Greetings Golfers,

Last week, the world lost everyone’s favorite James Bond – Sean Connery. Actually, his full name was Thomas Sean Connery. You can never have enough Toms … especially when it comes to golf: Old Tom Morris, Tommy Armour, Tom Watson, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Kite, Tom Lehman, Tom Nicklaus, Tom Palmer, Tom Woods, Tom Mickelson, Tom Ballesteros, Tom Norman, Tom Fowler, Tom McIlroy, Tom Koepka … the list just goes on and on.

Well, Tom/Sean Connery was a golf fanatic. In fact he became a member of the Royal and Ancient and played in a lot of club tournaments on the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Of course he did … he was a Scotsman. And he kept that Scottish brogue throughout his 60+ year acting career.

No matter what role he played … he was cool. And he was especially cool as 007. You need to rewatch the movie “Goldfinger” … it’s fun and hilarious. The best scene in the movie is when Bond plays golf with Goldfinger and his caddie Oddjob.

Connery had a good golf swing … you can see it in “Goldfinger”. He partnered with Hale Irwin to win the 1996 Lexus Challenge with a 21-under par total of 123.

Like a lot of us, he became obsessed with golf. In his own words: “I began to take lessons on a course near the Pinewood film studios, and was immediately hooked on the game. Soon it would nearly take over my life. I began to see golf as a metaphor for living, for in golf you are basically on your own, competing against yourself and always trying to do better. If you cheat, you will be the loser, because you are cheating yourself.”

How good was that? Spoken like a true Tom.

R.I.P.

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
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

Once in awhile, you meet someone who “gets it”.

Well, I didn’t meet Forrest Richardson, however, I just watched a video he made about golf course architecture … and he “gets it”. Not just golf architecture … but the game of golf.

Richardson is the new president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. His love of golf … and his understanding of why people play golf and why it is important to our society and our planet is mind-boggling and inspiring.

In the film he says “The game of 400 years ago was nothing like it is today. The term ‘golf course’ meant nothing until the game had been played for several hundred years.”

More: “We need to keep looking at new formats for courses. We’ve had such a great run of looking at designs that break the mold. Our creativity needs to ramp up as we define what a golf course is and what it can be. Exciting stuff is happening across the world, but I’m certain not everything has been done or considered when figuring out how we design holes or how these new courses are going to look.”

Richardson is not a “change for change sake” guy … he wants golf course designers to ‘keep thinking’.

In fact, he says ‘Less is More’: “Playing the game does not rely on hundreds of acres. That model will live on, but we need to plan smaller footprints or even not leave a footprint at all … rethink the water, the materials, the labor, the resources we use to build and maintain a golf course. The same creativity holds true with practice. Whether indoors or out, fun is now part of the program.”

“Let’s start asking whether there are new ways to play the game, and also the wheres, the whens, and the who? The game itself is where we can make a difference, and creativity is where we will help mold the game to fit an entirely new generation that has yet to come to golf. Golf courses of the future should be different, and they will be. We have the opportunity to ensure that difference will be more fun, more enjoyable, more diverse and inviting”.

See what I mean? … he gets it.

https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/our-creativity-needs-to-ramp-up-says-new-asgca-president#.X4klGayE5tw.linkedin.

Please hit the link and watch the video. His passion comes through … with intelligence, creativity, and a love of people and golf.  

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
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

A week ago I wrote that we were planning on staying open until Nov.1. Hmmm. Looks like I didn’t make a good call. My sympathies to the local weathermen. They get beat-up around here pretty often … everyone’s a Monday Morning Quarterback (just ask Mike Zimmer).

Though the forecasts aren’t always perfect … we do  know that the next few (4) months probably won’t be golf weather in Minnesota.

Now might be a good time to start planning a winter golf trip. Of course everyone thinks of Arizona and South Florida. But, I said golf trip … not hang-out at the pool trip. So … that opens the door to a much larger swath of the country.

