Greetings Golfers,
I love strategy in sports. I may even like it more than the physical skill part of sports. In fact, I’m more frustrated watching stupid errors than watching physical mistakes.
That’s why winning is important. It’s about what actually works. It’s a test of reality. Though I love strategy, it has to be based in reality. Too often coaches fall in love with the X’s and O’s on the chalkboard. And too often their schemes are based on all players being of the same caliber. If that was so … why do sports have a draft?
Obviously every team has a variety of talent. No one has it all. So, successful strategies are based on maximizing talent and minimizing weaknesses. I know this sounds obvious … but most organizations are guilty of making things too complicated.
And individuals are also guilty of doing this. It can come from a lack of prioritizing … or just not doing the top priorities because they’re harder than the lower ones.
You know that term “nitpicking”? … how perfect is that word … you can just feel it. Nitpickers are the people who complain after their team won the Super Bowl because the team threw too often on first down.
We get that stuff at the golf course: people get picky about a dandelion or a misspelling or a missed phone call, etc. They get nasty and smug and act like if they find a low level problem, well then, the big things must be screwed-up. Actually, it’s the opposite. We focus on the big issues and hopefully have enough time for the little things.
Reminds me of that saying “You can have it all”. Really. How does that work. We have limited time in life … we have to prioritize. Remember the movie “Groundhog Day”? Bill Murray had endless time to develop a bunch of cool skills. Yeah, I wish. But, reality is that everything has a price. If the nitpickers want a flawless anything … imagine how much it would cost!
Here’s a better saying “Under-promise and over-deliver”. But, do you think people are going to vote for that politician? Or hire that CEO? Or that Head Coach?
It all comes back to strategy. Which has to be based in reality. The Vikings had a terrible offensive line. Yet, had talented receivers. So … straight-ahead smash-mouth football makes sense? Really?
Think about this in terms of your golf game. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Do you need 14 clubs? Get rid of the ones that are inconsistent.
It’s all about playing to your strengths … and minimizing your weaknesses.
How’s that for a New Year’s resolution?
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
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