Greetings Golfers,

Do you remember that scene in “Scent of a Woman” when Al Pacino says “How’s that for cornball?” Well … I’m a cornball. I get moved pretty easily and I love inspirational stories … cornball.

Last Saturday was as inspirational as it gets. I was invited to give golf lessons to Disabled American Veterans at the Marine Base at Parris Island, South Carolina. It was a beautiful day and packed with DAV guys and their families and volunteers.

I’d been complaining all week about my sore neck and screwed-up elbow. Sometimes we need a wake-up call. I saw a half-paralyzed guy hit drives with one arm like a machine – he never missed – and the paralyzed side was his GOOD side … he had to learn to swing with his weak side! Another guy swung from a special golf cart … and killed it with a half-swing just using his arms! I could go on and on … it was amazing!

We’re they complaining? None of ’em. They’d learned not to take anything for granted … they were fun, friendly, grateful, and into it.

If that can’t make you a cornball … nothing can.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Information. We all want information … to be “informed”. How can we make good decisions if we don’t know what’s going on?

I just finished reading “Propaganda” a book written in 1928 by Edward Bernays – the nephew of Sigmund Freud. Bernays praises propaganda … in fact, he uses propaganda to defend propaganda!

Here’s what he says about the use of propaganda “The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in a democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.”

Sounds pretty sinister to me – but not to Bernays … he thinks it’s great! His theories and ideas have been used by business, government, and education ever since. He was known as the “father of public relations”.

Isn’t there a big difference between education and propaganda?

Isn’t that why our First Amendment includes freedom of speech and freedom of the press?

As Lincoln said “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time. But, you can’t fool all of the people all of the time”.

Why am I so ramped up about all of this? Well, I’m on some golf sites that argue about golf instruction. Some guys believe that there should be only one method of golf instruction. Wow. I believe in certain golf swing fundamentals – but there are many ways to get there … and many ways to teach.

Same with running a golf course. Was at a meeting yesterday with some smart people about helping golf owners to survive and thrive. Hospitality emerged as the biggest need … and probably most abused. The corporate operators who own many courses emphasized training. I – representing single courses – emphasized hiring. That makes sense … the big guys want a blank slate … little operations like Deer Run don’t want robots – we want natural “people persons”.

But, no matter how it’s spun, golfers need to learn certain swing fundamentals … and golf operations need to make sure that they have great hospitality. Propaganda can’t change either one of those.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Ten years ago on Super Bowl Sunday, it was -20 degrees in Minnesota. Today, 5 days after Super Bowl Sunday, it might hit 50 degrees in Minnesota.

You better be thinking March golf in Minnesota.

Speaking of the Super Bowl … how crazy was that! And how unbelievable have the recent major championships been in the world of sports?

About a month ago, the NCAA Football Championship game was as amazing as this year’s Super Bowl. Clemson winning with one second to go in the game … really?

And just a few months ago, the Chicago Cubs won maybe the most exciting World Series of all time. I say maybe, because the Twins-Braves Series in 1991 was as good as it gets … and, I actually remember the 1960 World Series when Pittsburg beat the Yankees on a walk-off home run in game 7.

The next big sports thrill is March Madness … last year’s championship game was mind-boggling also … remember Villanova winning on a last second shot?

Don’t forget about golf … how good was the Ryder Cup?

The next big golf event is the Masters. I love all of the Majors … but the Masters is my favorite. Can it live up to all of the other incredible sports championships of the past year? Wouldn’t surprise me at all.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

So Tiger Woods withdrew after the first round in Dubai. Supposedly he had back spasms that wouldn’t relax. He also shot 77 – that probably added to his lack of interest in playing the second round.

As you’ve heard me say before … I’m no lover of this modern golf swing with all of the emphasis on body positions and resistance. No has ever swung the club better than Sam Snead, and he played very well into old age. Everyone talks about Tiger catching Jack’s record of winning Majors … but catching Snead’s record of winning tournaments is even more unrealistic.

Jason Day – the current number one player in the world – is also dealing with back problems … and he’s a kid!

Many years ago Tommy Armour was the best golf instructor in the world – he emphasized good foot work and good hand action. Good footwork is what allows the body to wind-up (pain free) and gets the body back in position on the downswing to hit the ball with the hands. The human body hasn’t changed since Tommy Armour gave golf lessons.

