Everyone knows that Ireland is green – the Emerald Isle, etc. But how about Minnesota being green? In March? Are you kidding me? Flying in the other day, I looked out the window over St. Paul and couldn’t believe it – as green as Ireland. That’s crazy.

We’ll take it. Last year we were buried under snow in March. When we did open in April, it never warmed up. I remember thinking it was no big deal, because May will be really nice and the course will green up and everything will be wonderful. Wrong. May was cold and awful. June was nasty until the 25th. Then, July was a broiler – record heat. That weather was not good for golf courses.

Fortunately, the mild winter was good for golf courses and this early Spring has been perfect. Not only has Mother Nature cooperated, but during the off-season we did some big-time course improvements. And just yesterday we completed the grading and sodding so that it’s better than ever.

So, we are green in March. And with completed course improvements. This year is already making up for last year. This is definitely the year to play golf.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Hope you’re enjoying the weather. I’ve heard that the Deer Run golf course is in great shape. Heard? Yeah – I’m in Ireland.

Have I played golf in Ireland? No… But went to Lahinch yesterday (the St. Andrews of Ireland)… and just walked around. Spent an hour next to the first tee talking (listening) to one of their elderly members talk about life, philosophy, and medicine (he was a doctor). He was right out the book Golf In The Kingdom. I know that I’m a little out-there… maybe on a different planet, but this guy was in a different universe… probably the smartest, most interesting guy I’ve ever met. Wish that we could have hung-out in a Pub.

Speaking of Pubs… they’re just great. The people here love to talk, and the Guinness just fuels the fire. I’d always heard that the Guinness in Ireland is better than it is in the States… I don’t agree. I think that the Guinness in the Deer Run Pub is just as good, and I’ve been sampling Guinness all over Ireland (just to make sure).

I may be in Ireland, but you’ve got better weather in Minnesota – in March! Unbelievable… as they say over here “Thank your lucky stars”. Hope you’re teeing it up… and drinking a pint of Guinness.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Just got back from Las Vegas. No-no-no … not what you’re thinking … I was at the NGCOA Convention … I went to hear some guy talk about FastPlayFriday.

The convention was good… golf biz people are starting to get it. Here’s the deal in a nutshell: Golf has had a reputation as being snobby and stuffy – that hasn’t been good for the growth of the game. Sure, some private clubs back East were definitely bastions of blue-blood snobbery and not exactly a lot of laughs. But, the roots of the game go back to Scottish shepherds who hit a rock with a stick and played for the reward of winning a shot of whiskey from the other shepherd – not exactly snob-central.

Why can’t you have the best of both worlds? Have an attractive clubhouse, manicured golf course, attractive flowers, good food, cool pro shop, and… a fun, relaxed atmosphere that even the old Scottish shepherds would enjoy?

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Are you getting ready? You know what I mean… this is our turn for an early Spring. I remember 25 years ago we were teeing it up in mid-March.

We deserve it. Last year was the worst Winter-Spring combo that I ever remember… and Summer didn’t begin until July.

So, are your clubs ready? Regripped, etc. How about you? Don’t go crazy, but maybe a few sit-ups and push-ups would be good. And get those legs in shape – long walks can do wonders.

Hit a few a balls at some of those indoor ranges. And, do a lot of chipping. Chip in the house – improve your feel of the club and making contact – that’s the best thing you can do for your golf game.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

My brother Dan is coming down to visit in SC so we have to tee it up – a bunch.

Because of relationships I have with other pros, we’re scheduled to play some unbelievable golf courses over the next few days.

Do I say this to gloat? No, well maybe … but I’m trying to make a point about golf and relationships. Obviously, business golf is about developing relationships. But more importantly, friendships are made and deepened on the golf course. Family relationships – even romantic relationships flourish out there.

People complain that the world has gotten too hurried. I agree. They also complain that golf takes up too much time – I do not agree. Thank God that golf takes time … relationships take time … the good things in life take time.

Time spent playing golf – good. Time spent with people you love/like – good. Time spent with those people on the golf course – good as it gets.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

I’m writing this from Florida. No, I’m not involved in the political primary going on down here … though I was in SC last week when the primary was happening there, too … sort of weird being constantly bombarded with political ads everywhere I go …

On a much nicer note, I’ve been in Orlando for the Merchandiser’s Convention and the PGA Show.

This has been the liveliest show since 9/11. Something good is going on and I think I know what it is – it’s youth.

People in their 20’s and 30’s are running golf companies and bringing an energy and excitement that has been much needed.

