Greetings Golfers,

Modern life has turned into a big spectator sport. I don’t mean just watching sports, but watching everything from politics to warfare. Television gives us a ringside seat to almost anything going on in the world, and the internet offers even more options for viewing.

I’ll admit that I spend a lot of my time spectating. But we only have so many hours in a day, and it’s a shame if we spend too many of those hours as an observer.

I’m kind of a political junkie and a big sports fan, I also watch television and go to movies. Sometimes I feel that my amount of viewing gets out of balance – life needs to be lived, not just observed.

Thank God for golf. We ALL can play the game: old, young, big, small, etc. A buddy of mine lost the use of his right arm in a farming accident, but stills plays golf at least twice a week during the season. We all can find excuses not to play: not enough time, not enough money, not enough talent, etc. But you know what … we seem to find the time and money to watch sporting events, go to movies, etc. We seem to find ways to watch life rather than participate. If being modern means watching rather than doing … well, then we’re going the wrong way and setting a bad example for future generations.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Two years ago we opened for play on March 16. We weren’t forcing it – it was 74 degrees and the course was ready to go. Then last year, we opened at the end of April and then closed for a week in May because of a blizzard.

Both of those years were very unusual.

So, I’ve expected this year to be normal. Our normal opening is around April 7. Will we open around then this year? Maybe. Barry Provo – our Greenkeeper – is a very wise man. He said that the frost under the fairways is minimal, and that the snow is light and not compacted. Thus, once it warms up, spring could come very quickly.

That’s only a month away. Are you ready? I’m not. I need to get in shape. A few weeks ago I played with some serious players, and we all walked and carried our bags. Some of us were tired after only 6 holes. Well not exactly some of us… rather, one of us. I fueled up after 9, but that only carried me for a couple of holes. My last 4 holes were not impressive.

Even though golf is not physically intense – it helps to be in shape.

We won’t open early this year. But we probably won’t open late. That gives us March to get in shape. I don’t mean marathon shape – I mean golf shape.

This Sunday is Spring Ahead … sort of the perfect phrase to get ready for the golf season.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Do you remember that song “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport”? As bizarre as it was – it’s probably the most famous song to come out of Australia.

Who’s the most famous golfer to come out of Australia? That’s pretty easy – Greg Norman. Who’s the best golfer to come out of Australia – Peter Thomson.

Yeah – Peter Thomson. (No p in Thomson). He won 5 British Opens … 3 in a row – 1954, ’55, and ’56.

His final British Open title came in 1965, and is considered his most important because he beat Palmer, Nicklaus, Player and Tony Lema – the defending champ.

Thomson won all over the world, but he didn’t do well in America. He was a low ball hitter who ran the ball onto the green. American courses were too lush for his style of play. His only victory over here was the Texas Open – not exactly lush in those days.

He had a very simple swing and relied on steely nerves, great course management, and excellent putting. This quote from him says it all “The most important facets of golf are careful planning, calm and clear thinking, and the ordinary logic of common sense”.

Does Thomson like the modern game of professional golf? Not so much. He doesn’t like “sluggers” and the emphasis on power instead of control. He especially doesn’t like modern super long, over lush, fast greens courses. Why doesn’t he like fast greens? He thinks it makes putting too easy and takes away from the emphasis on shot making. He says that when they played on slow greens, they never made anything over 10 feet and not much past 5 feet.

As you can see, Thomson’s a pretty opinionated guy. He’s had a newspaper column for 60 years … and people love him or hate him. But everyone respects him and admits that he’s a bright guy and a good man.

Will Adam Scott become the best Australian golfer? Wouldn’t surprise me – he’s ready to dominate. Will Australia come up with a more famous song than “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport”? I sure hope so.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

About 15 years ago at our Annual Ranger/Starter Meeting, I introduced sort of a mission statement. It was called the 3 C’s – Communication, Courtesy, and Commonsense.

It was not a rule book. It just emphasized the need for our staff to use their head. One of our Rangers wanted more signs telling people what not to do. I explained that’s why we have Rangers and not signs. Too often signs are scolding – I don’t pay money to be scolded.

And I don’t want our Rangers scolding people. That’s why the 3 C’s matter. If the Rangers communicate in a courteous way and use common sense … no one gets scolded. Do we need Rangers to keep play moving? Yes. And do we need Rangers to offer assistance if needed. Yes. Signs can’t do those things.

The 3 C’s are at the heart of all service businesses. Robots and signs can’t substitute for a Courteous person with Commonsense who is a good Communicator.

You’d get a kick out of our interview process. Basically, it’s all about the culture of Deer Run GC. If they don’t get it, they don’t get hired – no matter how wonderful their resume may be.

The three C’s – it’s not rocket science … but it’s vital for a good customer experience.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

When I give a lesson, I ask the student if they need surgery or a band-aid. Most opt for the band-aid … and rightfully so. They’re looking for a fix to get them through a bad patch or to survive a round with the boss.

Sometimes surgery is needed … but it’s best to do during the offseason. And there are very good instructors around here to redo your golf swing – but it takes a firm commitment.

All golf swings get out of whack and it’s good to know what your tendencies are. Sometimes you need to apply your own bandage to stop the bleeding.

I’m not talking about a swing key – that’s a different cat. A swing key is just a good thought to have to keep you together when playing golf. Having too many swing keys is not good. One is enough. I disagree with the concept of focussing on the process while playing. I believe you should focus on the result and hit the shot – not focus on your golf swing.

What are some of my band-aids? When I get too wound up on the golf course: I squeeze the club, swing too fast, and I swing back too far on the backswing. If I’m aware that I’m  too ramped up, I remember my tendencies, and make practice swings with softer hands, and slower, shorter swings. Then when I get over my shot, I just try to hit the shot. Hopefully, my practice swings will have solved the problem.

Think about what happens when your golf swing falls apart – maybe you can make your own bandages. If not, see a golf pro/doctor for help. You don’t have to only see a pro for surgery. People are afraid of lessons because they think the pro will overhaul their swing. Doesn’t have to be that way. Just let ‘em know what you need.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Have you ever been to a Druid ritual? Me neither.

But I’ve always wanted to have one at Deer Run. Picture this – at midnight, with bag pipes playing and people in hooded robes … we would repeat some incantations as we threw some hated piece of golf equipment into the fire.

How satisfying would that be?

I’ve got a 3-wood that deserves a fiery death. I bet you’ve got some clubs that you’d love to sacrifice to the golf gods. How about an unlucky shirt? Or an evil pair of golf shoes?

But we couldn’t have too many people – just wouldn’t work. Yet how would we decide who to invite? Should we have a tournament to decide? That’s seems unfair … the winners probably wouldn’t have as many golf demons to deal with. Also, how many items could you sacrifice? Couldn’t be more than one per person … otherwise this ceremony would never end before daylight.

It had better end before daylight – it wouldn’t be good to have early morning golfers witnessing the ritual. Can you imagine the rumors it would start? After awhile, people would be swearing that they saw us sacrificing a goat. You know what I’m saying.

Maybe that’s why we’ve never done it.

Cheers,

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