I’m writing this from Florida. No, I’m not involved in the political primary going on down here … though I was in SC last week when the primary was happening there, too … sort of weird being constantly bombarded with political ads everywhere I go …

On a much nicer note, I’ve been in Orlando for the Merchandiser’s Convention and the PGA Show.

This has been the liveliest show since 9/11. Something good is going on and I think I know what it is – it’s youth.

People in their 20’s and 30’s are running golf companies and bringing an energy and excitement that has been much needed.

Unlike the worn-out political rhetoric that I’ve been listening to – these kids are bringing fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and confidence to the golf business.

I can’t wait to show you what we’ve bought for the Pro Shop … we’re plugging into this youthful resurgence … I can feel it’s going to be a great year.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Greetings from the Merchandisers of the Year Convention in Orlando. Today was a non-stop flurry of seminars and break-out groups. The theme of the convention is “innovation”. There are many ways to sell things. Lately, box stores and the internet have focused on efficiency and thus can sell things at cheap prices. I have no problem with that … it’s great to be able to buy basics such as soap at a bargain. But, that model doesn’t translate to everything – especially not golf. What makes the sale with important things in our life is the relationship – mostly trust. Too often sales training focuses on manipulation and tricks … it should focus on knowledge of the product and what is best for the customer – and the sales person needs to do that in their own way with their own style. That is true innovation.

I have to tell you – I played golf the other day. In fact, I’ve played twice this week.

On Monday, I played at The Sanctuary – isn’t that a great name for a golf course? I like to feel that Deer Run is a sanctuary – a place to get away from the craziness of the world – a relaxing, safe place.

Speaking of a safe place – on Tuesday I played at the Parris Island Marine Base golf course – that’s a true sanctuary.

Sanctuary can also mean a sacred place … for me, a golf course is a sacred place. It can also mean a place where you’re free from arrest by the law … we can’t offer you that at Deer Run.

I’d like to hear your thoughts about Deer Run GC as a sanctuary – how it is and how it can be … please send me your thoughts at tabts@deerrungolf.com

Cheers,

Tom Abts

I’m only recently appreciating balance. Not only in the golf swing – but in everything. I was always a pretty black and white guy – I looked at balance as wishy-washy. But … I’m starting to understand the reason for balance: winter/summer, cold/hot, hyper/mellow, left/right, etc.
Let’s relate balance to the golf swing. I see the left hand as the control hand – sort of the robot of the golf swing. The right hand is the feel hand – sort of the artist of the golf swing. The left hand needs to be in control to allow the right hand to do his job. When I was a young man, I had a totally right handed golf swing. I hit the ball far and hit a lot of really cool shots … I was also inconsistent and could shoot any number low or high. Then, as I got older, I began to focus on my left hand. My game became much more in control. But, I went too far focusing on the left hand. In fact, I took my right hand out of my swing. My swing began to lose power and I even began to lose feel. As my game got worse, I focused even more on my left hand … not pretty.

So, here’s what I’m now doing: I’m taking the club back with my left hand and hitting the shot with my right hand. I don’t mean totally left on the backswing and totally right on the downswing … but definitely more left than right on the back and more right than left in the hitting zone.

Bobby Jones once said that he felt he was “freewheeling” as hit went through the ball … that’s a great expression and definitely a right handed feel … Jones also consciously took the club back with his left hand.

I’m even trying to do this with the putter.

Blogging can be addictive … I’m pretty obsessive, so look out.

We have to talk about the golf swing. At the moment, I’m in Beaufort, SC – been here for a week. Probably played more golf this week than I did last summer. I play quite a bit with my neighbor – an ex-Marine who’s really gotten into golf. So this neighbor is always reading about the golf swing and asking me questions. He gets frustrated because much of what he reads contradicts itself – which it does … and here’s why: Golf instruction needs to be understood in the phases or evolution of the golfer’s swing. What might be great advice for an expert, can be terrible advice for a beginner. But, you say “aren’t fundamentals true for all players?” Yes! But, golf instructors don’t agree on what are fundamentals.

Let’s start at the beginning: most people are poor golfers because of one of two things (or both)

1.) They want to scoop the ball up into the air.

2.) They pick up the club and smash down into the ball. Ironically, they scoop iron shots and smash down with the driver off the tee – they would be much better off scooping tee shots and smashing down on iron shots. The expert player doesn’t have these problems – what he’s looking for is a more controlled swing. But, the suggested ways to tighten up the expert’s swing are usually the worst advice to the average player who needs to free up and develop his swing. Most people need to learn to make MORE of a weight shift and MORE of a turn. They also need to learn to keep their wrists firm on chip shots and learn to rotate their wrists on full shots. Average players also have to learn to swing inside-out.

Expert players already make a good weight shift and a good turn and rotate their wrists on full shots and swing inside-out … they are usually working on toning down those actions so that they are more in control. Thus, golf instruction has to be fitted as to where the golfer is at in terms of his evolution. And you can see why so often “tips” are not beneficial.

A recent survey by GOLF WORLD magazine listed the PGA Tour players’ top ten courses … I was pleasently surprised.

They picked the older, shorter, classic courses – the courses where you have to hit shots – not just bomb it and make some putts. Number one was Augusta National – maybe obvious, but still a great pick. Number two was Harbour Town – very surprising to me – I love Harbour Town, it’s short for a Tour course and has little greens, and you have to work the ball – you can’t just slug it. From there it’s: Riviera, Pebble Beach, Colonial, Muirfield Village, Shaughnessy, Aronimink, Innisbrook, and Congressional.

That’s great sign for the future of golf. Very often Tour players design courses because course owners want to use their famous names – so if these guys value the good courses, hopefully we’ll see more quality courses in the future.

This could be the The Year. The year when golf courses open in March and cruise through a beautiful Spring, then meander through a delightful Summer, and conclude with a glorious Fall.

We all deserve it.

So, in anticipation of the perfect year, we are making improvements to the golf course, and developing new and better ways to operate and provide service. In other words, our mission is the spoil you – the Deer Run customer.

For example, we’re getting more into social media. Starting this week on www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf, we’re having the first of weekly drawings for golf passes and other swell prizes – take a look.

Get ready – the fun has just begun.

Happy New Year,

Tom Abts