Maybe a little reverse psychology should be used to grow the game
1 Oct 2012

Maybe a little reverse psychology should be used to grow the game

Every year a golf organization comes up with some type of initiative whose intent is to grow the game of golf. This year it is Golf 2.0. Last year was Play it Forward. We have also had Play Golf America, Link up to Golf, Get Golf Ready, and a myriad of other catch-phrase programs. Yet, the number of people playing golf has declined over the past five years. Maybe this type of approach is wrong. There is an old saying regarding golf that goes “less is more.”  Maybe that approach should be applied to marketing the game. Instead of trying to make it easier for people to take up golf, perhaps a forbidden-fruit philosophy or grass-is-greener on the other side mentality is the way to go.

I just read a terrific article by good friend Bill Fields in Golfweek Magazine about how he rediscovered his love for playing golf this year. In it, he wrote some very pertinent words to the point: “Golf requires effort. Effort requires commitment.” In none of the initiatives trying to drive people into the game is there any mention of effort and commitment. In many European countries, people have to demonstrate a certain skill level before they are allowed to play an actual round of golf. Those that I have met appreciate and respect the game much more and stay with it.

Now, it is unlikely such a system would be popular here in America, where anyone with a green dollar believes they are entitled to play, even if they don’t know a putter from a ball retriever. I am not saying we should make it difficult for people to take up golf, but maybe just put more emphasis on finding those willing to make the commitment necessary to really become enamored with the game. Those are the people that will stay with it and keep playing for years to come.
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Fedex cup good but, but it can be made great
1 Oct 2012

Fedex cup good but, but it can be made great

Several years ago, the PGA Tour instituted the FedEx Cup to give an exclamation point to the end of the season.  The Cup was based on the NASCAR system, which determines the champion of that racing circuit.  The Cup has done some of what it’s supposed to do, namely keep fan interest alive and provide some drama at a time when interest in professional golf starts to wane.

Still, in 2012, the FedEx Cup has somewhat of an identity crisis:  What, exactly, is it supposed to determine?  The major championships all have their long-established niches, and the Player of the Year may well be someone other than the FedEx Cup champion.  Contrast that to other sports, where there is a clear-cut champion at the end of each season.  The NASCAR Chase winner is THE champion; there is no debate.  Same goes for the World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, and NBA Finals winners.  But winning the FedEx Cup means…?

Given golf’s somewhat random nature, where virtually anyone can win in any given week, it doesn’t make much sense that someone can come from 26th position, as Bill Haas did a year ago, and claim the overall championship. Sure, major championships are decided by who plays well in that given week, but the FedEx Cup is billed as a “season-long” event.  Here is a proposed fix to make the “season-long” part more relevant, but with elements of a playoff that keeps some unpredictability.

Right now, points in the three “playoff” events (Barclay’s, Deutsche Bank, and BMW) are quintupled (5 times normal points).  The points are re-set for the Tour Championship.  While this makes the playoffs relevant, it over-rewards those who do well in the playoffs.  Yes, we know other sports do the same thing, but remember, the FedEx Cup is supposed to be season-long.  We propose a more modest doubling of the points for the first three events, and then tripling them for the Tour Championship with no pre-tournament re-set.

Remember the playoff between Haas and Hunter Mahan last year for all the marbles?  How would you like to have that every year?  Here’s where it can get interesting.  After the Tour Championship, take the top four in points and have them engage in a series of three sudden-death playoffs:  #4 vs. #3, the winner to face #2, and the winner of that match to face #1.  The winner of the Tour Championship, if not in the top four, would automatically become the #4 seed, bumping whoever was there.

