Greetings Golfers,

I go to golf meetings and read golf magazines. Though I’m mostly just involved in running Deer Run GC, I do try to know what’s going on in the golf world.

But sometimes what I read and hear bothers me – I feel that too often the “leaders” become too removed from the trenches to really know what’s going on. So, I’m going to talk about what I see as a disconnection. But as Oscar Wilde said “If you want to tell people the truth, make ’em laugh. Otherwise they’ll kill you”.

I’m not sure I’m that funny – so this might be pretty risky.

The United States Golf Association has a new President – Diana Murphy – and Golf Digest recently interviewed her. Their first question was: “What do you hope to accomplish as USGA President?” Mrs. Murphy’s response was “Obviously championships are our heart and soul”.

She was referring to championships such as the US Open and the US Amateur.

I think those tournaments are very cool and good for golf. But … the “heart and soul” of the USGA?

Obviously, (I had to use it) the average golfer is not the heart and soul of the USGA. But, she does care about the average golfer … just listen to her response to this next question: “Golfer retention is still an issue – what can the USGA do to help?” She replied, “You don’t have to be a scratch golfer to come to a championship”.

How refreshing! You don’t have to be a scratch player to watch a golf tournament! … and that’s the secret to retaining golfers? Really?

What about retaining golfers with these options:
* design more player-friendly courses
* improve and simplify golf instruction
* simplify the handicap system
* simplify the golf rule book
* emphasize hospitality at golf clubs

That’s how I see it. I hope Oscar Wilde was wrong.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Why does Adam Scott fly under the radar? He’s got a perfect swing and is a great shot maker – has been for 15 years. Is it because he’s never really dominated? He seems like a really nice guy … and my wife thinks he’s great looking.

Maybe it was because he was using that long putter. But he’s won two tournaments this year without it. People go to the long putter when they get yippy with little putts. It’s usually not about medium length or long putts … but the tall putter seems to help people make those testy short putts.

Well I’ve got some thoughts on that subject – hang in there while I try to make my point. Everybody goes through a phase when they miss little putts. But sometimes it becomes a phobia and can really become a problem. The typical analysis is that the player is using too much right hand and is too “flippy”. So, the recommended fix is to putt cross-handed or as they say “left hand low”. The reasoning is that it’s a good way to take the right hand out of the stroke.

But what if that doesn’t work? Well the next step was the tall putter. That style meant anchoring the top of the putter on your chest and stroking the putt with your right hand.

Yeah … I said “stroking the putt with your right hand”. And, with a somewhat “flippy” stroke.

I think the yips are a result of NOT using your right hand in a natural flippy stroke. How often have you left yourself a short putt and just tapped it in with your right hand only? I bet you never miss.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, I believe that you should hit up on the ball with the putter – and with a wristy action especially of your right hand. You then use more of a swinging arm stroke as the putt becomes longer.

The problem with all of this started because too many people tried to scoop the ball on their full shots. That wristy scooping action leads to hitting behind the ball or hitting the top of the ball. Trying to get the clubhead under the ball is the opposite of the proper impact with an iron shot.

But the goal of putting is not the same impact position as that of hitting an iron. Putting is about rolling the ball. You roll the ball with a flat-faced club on a smooth surface. The best and easiest way is to use your right hand and wrist to hit the ball on the way up and impart topspin to your putt.

There is no need for the long putter. Just use your right hand on a normal size putter and your yips and fear of short putts will be gone.

Adam Scott might become the superstar he seemed destined to be … if he starts putting more with his right hand!

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Four years ago we opened the golf course on March 16. That seemed crazy … our average opening date is April 6. But, the record is about to be broken – we’re going to open onMonday, March 14.

I’m tempted to rant about what is new for this season at Deer Run GC … but I’m not going to do it now (wait a few weeks!).

We’ll be good – Barry says the turf is perfect – but we’re not in mid-season form. So, we’ll have Senior Rates for everyone-all day-every day during March and April. This is our preseason – just like the Twins in Ft. Meyers. May 1 is our Big League Season opening day.

That’s my story – what’s yours? Are you ready to play? Have you practiced over the winter? Do you have new clubs? Have you got a new swing theory?

Swing theory. The secret is in the word swing. When I play poorly I don’t swing – I try to hit the ball with a golf club. Though I know that, I still need ideas to help me swing and not hit. Here’s a thought that helped me this winter: “Take the club back low and slow”. That helps me find some rhythm right away in the backswing.

The other day I saw a golf swing video by Rick Smith. I loved it. Smith had a drill to get golfers to swing low to high with a lot of hand rotation. It’s a great drill to overcome the tendency to come over-the-top and smash down on the golf ball.

A few years ago I was at a seminar by a semi-famous golf instructor who mostly works with PGA Tour players. He talked about how the new swing technique on Tour was to finish the swing “low and left”. Of course I had to disagree. Finishing “low and left” for most players is a disaster – they need to finish “high and right” like in the Rick Smith drill. Maybe that move works for Tour players (maybe), but that’s not what the other MN Golf Pros at the seminar should be instructing their students.

As I said, this is the pre-season. Let’s get out and play golf and try to swing. Hopefully some of these ideas and drills will help – but remember … it’s a golf “swing”.

Cheers,

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