Last week when when I was in Orlando, I was talking to an old friend who has moved to North Carolina. Joe was a good player in Minnesota and has done well in Carolina PGA events. He was telling me that he just came back from a seminar about how to putt with your back muscles – he was pretty impressed. I asked Joe why he thought that he’d been a good player over the years … he said “I’ve got good hands”. So I asked why he would want to quit using his hands and putt with his back muscles. I then asked how old was this putting guru – he was a young guy.

Nothing wrong with being young … but he’s all about hypothetical. He hasn’t been around long enough to see what works. Real science tests the hypotheses.

While at the PGA Show, I met the inventor of the Orange Whip. While he’d been caddying on the Tour, he noticed that they all seemed to have the same swing … not the same body action. Their swings seemed to have the same timing of swinging the clubhead. So he invented this whippy shaft with a big orange ball at the end of the shaft. He had me swing it back and forth, and use my feet to keep my balance so I could keep swinging without stopping.

Mister Orange Whip is really on to something.

I wish Tiger Woods and Jason Day and everyone else would stop working on this modern swing and just start swinging an Orange Whip … and start chipping and putting with their hands.

How can you putt with your back muscles?

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Every year I plan on practicing and playing more golf – unfortunately, every year I practice and play less golf.

So, this winter, I’m going to do something about it. If I start now, I’ll probably carry it into the golf season.

My plan is pretty simple … if it’s too complicated or difficult, I know it won’t happen.

Step one: Swing a weighted club. Nothing tricky – just swing a weighted club back and forth for about 5 minutes. If I can do that almost every day, it will drastically improve my rhythm, flexibility, and golf strength.

Step two: Chip with my sand wedge. This I can do in my office and at home. Again, all I need to do is 5 minutes a day. Chipping will greatly improve my feel of the clubface and improve solid contact with the ball. Not only will it improve my chipping, but it will improve my full shots with all of my clubs.

That’s it. Obviously, if I stretched, lifted weights, rode a stationary bike, swam, etc … I would improve my strength and flexibility. But, I need to take realistic, baby steps. My two step routine would only take 10 minutes a day and probably not put me in the hospital.
For those of you who want to improve your golf game this year, I recommend my two step program. For those of you who really exercise and work out … my hat is off to you … but I still recommend my two step program.

You won’t see me in a swimming suit at the beach next summer, but my two step program will have me playing better golf.

Have a Happy New Year,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Today is the last day.

Give the Gift of Play: Rare and Exclusive Deer Run Golf Club Holiday Special Available online until December 20th (click here).

Dynamic Duo – 2 rounds of golf plus cart, no restrictions: $120 (save up to $18)

Festive Foursome – 4 rounds of golf plus carts, no restrictions: $200 (save up to $76)

Get your Group On – 8 rounds of golf plus carts, no restrictions: $360 (save up to $200)

Gift cards and envelopes are ready for you to personalize and sign.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com           

Greetings Golfers,

(This post might become my Holiday standard. It got so many comments last year that I have to repeat it.)

When I was in college, one of my friends stated that good conversation is the best thing in life. I’d never thought about it – I was young and more into being active.

But now I think he may have been correct. At Deer Run we host a lot of golf events, and what people seem to enjoy the most is the conversation after the golf. People want to talk. Alcohol helps loosen the tongue, but also makes people more tolerant listeners. That combination can really get the conversations going.

Another guy I went to college with was known as “Long Story”. Not only was he long, but he was unbelievably boring. His stories went on forever – they were just random uninteresting information about his day. For example, he’d start to tell you the facts about his morning – such as his breakfast, which would remind him of a breakfast he had years before with someone named Sue, then that would remind him of someone else named Sue … then … you were running for the door. His stories never had a point – they were just uninteresting information.

One weekend back then, I was sick in bed with the flu. Long Story lived for opportunities like this – I was trapped. The flu wasn’t fatal – but the stories almost were – I’m lucky to be here today.

Goethe said that the test of civilization is conversation. A really good conversationalist is like Ricky Rubio with the basketball. Rubio controls the ball, but doesn’t dominate. He keeps the ball moving and passes it to the open player – he keeps everyone in the game. He might try a tricky behind-the-back pass … not to show off, but to get somebody the ball. Witty people can be good for a conversation – but not if they’re just showing off – if they’re keeping the conversation lively and interesting, that’s great – but not if it’s just a trick shot.

