Greetings Golfers,

Fall was definitely in the air this morning. How we went from blistering heat to a semi-crisp Fall morning is classic Minnesota.

I love August. You never hear that … people talk about how they love Spring, or love Fall … I know I’m comparing months to seasons, but you never hear that they love August, even if they say they love Summer. Maybe it’s because August is the end of Summer. This week’s PGA Championship is the last Major of the year – Summer is winding down.

Speaking of the PGA Championship … have you ever played the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island? It’s crazy difficult. That so many guys shot under par yesterday is testament to how good Tour players are. When I played there a couple of years ago, my caddy told me that the average score for the people he looped for was 125. That’s not a misprint… he said 125 … and that was the average score – not the high score.

Sure, yesterday they had great weather – usually the wind really blows on Kiawah. But, even with great weather, I can’t believe that so many guys shot such low scores. Let’s hope that the wind picks up and we can see what they can do when it gets nasty out there. We missed out on challenging weather during the British Open – we deserve to see these boys cope with the challenges that Kiawah was designed for.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

On Wednesday I played in the 3M ProAm at the TPC in Blaine. No, I’m not playing in the Tournament – I ain’t that good. Two MN PGA Club Pros are that good and are playing – Donnie Berry and Dave Tentis – but most of us aren’t. We’re more like good amateurs than Tour Players – big difference.

So, our Tour Player was a guy named Joel Edwards – you probably haven’t heard of him (I hadn’t), but you should’ve. Not only is he the nicest guy in the world, but a ridiculously good golfer. So why is he unknown? Well, he’s not the best putter. No matter how well you can strike the ball, you have to putt well to score well.

Joel is from Texas and has an old-school golf swing. He just winds up and hits it with his hands. Very, very cool. His basic shot is a low bullet that doesn’t turn left or right – just really straight and really solid. One of the guys in our group was struggling and said to Joel that he couldn’t finish his swing. Joel told him to swing his arms past his body and release his hands. Woah! I completely agree, but that’s very old-school – you don’t hear that kind of talk anymore.

So if that concept interests you … here’s a pretty good drill. Just go to the range and hit balls with your feet together. Seriously. Take the narrowest stance you can, and when you hit the ball, make sure that your top hand turns over the golf club so that you hit a hook. Most people slice because they don’t have enough hand action. When they do hook it, they hook it with their shoulders – not their hands.

For a real demonstration, go out to the 3M Tournament this weekend and watch the big boys… and take a look at Joel Edwards.  And, watch Brad Faxon putt. If you could combine the two …

Cheers,

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

You’ve probably heard about the PGA/USGA initiative TEE IT FORWARD. Normally I’m not a big fan of this kind of stuff – usually it’s some gimmick to get people to play golf… gimmicks usually aren’t a great way to get people to do anything.

But, this TEE IT FORWARD is pretty smart. And I mean smart in the sense of Common Sense. Is it really fun to play golf when the course is too long for you? Isn’t it common sense to play at the right length?

A few years ago while at the PGA Show in Orlando, some of us played hooky from the Show and played golf. We’re not Tour players – but we’re still Golf Pros – so we’re decent players, and we played from the white tees. The guys in front of us and behind us played from the black tees… and they were terrible… but, they were going to “play all of the golf course”.

How smart is that? Should they also hit the ball into every hazard to “play all of the golf course”?  I thought the goal of golf was to have fewer strokes, not more strokes. But I guess if you’re shooting 125, you’re too good to play off the white tees.

Obviously if you can’t chip or putt, you’re going shoot a million even if you play a shorter length… but, why not at least give yourself a chance?

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

You know that saying “Hot enough for ya”? … I like to act as if it’s a serious question … sort of take my time and then respond with “Yes, it is hot enough for me – thanks for asking” …

Yeah … I’m losing it. I’ll blame it on the heat.

I’m pretty good at blaming. Golf is great for us blamers. I’m always getting screwed by bad bounces, loud noises, wind, slow play, sweaty hands, unfair greens … the list goes on and on …

But, I can take slow play off that list for one day. We’re resurrecting FastPlayFriday for July 27. Not FunPlayFriday … I mean the original … the real deal … FastPlayFriday.

As you recall, the Front Nine must be played in under 1:55 or you will be removed from the golf course. We will be awash in Rangers and Starters. The heat will be no excuse for dilly-dallying around … in fact, the heat should be a major incentive for fast play.

Hope to see you soon. Can’t wait to ask if it’s: “Hot enough for ya?”

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Greetings Golfers,

Spent the weekend in Austin, TX. Wasn’t hot enough in MN, so needed to get some Texas heat. Though it was ridiculously hot, Austin is very cool. Great food, great music, just generally a good vibe – almost bought a “Keep Austin Weird” hat.

Did buy a hat – a Barton Creek golf hat. Played their semi-famous Fazio Canyon course. It was fun, it’s a good resort and a very good golf course … but, I’m getting jaded in my old age … it was just too typical. Let me make a leap: While watching the Irish Open on television last week, the announcer commented that he liked the swing of one of the young players “It’s old-fashioned … not one of those modern, assembly line swings”.

What I’m trying to say is that too many golf resorts remind me of these modern, assembly line golf swings – they’re good, but they don’t have enough personality. In fact, I think these resorts try to make sure that they don’t have a personality – they may be well run, but they feel like an efficient factory. I want personality … a good personality … maybe these resorts are afraid that they might have a bad personality, so they go for no personality.

Well, Austin still has a great personality. I used to go there a lot in the ’70’s and loved it … always kept it on my list of livable cities. Even though it’s changed from a town to a city, it’s kept its unique vibe. Thank God.

