Greetings Golfers,

Tiger Woods is still in the news. This time as an example for Rory McIlroy … and Brandel Chamblee says he’s a BAD example! Not Woods’ personal life – but his work-out life. Brandel expressed concern that Rory was getting too big from lifting weights and that it would mess him up like it messed up Tiger.

Of course Rory appreciated Chamblee’s public comments. Not so much! Rory came back on Twitter saying that he lifts weights but is not trying to be a body-builder.

I’m old school on this one. I think Tiger got way too big and it changed his golf swing (not for the better). And, I think it is directly linked to the back problems he’s having now.

As far as wanting more distance … look at Sam Snead. Or look at Bubba Watson. Who hits it farther than Bubba? Is he some weight lifting beast? Sam Snead was as long as anyone and played well until he was an old man. And he played every day!

Golfers need strong legs … but walking will strengthen your legs all you need. And we need strong hands and forearms – squeeze a tennis ball or some such thing. But what we really need is flexibility. That’s what I’ve lost as I’ve gotten older and it’s the main reason for the distance I’ve lost over the years.

In the 1996 Masters, skinny Tiger Woods averaged 342 yards off the tee. In the 2002 Masters, bulked up Tiger averaged 293 yards off the tee.

Sam Snead was unbelievably flexible – the secret to his beautiful and long lasting golf swing. Snead should be Rory’s model – not Tiger.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

A few weeks ago, GOLF DIGEST magazine had an article about celebrities’ USGA handicaps. These celebrities are a combination of actors, athletes, and musicians. I thought it was an interesting article – a person’s golf handicap can add some insight into who they are.

But what really hit me, was how much lower the handicaps were than their normal scores. I’m not saying that these people have phony handicaps to look good … I’m saying that the way the system works is that it’s rare to play to your handicap – or even to play NEAR your handicap.

Here are some examples from the article. Each of these celebrities had 20 scores on their card and their corresponding USGA handicap. I’m going to go from best to worst. John Smoltz leads us off with a plus 1.7 handicap – that means he ADDS shots to his score!

John Smoltz          +1.7    12 scores over 78 out of 20 scores
Steph Curry            0.2     9 scores over 77 out of 20 scores
Michael Jordan     1.9     10 scores over 80 out of 20 scores
Jake Owen             2.8     11 scores over 79 out of 20 scores
Kenny G                  3.5     12 scores over 80 out of 20 scores
Steve Kerr               4.5     10 scores over 84 out of 20 scores
Samuel Jackson     6.9     10 scores over 84 out of 20 scores
Wayne Gretzky       8.5     13 scores over 86 out of 20 scores
Tom Brady               9.2    11 scores over 87 out of 20 scores
Mark Wahlberg     13.0    15 scores over 90 out of 20 scores
Dennis Haysbert   13.4    14 scores over 90 out of 20 scores
Ray Romano          16.2    13 scores over 97 out of 20 scores

I found this shocking. You hear that someone is a plus handicap and you expect them to break par, not to probably shoot over 78 like John Smoltz. Or that a 3.5 handicap player like Kenny G is probably not going to break 80? How about a 4.5 like Steve Kerr probably going to shoot over 84? Or a single digit (8.5) player like Wayne Gretzky normally shooting in the high 80s? And then a 16.2 like Ray Romano not likely to break 100?

What’s going on? Do you want these guys as your partner in a match?

Why can’t the USGA handicap system just average the scores?

I realize that the USGA is doing everything to make handicaps fair and equitable – but am I the only one who thinks these handicaps are misleading? And it seems to me that misleading handicaps lead to manipulation.

How would like your USGA Handicap card with your last 20 scores and handicap printed in a national magazine?

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Here’s one of my classic conflicts … I love these two opposite sayings:

1.) “If it’s not broken – don’t fix it.”

2.) “The most damaging phrase in history is: It’s always been done that way.”

See what I mean? I like to be practical – but I don’t want to be stuck. And, I like to be innovative – but I don’t like change just for the sake of change.

What I like about each saying is the freedom to do something, and the freedom not to do something.

Let’s take that to the golf swing.  If I’m your instructor, and your golf swing works … I’ll leave it alone. You might want it to look like Rory McElroy’s swing, but I’ll tell you to keep your swing and work on your short game. That’s my “If it’s not broken don’t fix it.”

But, if you come to me with a “normal swing” and it doesn’t work … then, let’s start trying stuff – and I mean maybe crazy stuff. We have a guy at DRGC who chips with his right hand only – and he can really chip the ball. The conventional way didn’t work for him – so we found something that works. Obviously that’s an example of the second saying.

So, I guess they aren’t really in conflict. There is room for both. Combined, they’re probably what we know as common sense – when to change and when not to change.

That should be my new saying: “Common sense is knowing when to change and when not to change.”

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Are you set for sports viewing this weekend? I don’t mean the Super Bowl – I mean the Phoenix Open.

They’re both crazy events – but the golf event might be the crazier one.

The Phoenix Open is played at the TPC in Scottsdale, and the par 3 16th hole is what put the tournament on the map.
Last year’s winner – Brooks Koepke – said “ It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Guys have explained it to me and it’s nothing like what they say. The fans make it unbelievable.”

The rumor has it that some guys from Minnesota started the shenanigans on #16. Here’s from a 2009 article in CIGAR AFICIONADO – “A group of former Arizona State students from Minnesota return every year to lead the chorus of cheers and catcalls from the stands closest to the players on the left side of the tee.”

Don’t blame me – I’m not one of them. I used to go to the Phoenix Open while I was at ASU in the ‘70s. It was held at the Phoenix Country Club and got about 10,000 fans per day. Last year’s opening day got over 118,000 fans and the total for the tournament was 563,000 fans.

Is this a golf tournament or a party? Both – but mostly a party. Is that bad? Let’s compare it to the Super Bowl – is that football or a party? Both – but mostly a party.

I’ll admit that I’m kind of a sports purist. I love the games – the athletic skill, but especially the strategy involved … chess on a playing field. But there’s no market for that – not really. Is that a shame?… no – it’s just a game. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that.

Cheers,

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