Many years ago I read that Jack Nicklaus said he made a point of looking at people during conversations at parties. I’ve tried to that every since … there’s nothing worse than talking to someone who’s always looking around for someone more interesting than you are.

That’s my advice for holiday parties.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Time is running out!

Give the Gift of Play: Rare and Exclusive Deer Run Golf Club Holiday Special Available online until December 20th (click here).

Dynamic Duo – 2 rounds of golf plus cart, no restrictions: $120 (save up to $18)

Festive Foursome – 4 rounds of golf plus carts, no restrictions: $200 (save up to $76)

Get your Group On – 8 rounds of golf plus carts, no restrictions: $360 (save up to $200)

Gift cards and envelopes are ready for you to personalize and sign.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com             

Greetings Golfers,

So the USGA is making a rule change to make the game more fair. If the ball moves on the putting green by wind, etc … or if you accidentally move the ball … it’s not a penalty.

I’m pleased … but not excited. They were the ones who made the goofy rule in the first place.

I do appreciate their attempt to use common sense and make golf more fair. But the definition of fair is not the same to everybody. In fact, it’s probably at the root of much political and philosophical debate.

You all know the saying “Life’s not fair”. I agree with it. But, I don’t agree with using that saying as a license to not be fair in your dealings with people. Nature is unfair – a tornado might hit your house but not your neighbor’s house – life’s not fair. Your neighbor might hire you and your brother to help him clean up his yard. You might do more of the work and he might pay you both the same amount – that’s not fair. He has a right to not be fair – but now you know what kind of a person he is, and probably not someone to do business with.

As to the Rules of Golf. Of course I think they should be fair. But, I think there should only be a rule, if a rule is needed to play the game. For example: if the point of golf is to hit a ball from the tee box to the bottom of the hole on the green … there needs to be rules to define the game – such as you hit the ball with a club only (you don’t throw it) … and you need a rule to continue the game if you lose your ball.

I think the fewer rules, the better. By adding rules to make it more fair is misguided and arrogant … and complicates the beauty of the pure simplicity of the game.

Civilized society is based on the rule of law – not the whims of rulers. But more laws doesn’t mean a better and more civilized society. I hope the USGA is just beginning to start overhauling the rule book. Tyranny can come in many forms – not just a tyrant. A mob can be a tyrant. And an organization can be a tyrant – even if it’s well intended.

Cheers,

Tom

P. S. We’re still selling Holiday Passes – click here to view more information.

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Golf is in the news with Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.

You all know that Tiger is playing his first tournament in 15 months. And Jack made the news by declaring that the longer golf ball is responsible for all of the golf course closings in America.

Are these two news items related? I think so … but you’ll have to bear with me.

First off, Woods had a bizarre opening round. He was 4 under par after 8 holes … but finished the day at 1 over par (73). The leaders tore it up. J.B. Holmes shot an 8 under 64,  Hideki Matsuyama shot 65, and Dustin Johnson shot 66. Those are very good scores. So I looked at their scorecards and those leaders demolished the par 5s … that’s really how they got so far under par.

Jack Nicklaus was the first player to really over-power golf courses. Nicklaus knew because of his length, that the par 5s were par 4s for him … so he was all ready 4 under par before they teed-off. Thus, there was no reason for him to take any risks on the other holes. If he could play par the rest of the holes, he would be 16 under par after 4 rounds and probably win the tournament.

Woods took Nicklaus’ model and ran with it. Drive it far and putt great.

So now, there’s a bunch of young guys playing power golf. The PGA Tour loves it … and they’ve built their courses to reward the bombers and punish the shorter, precision players.

But, building recreational courses at PGA Tour length doesn’t work very well – they’re just too long. Jack seems to think that because of the length of the Tour bombers, older classic courses aren’t long enough … so that new balls have to be invented to play at different length courses. I’m not making this up … If it sounds pretty convoluted – it is.

I know you’re probably getting tired of me beating this drum … but I have to say it again. PGA Tour golf and recreational golf are two different games.

The PGA Tour has become a bombers’ game. Jack and Tiger led that charge. Can Tiger keep up with the young bombers? If he can’t, he won’t catch Jack’s record.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com