Here are some places to consider that are golf-able and probably pretty affordable:

*    Pinehurst, NC

*    Myrtle Beach, SC

*    Hilton Head, SC

*    Savannah, GA

*    St. Augustine, FL

*    Panama Beach, FL

*    Alabama Golf Trail

*    San Antonio, TX

*    Albuquerque , NM

*    St. George, UT

*    Laughlin, NV

I’m sure there a lot of places that I missed, but I’ve played golf in most of those places during winter months and had a great time.

Can I guarantee great weather? Hardly … I’m not even  good at predicting the weather next week in Minnesota. But, I can predict that it probably won’t snow in those places and you will be able to play golf.

I know these golf simulators are fun … but, they’re just to prepare you to play golf. Real golf. And real golf doesn’t have to be shorts and short-sleeves.

Sweaters and golf are a good fit. You don’t need hot weather to play golf. And some of us (me) are better off not hanging-out at swimming pools.

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
www.twit

Greetings Golfers.

Fall is a time of reflection. Can’t believe it’s October 16.

This has definitely been a strange year. I have to admit that I’m looking forward to putting the golf course to bed.

I think it’s because more than anything … I’m relieved. Like most golf courses, we had a very good year. Obviously the COVID restrictions put golf back on the radar. It was one of the things people could safely do … and they did it. And enjoyed it. And kept coming back for more.

Even this week … cold and windy … we’ve been packed every day. So, we’re going to stay open through Sunday, November 1. That’s late for us. Daylight Savings ends … and the window for play becomes very small.

However, we’ve punched the greens … so we’re only charging Fall Rates.

We also built a berm around #12 green. It’s beautiful. In fact, when you play, make sure that you have a golf towel with you … because the beauty of #12 will make you weep. It’s hard to play golf with tears in your eyes, so make sure that towel is clean.

Since I’m on a self-serving rant … I might as well go all the way. Tee Times Magazine just released their Annual Readers Choice Awards. Click HERE for the results.

We all know that Minnesotans are exceptionally intelligent … and especially Minnesota golfers. And especially the readers of Tee Times Magazine.

So, thank you to the readers … your support is much appreciated.

And to everyone who played golf at Deer Run GC this year – your support is much appreciated.

These are and were trying times. Hopefully things will go back to normal next year.

To all of you … we will get through this … and I’m glad if golf helped.

As I reflect, I realize how grateful I am to golf and golfers.

Thank you,

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
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

JFK was a witty guy and left us a lot of great quotes. But, this one is my favorite “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.”

How can you not love that?

Isn’t that what golf is all about? Not needing an easy course with perfect weather … but being able to deal with whatever the course and weather throw at you.

That’s playing the game of golf.

It seems to me that too many people want a perfect swing and perfect conditions … that anything less than that isn’t golf.

Actually it’s the opposite.

Golf is about relishing the challenge. And, it will provide a challenge. In fact, every shot is a challenge. Some are just harder than others.

Years ago, when we were visiting our son Mikey in Ireland, he and I went out to play Cork CC. It was March and typical Irish weather – cold (40 degrees) and really windy … and even a little bit rainy/sleety. It was a Wednesday and the course was packed. On the way to the first tee … a gent about 80 years old … looked at us and announced “What a glorious day!” He meant it. Not just a glorious day for golf … but, a glorious day to be alive.

That old fellow is my hero. I try to live that way every day. But, I need reminders. And golf is one of the best reminders I know.

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
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

The worst thing for a salesman, is to have a reputation as someone who “Over-promises and under-delivers”.

As the world has gotten faster and people move around, it’s become easier for con-men to do their thing. And at the heart of a con, is to tell people what they want to hear – not the truth.

Too much of our political world has become about over-promising. People want to hear what they want to hear … but they should be skeptical if it sounds too good to be true.

Businesses are also guilty of over-promising. Many do it under the guise of “listening to the customer”.

Let’s say that a restaurant tries to please people with what they do well, rather than try to satisfy the whims of everyone. So, they have a limited menu of what they do well … the staff gets it and also provides good service. That’s a nice combination – I can see why they would be successful.

However, what if they vary from their model? Such as: letting people order meals that are not on the menu. Well, it probably wouldn’t taste very good, and would slow-up the kitchen and screw everything up. And, what if they didn’t have someone’s favorite liquor – so they let them bring in their own liquor? And, what if the customers only want to pay for part of a meal? How does that work?