Unlike the worn-out political rhetoric that I’ve been listening to – these kids are bringing fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and confidence to the golf business.

I can’t wait to show you what we’ve bought for the Pro Shop … we’re plugging into this youthful resurgence … I can feel it’s going to be a great year.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Greetings from the Merchandisers of the Year Convention in Orlando. Today was a non-stop flurry of seminars and break-out groups. The theme of the convention is “innovation”. There are many ways to sell things. Lately, box stores and the internet have focused on efficiency and thus can sell things at cheap prices. I have no problem with that … it’s great to be able to buy basics such as soap at a bargain. But, that model doesn’t translate to everything – especially not golf. What makes the sale with important things in our life is the relationship – mostly trust. Too often sales training focuses on manipulation and tricks … it should focus on knowledge of the product and what is best for the customer – and the sales person needs to do that in their own way with their own style. That is true innovation.

I have to tell you – I played golf the other day. In fact, I’ve played twice this week.

On Monday, I played at The Sanctuary – isn’t that a great name for a golf course? I like to feel that Deer Run is a sanctuary – a place to get away from the craziness of the world – a relaxing, safe place.

Speaking of a safe place – on Tuesday I played at the Parris Island Marine Base golf course – that’s a true sanctuary.

Sanctuary can also mean a sacred place … for me, a golf course is a sacred place. It can also mean a place where you’re free from arrest by the law … we can’t offer you that at Deer Run.

I’d like to hear your thoughts about Deer Run GC as a sanctuary – how it is and how it can be … please send me your thoughts at tabts@deerrungolf.com

Cheers,

Tom Abts

I’m only recently appreciating balance. Not only in the golf swing – but in everything. I was always a pretty black and white guy – I looked at balance as wishy-washy. But … I’m starting to understand the reason for balance: winter/summer, cold/hot, hyper/mellow, left/right, etc.
Let’s relate balance to the golf swing. I see the left hand as the control hand – sort of the robot of the golf swing. The right hand is the feel hand – sort of the artist of the golf swing. The left hand needs to be in control to allow the right hand to do his job. When I was a young man, I had a totally right handed golf swing. I hit the ball far and hit a lot of really cool shots … I was also inconsistent and could shoot any number low or high. Then, as I got older, I began to focus on my left hand. My game became much more in control. But, I went too far focusing on the left hand. In fact, I took my right hand out of my swing. My swing began to lose power and I even began to lose feel. As my game got worse, I focused even more on my left hand … not pretty.

So, here’s what I’m now doing: I’m taking the club back with my left hand and hitting the shot with my right hand. I don’t mean totally left on the backswing and totally right on the downswing … but definitely more left than right on the back and more right than left in the hitting zone.

Bobby Jones once said that he felt he was “freewheeling” as hit went through the ball … that’s a great expression and definitely a right handed feel … Jones also consciously took the club back with his left hand.

I’m even trying to do this with the putter.

Blogging can be addictive … I’m pretty obsessive, so look out.

We have to talk about the golf swing. At the moment, I’m in Beaufort, SC – been here for a week. Probably played more golf this week than I did last summer. I play quite a bit with my neighbor – an ex-Marine who’s really gotten into golf. So this neighbor is always reading about the golf swing and asking me questions. He gets frustrated because much of what he reads contradicts itself – which it does … and here’s why: Golf instruction needs to be understood in the phases or evolution of the golfer’s swing. What might be great advice for an expert, can be terrible advice for a beginner. But, you say “aren’t fundamentals true for all players?” Yes! But, golf instructors don’t agree on what are fundamentals.

Let’s start at the beginning: most people are poor golfers because of one of two things (or both)

1.) They want to scoop the ball up into the air.

2.) They pick up the club and smash down into the ball. Ironically, they scoop iron shots and smash down with the driver off the tee – they would be much better off scooping tee shots and smashing down on iron shots. The expert player doesn’t have these problems – what he’s looking for is a more controlled swing. But, the suggested ways to tighten up the expert’s swing are usually the worst advice to the average player who needs to free up and develop his swing. Most people need to learn to make MORE of a weight shift and MORE of a turn. They also need to learn to keep their wrists firm on chip shots and learn to rotate their wrists on full shots. Average players also have to learn to swing inside-out.

Expert players already make a good weight shift and a good turn and rotate their wrists on full shots and swing inside-out … they are usually working on toning down those actions so that they are more in control. Thus, golf instruction has to be fitted as to where the golfer is at in terms of his evolution. And you can see why so often “tips” are not beneficial.