I’ll admit that I’ve been whining about the rain. It has been ridiculous – but not tragic. We’re not Duluth.

Fortunately, we have wall-to-wall cart paths and new and improved drainage – else it would be tragic. The up side is that our golf course is ridiculously lush – even shockingly beautiful.

While hosting an event today, I looked over at a group of guys talking, and noticed that everyone of them were wearing saddle golf shoes. Years ago ago, I was playing in some tournament where I swear that every player had Footjoy saddle shoes, Powerbuilt woods, Wilson blade irons, and a Ping putter – seriously.

It’s a different world. Long putters, hybrids, huge metal drivers, non-spike golf shoes that look like tennis shoes … I like it.

We have some neighbors who have installed sound systems in their golf carts. What do you think about that?

I’d like your thoughts – please send an email to me at tabts@deerrungolf.com.

I was a lucky guy growing up in Minnesota. My neighborhood was full of kids and we played baseball, football, and hockey all the time. It was way more fun than organized sports – we played for the shear love of playing a game.

We’ve always wanted to bring that basic fun of playing a game to Deer Run GC. That’s why I still play golf – I don’t play as well anymore, but I just love to play golf. I wish the powers that be would simplify the rules of golf and the whole etiquette thing would lighten up. It’s not brain surgery – I don’t buy into the whole silence and non-movement deal … just get up and hit it.

Now if people want to play heavy-duty golf, that’s another thing – go play in the State Am and State Open, etc. But your round of golf with your friends should be a lot more casual – even if some money’s riding on it.

If you’re looking for casual (maybe even crazy) we have another FunPlayFriday scheduled for May 4.The theme might sound really formal, but it’s not – it’s Mexican. Seriously. How perfect is that for FPF?

We’ll be having serving stations at assorted tee boxes around the course that will be giving away shots of tequila, Mexican beer, margaritas, gelato, etc. Also, we’ll be serving a day long lunch of tacos, nachos, etc. And it also includes golf lessons and massages at the range. All of this for only $69, and of course includes golf, cart, and driving range. Whoa – I almost forgot – and live music beginning at 5:00pm.

This is even better than when I played neighborhood sports as a kid.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Let’s clear the air – we are not moving. Don’t worry, we will not become the Deer Run Golf Club of Los Angeles. I know, if we were in LA we could be open every day all year long … but we are loyal to our Minnesota roots.

April flew by – can’t believe next week is May. For us, May is the start of the real season. April is the preseason – just trying to work out the kinks. We had a great preseason – the course is already in midseason form. The Pro Shop is ready with new, cool stuff and the Pub will be freshly stocked with classic food and drink.

That’s a major reason why we won’t move to LA – we’re classic. Think about it: we’re the old farmhouse, the Irish Pub, the classic old-school course lay out, we play classic rock, etc. Classic and fun – a pretty good combination.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

You know that I have to at least mention Bubba Watson and the Masters. Every year I always end up saying “That was the greatest Masters ever” … it’s always incredible – what a testament to the layout and the tournament. I love Bubba Watson – the whole deal – the crazy swing, the pink shaft, the emotional personality … how good is he for golf? For sports? For life?

That’s enough – the media’s already covered it. Let’s talk about your golf game. You need to develop both sides of your brain to improve your golf game and enjoy it more. The driving range is your science lab – that’s where you search for the truth. The golf course is your canvas – that’s where you’re an artist. Don’t confuse the two. Working on your swing while you play, will take the joy out of the game. Look at Tiger Woods – he’s always working on his swing while on the course – is he having fun? is that working for him? But, you do need to practice. An artist who can’t paint or play an instrument cannot perform what they feel – they need to do the work. But, the scientist who can’t express what he’s learned isn’t finishing the job either. This is your year to develop your golf game and both sides of your brain and personality.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

This is Masters Week. Even I got in one of those corn-ball pools where you pick your top seven players. Seven wasn’t enough – there’s at least a solid twenty guys with a legitimate shot at winning.

I love all of the Majors, but the Masters is my favorite. The course is difficult, but they can still light it up. The holes are very much risk/reward and can give up a bunch of birdies and a bunch of doubles. Things can change very quickly. Obviously, the winner has to hit the ball well to put himself in the right spots … but, he also has to putt VERY well. So, I hope you picked good putters if you’re participating in one of those Masters pools.

The main reason that I love the Masters so much is because of the vibe. Television does a pretty good job, but it doesn’t really capture it. Television gives it an air of pretension that I’ve never felt when I’ve been there. What blew my mind even more than the beauty when I’ve been there, is the relaxed, friendly, casual atmosphere. It felt like just a bunch of us decided to put together a tournament of friends – not a heavy duty major golf tournament.

For example, on number one tee box, the starter is an old Southern guy sitting at a table with a big rock holding down the pairing sheets. Then, when he announces the players, he just slowly stands up and says “ Tiger Woods – driving”… then he sits down. Unbelievable. Everything is like that. The ropes are right next to the players and they talk to the gallery. Because there’s usually a wait on the the par five tee boxes, it can turn into a party with the players telling stories and asking the spectators questions. You don’t see that on tv. I hope it doesn’t change – it’s very cool.

Speaking of very cool: This Saturday at 8:00am on WCCO/CBS right before the Masters coverage, there will be a show featuring the “Best Public Golf Course in Minnesota” as voted by the WCCO viewers. You’ll probably recognize it – it’s in the town of Victoria and they even interview some of the staff and customers (some real characters).

Cheers,

Tom Abts