Greetings Golfers,

Have you seen that email that’s been going around about the sign in the urinal?

If not – here it is:

Obviously the reason it’s funny, is because of how often people are “helping” each other on the golf course. I don’t know about you, but I don’t appreciate unsolicited advice.

Remember that Dale Carnegie book “ How to Win Friends and Influence People?” Well, if you want to do exactly the opposite – just give people unsolicited advice. The name of that book would be “ Bossiness – the Key to Being Disliked”.

Golf seems to bring out the “advice” in a lot of people. I think one of the main reasons is because they themselves are so frustrated and confused. That sense of being out of control causes some people to become controlling – of others. Thus the constant unsolicited advice. Rejection of this “help” is met with: “I’m only trying to help” or “Why are you so sensitive?”

This rude behavior is also considered “just being honest” or “telling it like it is”.

I find this behavior fascinating. The narcissism of these controllers is justified by their desire to “help” other people.

Golf can be frustrating. Life can be frustrating. But unsolicited advice doesn’t make things better.

I hope those control freaks don’t take their agendas into the urinals.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

It’s already time for the State Fair. How did that happen? Seems like Summer just started.

But Fall is near … Labor Day is only a week away. And Fall means that football is back. I’m excited about Zimmer – the Vikings new Head Coach … I really haven’t liked a Viking’s Head Coach since Bud Grant (well – maybe Burnsie).

As much as I care about wins and losses … I care more about the personality of the team and their style of play. I think that Zimmer can finally bring those qualities back to the Vikings.

What about Fall Golf? As far as the Tour goes, that means no more Majors, but the Fed Ex Cup and the Ryder Cup should keep it interesting.

What about Fall Golf at Deer Run GC? Well, we don’t punch the greens until October … so September golf should be perfect – nice temperatures, no bugs, great course conditions. Also, a lot of our tee times open up with fewer events, and the ending of league play. If you have to spend the weekend watching football, come on out and tee-it-up during the week … don’t waste this Fall.

We deserve a beautiful Fall. We didn’t have Spring, and June was a flood. I’m not complaining – just stating the truth. And I’m not complaining about the recent articles about the demise of golf. Sure, golf over-built and some courses are struggling. A few years ago the housing market over-built … but people still need houses. Well, people still want to play golf. And Fall is the perfect time to play golf – hope to see you a lot in September and October.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

On the way to work the other day, I heard that old 38 Special song “Hold on Loosely” … and of course related it to the golf swing.

How about these lyrics: “Just hold on loosely, But don’t let go, If you cling too tightly, You’re going to lose control”.

How true is that? And how hard to do under pressure?

Usually when I see people start playing poorly during a round, it’s because they start squeezing the golf club. Then the worse they play, the tighter they squeeze. Then, they start making swing changes. Usually unnecessary swing changes.

It’s sort of a chicken-or-egg situation … the squeezed grip causes technical problems. But a relaxed grip will very often solve those problems (if they haven’t become too ingrained).

Remember … it’s a golf swing … and it’s pretty hard to make a swing with a super tight grip.

Baseball bats have a knob at the grip end so that the bat won’t fly out of your hands. The baseball bat should also be held loosely. Remember Tony Oliva? His bat was always flying into the crowd … and he was one of the best hitters of all time (and very underrated).

Do I want to rant about how the song lyrics relate to relationships and to leadership? Of course. Do you want to read about that this morning?

Well, I’m going to take the advice of the song and “Hold on Loosely” to this blog. I think you get it.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

I can’t believe that it’s already the PGA Championship. How did that happen? In some ways I feel like the golf season just started.

Maybe it’s because we opened the course at the end of April, and then May and and June were cold and wet.

But July was beautiful. And August is starting out gorgeous too. Let’s hope for a glorious Fall – we deserve it.

The PGA has never had the cache of the other 3 Majors. I’m not saying it’s a dud … but it definitely doesn’t have the magic and aura of the Masters, US Open, and British Open. Can it? I think so … but it needs a different flavor – it needs to draw on its history. If I were in charge, I’d make Walter Hagen the face of the PGA Championship. I don’t understand why Hagen is so underutilized by the PGA. He single-handedly made the PGA of America respectable … and he won 5 PGA Championships. Hagen is also third in Major victories – behind Nicklaus and Woods – no one ever mentions that.

To get fan interest, the PGA is asking fans to vote for where to put the pin on the 72nd hole. Did the PGA every hear about the Law of Attraction? That’s how you get people interested – not some survey.

Well, I’ll still watch. Rory is playing out of his mind. So is Sergio. Your buddy Dustin Johnson won’t be there … and who knows about Tiger. A little drama always helps. But an exciting tournament with a magical vibe and a vaunted history is what is really needed.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Yesterday I watched some of the PGA Tournament at Firestone on tv. I only planned on watching a few minutes. But, I watched almost the whole thing – because watching Tiger Woods is fascinating.

I’ve never been a big Woods fan. He’s just never seemed very likable. I wasn’t one of the haters – I just wasn’t a fan. Maybe because rooting for Woods seemed like rooting for the Yankees – I can’t do it. I’ve always rooted for the underdog (it’s in my bones as a life-long MN sports fan).

But, Tiger Woods makes a golf tournament interesting. He’s trying to make a comeback, and was paired yesterday with Martin Kaymer. Kaymer will probably be Player of the Year, and his US Open victory was one of total domination. So on the first hole, Kaymer beats it around but makes a long putt to save par. Woods hits it perfectly and looks like he’ll make birdie. Woods three putts and walks off with bogie. So on the next hole, Woods snap hooks his drive into the next fairway. I thought he was done right there … looked like he was going to break his driver as he was walking to his ball. But, in typical Tiger fashion, he made birdie. Unbelievable.

The whole round was like that. Somehow Woods shot 2 under. Kaymer also played bad, but he shot 7 over. So what is it about Woods? He’s determined … but so is Kaymer. He’s talented … but so is Kaymer. Woods is different – he plays every shot like it’s the most important shot of his life. Who can do that? Woods seems to will the ball into the hole. Remember when he made that putt to tie Rocco for the US Open? Or when he chipped in on 16 at the Masters? I could go on and on. Who is this guy?

That’s why I watched the whole round.

Cheers,

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