Greetings Golfers,

As you’re reading this, I’m probably driving through the state of Georgia. I love driving – that’s not a problem – but I threw my back out – that is a problem.

The other day, I was trying some new moves with my golf swing. You’re right (I can read your mind) … I was being stupid. Obviously I’m not young … and shouldn’t try to swing like a youngster.

Speaking of youngsters … how likable is Viktor Hovland? … the kid from Norway who won last weekend. Sure, he’s smiley … but it’s not fake … he has an attitude that just gets a kick out of life.

Golf is a game. Though Tour players are making money at golf … it’s still just a game.

The other day, Brooks Koepka opened up in an interview. He’s more interesting than I realized. Koepka talked about how much he loved golf, but not the “stuffiness” (his word). He just wants to play golf at country clubs and yet not follow their codes.

I get it. However, it’s their club. They can insist on those things. It’s not how I would run it … but if I’m a guest, I respect their rules and codes.

The problem is that golf has become tied to that scene. It doesn’t have to be like that.

However, I’m not advocating anarchy. I’m not a fan of foot-golf and all of the other goofy variations that arrived as golf was trying to “grow the game”. The changes don’t have to be extreme. In fact, golf just needs more variety of atmospheres … especially in the middle between super stuffy and goofy.

How about casual AND respectful? Is that so difficult to achieve? How about basic standards of dress and behavior, mixed with a friendly atmosphere?

I think that’s what Koepka meant. And this Viktor Hovland seems to embody it.

Well, those are young guys – both in their 20s. I like their attitude and ideas. And I like their golf swings. But … I shouldn’t try to swing like them. The game of golf can be played many ways … it doesn’t have to be painful or stuffy.

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,

Last Sunday, standing on the 10th tee at Riviera CC, Harold Varner III was tied for the lead of the Genesis Open. Usually, televised golf tournaments cover the leaders – especially their important shots. Well, Harold cold-topped his drive off of #10 and proceeded to make double bogey. Unfortunately (shockingly?), CBS did not show Mr. Varner’s brutal tee-shot. I don’t mean that they didn’t show it live-action … they just didn’t show it … though they did refer to it.

While at home, we were bouncing back-and-forth from the tournament on CBS to the Senior tournament on the Golf Channel. And, like most other Sunday tv golf viewers … we were dozing off throughout the afternoon.

However, I definitely would have wanted to see a leader of a PGA Tournament cold-top a tee-shot. I like Harold Varner … that’s not the point … but most of us enjoy seeing the best in the world almost whiff … especially if they’re in the lead and really trying. It’s not like watching a guy about to miss the cut and just chop-it-around on his last hole … this was serious playing.

That gave me an excuse to write about golf tv coverage. I was thinking about doing it anyway … because it needs to be talked about. I’m sure that it’s tricky covering the action … players are all over the course … and things can change quickly. That’s not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about how uninteresting it is – not the golf – but the commentators. That’s why everyone’s sleeping. But, it doesn’t have to be like that.

The other night, my wife and I were laughing about quips from a former golf pro – he’s one of the funniest people we’ve ever known. Then, she brought up another retired golf pro who should have been a stand-up comic. Both of these guys have that really dry sense of humor … with great timing. That got me thinking … probably the funniest people I know are or were golf pros. I’m talking club pros – not tour pros. I’m not saying that every golf pro is funny … but I think that the majority are … and that golf lends itself to humor. The old guys that I play with down here in SC are hilarious. I don’t mean that they’re hardy-har-har guys … they’re just funny.

They say that stand-up comedy is the hardest thing to do on the planet … you’re up there totally naked. Same with golf … you’re standing there over that shot all alone … you better be able to deal with it … because you are going to hit bad shots … just like Harold Varner.

So, why do networks hire dull guys to be the broadcasters … or are they muzzled? Either way … it’s not good. I don’t want a comedy show … I just want the same kind of commentary that I’m used to on the golf course … or afterward in the pub.

If they want to change the format … I know a bunch of guys they should hire.

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 morning, Tim Herron will be teeing-it-up on the Champions Tour – the Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida. Tim turned 50 last week, so he’s now a senior player.

