what this Holiday Season is really about.
Merry Christmas.
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Joy Of The Internet
Greetings Golfers,
We all know that Tech … computers … cell phones … social media, etc … have brought problems into the modern world.
But, the internet can be an amazing source of information.
I’d like to share with you what would have been magazine articles … but are now internet articles and easy to share. It’s a lot easier than cutting out the articles and sending them to you in the mail. I’ll just give out the links. Hurrah!
Here are the 3 subjects:
Sandy Koufax - Hall of Fame pitcher
A cool golf course opening in SC
A valuable concept of the golf swing
Ok … let’s start with Sandy Koufax. I’m old even to remember the ’65 World Series when he and the Dodgers beat the Twins in 7 games. Young people have no idea how good he was. He was very private and the opposite of a sell-out. Take a look at this article here. Enjoy!
Next … some young guys are building 2 courses in South Carolina. They emphasize fast play … a good, yet simple golf shop … and good, yet simple food service. Best of all … their motto is: “Don’t be a dick”. Ahhhhhhh. There is hope. Here’s the link. Enjoy.
And finally … a good understanding of what’s important in the golf swing … and a good swing thought to make it work. As a student in the video says “I don’t want to know how the watch works - I want to know what time it is.” Here is the link.
Hope you enjoy those articles as much as I did. Nouns can be interesting - “People - Place or Thing” … if you let me call the golf swing a “Thing”.
The internet can be a good thing - a great way to share what you love to read.
Also … a reminder - our Holiday Passes go off sale after Dec. 20. Can’t believe it’s almost Christmas!
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
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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…
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.
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!).
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.
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.
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