The integrity of the regular season would be maintained to a higher degree, and yet the excitement of the post-season would be in play, too, to a degree never before seen.  This formula would give golf fans really something to talk about during football season.
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Diversify your life’s portfolio to increase your happiness and productivity
1 Oct 2012

Diversify your life’s portfolio to increase your happiness and productivity

Brandt Snedecker won the 2012 Tour Championship as well as the FedEx Cup for a whopping $11.4 million. When we see his victory from a distance, we might come to believe it was his ability to hit fairways and fantastic putting that made the difference (Brandt was #1 for both in this tournament). I say it is Brandt’s attitude which makes him a champion.

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Brandt when he played at Vanderbilt University.  My impressions of him were that he was quite insightful and bright, well beyond his years.

When interviewed at the Tour Championship this past week, Brandt stated that he has learned a powerful lesson as he got older:  Having balance in his life gave him a better golf game. Brandt mentioned that he has hit more than 1 million golf balls, and he does not have to practice so much anymore. He also said he works out in the gym much less. However, he does spend more time with his family (he has a young daughter, with another child on the way). This balanced perspective has not only helped with his mental well-being, but also, this new perspective has supercharged his game.

When we diversify and have more balance in our lives, we reduce our stress levels. Here is an analogy:  You have a variety of ego egg baskets. But, if you place all your ego eggs into only one basket, there is more pressure to perform well at that one activity to get those self-esteem points. For Brandt, he diversified his baskets. With greater balance in his life, the pressure is diminished for Brandt to always perform well, and as a result, he plays better in competition.

The ironic point of balance is that it increases your production by taking time away. When you have greater balance, you will have less stress and more energy to produce at higher levels for longer periods of time.

Unfortunately, many people in the business world do not see the irony of balance. They believe it is a badge of honor to work 80 hours a week and never take a timeout or go on vacation. Lee Iacocca, of Chrysler fame, has said, “I have seen many executives who have said with pride to me, “Boy, I worked so hard last year that I did not even take a vacation.” To Iacocca, that is foolish thinking. Taking a vacation and having balance is essential to your overall well- being in business.

Besides hurting your mental health, being uni-dimensional in your life can contribute to burnout. Sports psychologists have discovered that athletes who are uni-dimensional (only played one sport) suffered from greater burnout than those athletes who are multi-dimensional (played a variety of sports).

When all your ego eggs are in one basket, they can crack more easily. The same principle applies to your life.

Are you feeling drained and tired as a golf teacher? Are you on the way to burnout? Are you suffering from being uni-dimensional?

As a golf teaching professional, it is easy to overwork. When the lessons are there in this tough economy, you need to take them – right?  I would say be careful. While money in the pocket is always great, your longevity in this business is also essential. You must protect your overall well-being.  As Lee Iacocca mentioned, working 80 hours is not the best way to run a business.

Like Brandt, add to your balance sheet by diversifying your life’s portfolio. Add meaningful and fulfilling activities to your day. Make sure you play enough golf and spend time with your family. Diversify and you will greatly accrue in pleasure as well as productivity.
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Equipment and balls have not changed the game significantly… oh, really?
1 Oct 2012

Equipment and balls have not changed the game significantly… oh, really?

The USGA continues to say that equipment and ball improvements have had little effect on how the game is played. Are you kidding me? If that were the case, then why is it they are adding 500 yards to the Merion Golf Club for next year’s US Open? The original layout of the East Course measured just less than 6,500 yards. For the Open next year, it will be stretched to a whisker under 7,000 yards. I’m sure they would have made it longer if there was room. Merion is situated on a mere 128 acres. As it is, one tee is being moved almost off the golf course for added length.

The fact of the matter is modern equipment and balls have significantly altered how the game is played. If not, then why the need to redesign or lengthen all the courses that national championships are played on? The PGA Championship played at 7,676 yards. This year’s Open included par-four holes of more than 500 yards. The average golf course length in the 1960s was 6,400 yards. It is rare these days to see tournaments played at under 7,000 yards. The advances in technology are the reason. Let’s just be honest about it. I’m not passing judgment, good or bad, but to try to convince people that nothing has changed is ridiculous.
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