This can’t be true. I still think of him as a little boy who used to play in the evenings with my parents … he was probably already a better player then than they were.

Yes, Tim was a “natural”. He comes from a long line of excellent players. But, he worked at it harder than he gets credit for … maybe not Tiger Woods hard … but definitely devoted.

And that’s a good thing. Tim didn’t sell his soul to be the best player in the world. He still lives in Minnesota and is a devoted family man. Life is about choices … we can’t “have it all” despite what the culture says. Our time is limited – we have to choose.

Tim has chosen to market his unique personality. His tweets and LumpCo ads are hilarious. This is a guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously – take a look at this video announcing his transition to the Champions Tour: CLICK HERE.

How good is that? Ya think golf needs Tim Herron? The nature of golf is individualistic. You’re not performing for judges with rating numbers – like at a diving competition. The only numbers that matter are on the scorecard. So, you don’t have to be young and buff and humorless … you can be the opposite and shoot low numbers … if you can play golf.

Tim can definitely play golf. He won 4 times on the PGA Tour, was on the winning 1993 Walker Cup team, finished 6th in the 1999 US Open, and is in the top 100 of the PGA Tour’s Career Money Winners. 

And, he’s about to add to that number. His game is ready for these “old” guys. He can still hit it far and has always been a great iron player with soft hands around the green. As always, it comes down to putting. He’s always been a good putter. However, he claims that he went through a bad putting spell in high school when he listened to the advice of a guy who told him to practice putting one-handed with each hand. I disagree – it was marvelous advice and probably the real reason he became such a good player. In fact, that guy should take all of the credit (he also writes perfect blogs).

On a more serious note … Tim is a great guy and we’re all very proud of him. Some of our staff – Lori & Ketti – are in Naples to cheer him on. That Chubb trophy would look good in our clubhouse. Here’s a quick video of Tim practicing at Deer Run GC … it’s pretty inspiring … probably the reason he’ll win. CLICK HERE.

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,

During a round last week, I putted poorly on the front nine. So, I decided to finish the round by putting with whatever club I used hitting into the green. So I mostly putted using my hybrid, 7 iron, and wedge. After the round, I told my brother that I putt worse with my putter than any club in my bag. He was kind and just nodded.

A few days later, I read a fascinating article about Brad Faxon helping Rory McIlroy with his putting. Faxon told Rory to meet him with his putter, sand wedge, and 5-wood at the putting green. Then, Rory had to putt three times with each club to a hole about 8 feet away. Rory made only one with his putter, made two with his wedge, and all three with his 5-wood.

Reading this was spooky … very similar to what I just experienced. And what Faxon said to Rory really resonated … “It needs to be instinctive.”

I’d gotten so mechanical that I could hardly putt. I was pretty good with long putts … just took a quick look and just knocked it up there. But with makable putts, I’d get crazy and over-think what to do. Nothing was natural or instinctive. And it showed … my putting was not good.

We’ve all seen basketball players make shots off-balance with a defender in their face … and then miss an easy free-throw at the line. Golf is like a constant free-throw. You have to initiate the shot. You’re not moving around and reacting. Putting is especially like a free-throw … especially the short putts you expect to make. That’s when it’s easy to get too mechanical and stiff.

Arnold Palmer would bring out a trunk-full of putters before he played to see which one “worked”. Lee Trevino said that a new putter worked because it made his hands more sensitive … that he wasn’t used to it. However, Ben Crenshaw used the same putter forever.

A confident putter is a good putter. But, it takes courage to do something when you’re not confident. Don’t get down on yourself when you lose your confidence … rather, admire yourself for having the courage to do it without confidence. The dishonorable thing is to quit.

I just put a new grip on my putter – not a putter grip – instead I put on a normal club grip. And I’m going to grip it with my full-swing grip – not the typical reverse-overlap putting grip. Will it work? Probably for awhile. Then I’ll start to get in my head again and have to find something new.

This was meant to help. If you don’t have putting “issues” … laugh this off. If you do too … send me what works for you!

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