A quality business cannot operate like that. Actually, it’s a lazy and weak way to operate … though it sounds open-minded and accommodating (at first).

I go to restaurants for an experience. Hopefully they provide food and an atmosphere that I don’t have at home. I stay out of their way and let them do their job.

“Too many chefs ruin the soup”. And if every customer becomes a “chef” … a quality product and experience is almost impossible.

Can you imagine what would happen to a public golf course if they adopted those attitudes?

That’s why there are private clubs … so that the members can have more say in what is offered. But, they sure don’t have total say and get everything they want. If they do want everything their way … they’ll have buy a club and be the only member.

Any golf club – private or especially public – that offers everything to everyone … is just “over-promising”.

And, then they have only one option … to “under-deliver”.

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
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

“Uncontrolled power is the very devil – in golf or anywhere else.” Words of wisdom from Percy Boomer – probably the wisest golf instructor of all time.

Of course I’m referring to last week’s US Open and Bryson DeChambeau’s amazing victory. As you know, he was the only player who finished under par … and it wasn’t even close – he won by 6 shots.

But the reason for all of the discussion, is that he focused on power – on hitting it as far as he could off the tee … on a course with serious rough.

Commentators keep saying that he defied logic. Just the opposite. His strategy of length, allowed him to hit wedges out of the rough instead of using unmanageable longer clubs. That’s using logic.

So, let’s use logic for your game. Are you a plus 6 handicap Tour player who needs to beat the best players in the world? Probably not. I’m not either. We need to navigate safely around the golf course.

Let me make an analogy to car racing. If you’re going to win a NASCAR race you basically have to keep the pedal to the floor the whole time. If you just drive safely, you’ll get passed continually and never win.

Same with a Tour player. They need to constantly attack the golf course. But remember – these are the best players in the world.

When I play golf … I don’t want to crash and burn. My game is about control. It’s not exciting, but I don’t like making triple bogeys. I don’t want “car accidents”.

Tour players are in control. So much so, that they can keep ramping up the speed – just like a professional race car driver.

When I used to give lessons, very often I took the hard to hit clubs out of my student’s bags. When they complained that I was making it difficult for them to reach par 5s in two shots … I replied that when they were consistently shooting par golf, then we would start working on those clubs.

What separates most players is their short game. Tour players have unbelievable short games. Bryson DeChambeau maximized his power with the strength of his short game. His ability to scramble gave him the luxury of playing super-aggressive golf.

And, the second place finisher – Matthew Wolff – also played aggressive power golf. Wolff also has an unbelievable short game.

If you want to play better golf and shoot lower scores … focus on your short game. If your short game is really good … and the rest of your game is pretty consistent … but a lack of power is your weakness … experiment with a longer driver.

My own bag of clubs is an odd mix. I still use blade irons – I’m not looking for length from my irons … I want feel and control. However, I am using a goofy hot-faced driver with a long, flexible graphite shaft. My swing speed has significantly slowed down over the years. My longest iron is a 6 iron.

For me to try to play power golf is absurd. And it shouldn’t be the focus of most players – even younger players. Control is the name of the game.

Of course I’d like to hit it far. We all want to hit far. I get it.

And, if you don’t really care about your score and just want to whale-away … go for it.

Back to Percy Boomer … out of control power is not a good thing. You can still be aggressive – golf is about strategy and skill. Be smart. Reckless is not smart. But that doesn’t mean to be a wimp.

Take control of your game. That’s what we all need to do.

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
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

This week the US Open returns to Winged Foot (I’m writing this before they play on Thursday). The rumor is that the course is playing very difficult, and that the scores will be high. I heard talk that 8 over par will win.

That’s a big number for the best players in the world.

The 1974 US Open was known as the “Massacre at Winged Foot” … Hale Irwin won at 7 over.

Hale Irwin won 3 US Opens. And he won 45 tournaments on the Champions Tour. His record is crazy good. But do you know much about him? Do you think of him when people talk about golf’s all-time great players?

Speaking of great players, Claude Harmon was the Head Pro at Winged Foot from 1945-1978. He won the Masters in 1948. And, he holds the course record on both the West and East Courses at Winged Foot. To keep himself interested when he played his home courses … he would change his game depending on the wind. One day he would play every shot against the wind … and the next day he would play every shot with the wind … obviously drawing or fading it at will.

No surprise that those Harmon boys became superstar golf instructors.

Butch Harmon wasn’t Phil Mickelson’s instructor in 2006. That was the year that Phil double bogeyed the last hole of the US Open (at Winged Foot) to lose by one shot. It wasn’t pretty. Butch became Phil’s coach in 2007 – probably a year too late.

Can Phil win his coveted US Open this week? He’s 50 years old … so he’s running out of miles … though he doesn’t hit it like a 50 year old. However, Winged Foot is more about control than length.

This has been a weird year. The US Open being played in September? Why not? This year is already upside-down. Maybe this is Phil’s time … could be another “Massacre at Winged Foot”. However, it’s more likely that a Hale Irwin type of player will win – a grinder who hits it straight.

If the winner is 8 over par … imagine what the bad scores will be. They might start wearing full face-masks.

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
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

Once upon a time, sports were played for the love of the game. The best in the world were amateurs … the Olympics, the US Amateur in golf and tennis, college sports, etc.

Then, businessmen saw a market … sort of a version of the Barnum & Bailey Circus … and created pro sports.

Professional baseball was the leader of the pack. The NFL, NBA, and NHL didn’t really bloom until the 1960s.

Not surprisingly, in Major League Baseball’s early years, the 1919 World Series was rocked by a betting scandal involving some of the players – the tarnished Chicago “Black Sox”.

When sports are about money instead of honor … cheating scandals are bound to happen.

Professional golf has never been hit with such scandals … it’s not a big betting game for the fans, like it is with the NFL. Probably, more fans care about who wins the Super Bowl because of their bets than the game itself.

Fortunately, most people care about the Masters and US Open for the golf itself, rather than because they are betting on the players.

So, what’s the deal with the FedEx Cup? Does the enormous prize money make you care? Obviously, I can see why the players care … but do you care?

If that’s the motivation … why not just watch people flip a coin to see who wins? I want to watch skill and strategy … I don’t care about how much money they’re playing for.

Even for my own game … I play for the fun and challenge of golf. We all enjoy winning a few bucks or a pro shop chit … but if that’s why we play golf … well, I think that’s missing the beauty of the game.

The love of the game. I hate to see it cluttered up at any level – major league or a friendly round of golf.

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
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

Most golfers have heard of Tommy Armour. I don’t mean his grandson – Tommy Armour III – I mean the great man himself, probably the greatest golf instructor of all time.

He was also a big time player. He won the US Open, the British Open, the Western Open … all of the Majors before the Masters.

However, I especially admire his sense of humor. You have to read “How to Play Your Best Golf All the Time”- one of the all time best selling golf instruction books.

And, if you enjoy his writing … you must get “A Round of Golf with Tommy Armour”.

Armour was the rare instructor who knew that golf is more than golf swing. You have to play the game. The golf course is not a driving range … it’s 18 unique holes that have to be navigated with strategy and skill.

We all know average skill-level players who consistently shoot good scores … and some highly-skilled players who seldom score well.

So, in “A Round of Golf with Tommy Armour” he takes you through 9 holes with a fellow named “Bill”.

Bill is an average player who has become so frustrated that he’s decided to quit golf – for good. So, our hero Tommy, convinces him to play one more round … but that Tommy gets to make all of the decisions.

Well, the story is as good as it gets. Thoughtful, insightful, informational, sensible, and likable.

It’s easy to forget that golf is a game. We can get so obsessed with making the perfect swing that we aren’t aware of the challenge that each hole provides. Should we lay-up? Should we play up the left side of the fairway? Is it smarter to try to cut the dog-leg?

Or just simple things like leaving the driver in the bag if you don’t trust it.

Tommy does talk about the golf swing … important thoughts about grip and stance … and why they matter … not just “here – do it”. His whole narrative makes sense. How to swing and how to play … and how to have the right attitude to play well and enjoy the game.

Isn’t that what we’re all looking for?

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
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub