The Scream Heard Round the World...

You would have thought she had won the lottery.

We were playing at the Bobby's Legacy Course at Cragun's.  Sweet course...and I was with my parents, so it was even better.

The 16th hole is a shorter uphill par 4 with a bunch of bunkers. 

I remember my mom standing on the tee box and looking back at me saying, "Open, Close, Open, Close." 

Since my mom didn't play much golf, that's the simple instruction that I had given her years earlier that she always remembered.  Open the club, close the club.

She ripped a drive down the middle and had less than 100 yards to the green. 

From there, she took her utility club, did a mom waggle, and smacked it on the green...about 90 feet away from the flag.

But, hey, she was pumped.  On the green in two shots...that was awesome for her.

We used to call my mom Sandy Davis Jr when she putted.  Because I swear she had one eye.  And she would admit it....my mom was a brutal putter. 

But something was different this time.  She was determined.  So, she lined up her 90 footer, and started it on a nice roll down the hill. 

It rolled and rolled, then stopped...about halfway to the hole.

Yep, Sandy Davis Jr struck again.  She was 45 feet short of the hole.

She walked to the ball and did what she did best.  She laughed. 

She checked out her next putt and again started it rolling toward the hole.

It rolled down the hill, curved a little right, and started trickling toward the hole. 

Then I heard a sound that I had never heard before.  A sound that I have never heard since.

It was this blood-curdling scream of excitement and emotion. 

Have you ever seen the Price is Right, when people get called down to contestant's row?  They dance and high five and scream and smile. 

It was that.

Because the ball dropped in the cup.

My mom made one par in her entire golf career.

And I was there to see it.


The Light the Links fundraiser for Relay for Life (American Cancer Society) is this Saturday. 

This is going to be an awesome event and you get to help some people out in the process.

We're settting up Conviction Creek and the driving range at Parker's Lake for a night golf event, fully equipped with glow in dark everything.  If you haven't done one of these before, come check it out.  They are so much fun.

Plus 100% of your donation goes to Relay for Life.  Why?  Because we have so many awesome sponsors.

Buffalo Wild Wings is donating a bunch of wings.
J.R. Cookie Company is giving us some really tasty cookies.
Killebrew Root Beer is making root beer floats.
VSA Custom Apparel is supplying the glow in the dark t-shirts.
TwinCitiesGolf.com came up with a sweet hole in one prize package.
Fitness 19 is giving away a year membership to one of their clubs.
TRUE Linkswear (my favorite shoes) donated certificates for shoes (men's and women's)
...and some more coming on board everyday.

Join us this Saturday from either 9-10:30pm or 10:30-midnight.  Help people out and have some fun...it doesn't get better than that.
 

Registration is open for Summer Programs.

Kids, Teens, and Adults.


Team Golf

Happy Camp
 

The Happiest Golfer

 

Read this first so it's easier for you to sign up!

1.  To sign up, find the program you like and click Register Now.  It will bring you to a registration page.

2.  Click “Signup Online” on the right side of the page. 

3.  Select the number of players you are registering and click "Next."

4.  Fill out the payment form and click “Submit Payment.”  The window will close (or sometimes you may need to close it).  You will see a registration page where you will see Participant 1 and your last name.

5.  Click on Participant 1 and tweak any of the remaining info.

Then you're all set!

The whole process should take less than 2 minutes (depending on how fast your computer is moving today!)
 

Golf is Not My Everything

If you like golf, you should be like Bubba Watson.

If you don't like golf, you should be like Bubba Watson too.

Bubba is why I teach golf.

Not because you're going to go on and win the Masters.  Not because you are going to be instantly known all over the world.  Not because of all the endorsements and money that will flood your way.

No.

I teach golf so you can be like Bubba the person.

When you join me for golf, I will always encourage you to do two things:

1.  Surround yourself with good people.
2.  Have perspective.

If you have these two things, golf will be the greatest thing in your life. 

Why?

Because golf won't BE your life.

You'll be able to spend time with family and friends, and realize that everything else in life is more important than your golf score.

Bubba knows this.  In a recent interview he said:

"A few years ago, I was living the wrong way.  Every golf shot was controlling how mad I got, how I was on the golf course. But off the golf course, outside the ropes, as soon as I signed my scorecard, I didn't care if I shot 90 or 60. I was the fun, goofing-around little kid, joking around with everybody.

And so with my wife sitting me down and talking to me, and my caddie sitting me down, my close friends that were here today watching, they told me that I was going the wrong way.  You can't live your life that way. And so I had to change.

It hit home. It's a slow process. Been working hard."

After Bubba made his last putt to win, he hugged his caddie.  He hugged his mom.  He hugged Rickie Fowler.  He hugged Ben Crane.  He hugged Aaron Baddeley.  His Golf Boys (watch this video!) were there for him.  These are other guys on tour who just finished playing The Masters too.  They could have sulked about how they played that day, but no.  They were there for their friend. 

After his win, Bubba said:

"Hopefully I keep crying. Hopefully I keep having the passion to play golf and keep doing what I'm doing. The thing is, golf is not my everything."

In your approach to golf and to life, this perspective is really all that's important.

Bubba's team is not a swing coach or a sports psychologist or a fitness trainer.  Bubba's team is his family and friends.

Who's on your team?


Talk soon,
Bryan

Good People Can Disagree

The PGA may not like this.

But I'm okay with that.

Cause as I learned growing up, good people can disagree.

Just because I have an opinion on something and you have an opinion on something doesn't mean that our character is any different.  You could still be my best friend in the world.  Our opinion is just that...what we think.  (Although, when it comes to Nickelback, if you think they're good, then your opinion is wrong). 

And I happen to think differently than the PGA.

A little background....the PGA (Professional Golfer's Association) is basically my governing board (besides my wife).  They do a lot of good things.  They are the ones who put on the PGA Championship in August every year.  They are the ones who promote the heck out of the game.  They are the ones who donate great amounts of money to charity.  And they are the ones who tell me that I can't wear shorts when it's 100 degrees out.  They are also the ones who let me use the letters behind my name.  (The letters that most of you don't care about).

I've been a member of the PGA since 2005 and worked hard to achieve it.  I'm not discounting the positive impact that the PGA has.  I just disagree with one of their major points.

Right now, one of their major points of emphasis is to grow the game.

Their stance is that if they can get people better at the game, then they'll enjoy it more, spend more money at the facility, and create more jobs for PGA Professionals.  At least that's how they're selling it to us.

I went to a PGA education workshop yesterday at Bunker Hills (site of where Arnold Palmer waved at my mom...different story, different day).  The workshop focused on incorporating fitness into our teaching. 

I think fitness is great.  (2004 Bryan would disgree...but he was an idiot).  I think that everyone should do a little stretching, just for the simple fact of feeling better.  But the workshop focus was on keeping people playing golf by showing them that they need a fitness routine, or else their skills will diminish (or never improve). 

I agree.  If your body can't physically do something, there is a liklihood that over time your swing will deteriorate. 

But for most people...but for you...is the swing the most important part of playing golf?

I don't disagree with growing the game.  I just disagree with how they are trying to do it.

I understand that the PGA is a business, but golf doesn't need to be sold on better players = more revenue.  Better posture, better grip, better rotation, better club speed, and better fitness does not mean more people are going to play golf.  I've been around golf most of my life and I could care less about that stuff!

And I know you don't care that much either.

Okay, I know what you're thinking.  "Great.  I want to sign up for golf with Bryan, but he doesn't even care about teaching me to get better."

Wrong. 

Teaching you to get better is just a small part of what I do.  I also teach you to be more self confident.  I teach you how to enjoy your day more.  I teach you about perspective.  I teach you that there is much more to golf than a swing and a score.

Because a better swing doesn't keep you playing.  A better experience does.

The PGA is focusing on the lesson as the catalyst to playing more golf.

Lessons won't keep people playing.  Experiences keep people playing.

Sure, everything tends to be more fun when you are a little better at it.  But the swing and the score is just a very small fraction of why people play the game.

I play golf because of the people.  I don't have more fun or less fun based on the score I shoot.

Why do you play the game? 

It's the very first question that should be asked.  And many of you have told me why you play.  "To be with friends", "to get some exercise", "to be with my kids", "for personal challenge", "to try something new"...the list goes on and on.  Very rarely is the answer "to score low" or "have a great swing."

The overall experience of golf is most important factor.  And nothing else.  If you don't have fun doing something, you won't do it anymore.  I've seen really good golfers get burned out and quit.  And I've seen the crappiest players absolutely love the game. 

The PGA doesn't need to create better swings for people.  The PGA needs to create better experiences for people...especially kids. 

Do you know the top two reasons 70% of kids quit sports before they're 13?
1.  It's not fun.
2.  Friends don't play.

This is why I preach about forming golf teams.  This is why I have a duck race.  This is why I have The Daddy Caddy.  This is why our 10am classes start about 10:08am.  (My little secret...it's not because we're running late...it's so you can talk with other moms, dads, and kids.  So you can catch up, plan play dates after golf, and tell some stories).

At the end of the day, your kids don't say, "I had a perfect swing today and made great contact." 

No.  They say, "That was so fun.  I hit the golf ball picker, won a Jolly Rancher sucker, and stacked two golf balls on top of each other!"

Better swings and better scores will not correlate to you playing more.

Creating a better overall experience will.  And fun and friends need to be at the forefront.

You want to see who's having fun with golf?

Check out The Golf Boys.
Check out The Ben Crane Workout Routine
Check out my Licorice Trick or my Peanut Trick

Regardless of your swing, if you don't have a good experience, you won't play. 

I will give you a good experience.

Talk soon,
Bryan


P.S.  More info to come on the night golf event...Light the Links...date changed to May 12 (May 19 is prom for Wayzata...can't do that to them)


www.bryansgolf.com
www.thehappiestgolfer.com
bryan@bryansgolf.com
763-443-8090

Facebook: Bryan Skavnak Golf Academy

Growing Up, Playing Sports

Back when I was a young Bryan, I played on a lot of teams.

I played baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, and a bunch of other things.  Nerd alert: I was even on a math team once.  (Still proud of that).

I wasn't the most athletic on any of my teams, although I was the most athletic in our family.  But, saying that I was the "most athletic Skavnak" is like saying Khloe is the "smartest Kardashian".  Just doesn't mean much.

In our family, we loved (and still love) sports.  My parents were always there cheering me on.  They weren't helicopter parents.  They just encouraged me to play.  Have fun with friends and play.

So we did.

All throughout the year, my friends and I would goof around and make up games.  We played tackle basketball in the snow in the winter.  We had tennis tournaments with Wimbledon style bracketing.  We played wiffle ball in the yard until holes formed where the bases were.

I was never the most skilled, the most talented, or the most gifted on these teams.  But I was part of something fun.  So.  Much.  Fun. 

I don't remember scores of baseball games.  I don't remember tennis matches won.  I don't remember golf scores.

I do remember my coaches.  (Jim and Larry in baseball).  (Another Jim and my dad in basketball)  (A couple of Bobs in both high school and college golf). 

I do remember my teammates.

I do remember the pizza parties.

I do remember the dirt storm, the bus ride, the concession stands, and the time I get hit in the face with a screaming grounder. 

And I do have a million stories that I can tell my kids, my friends, my family, and you.

Now that I'm a little older, those are the fun memories I look back on.  I'm sure at the time, I wanted to win every game, hit tons of homeruns, and score tons of points. 

But now I know that the team mattered most.  And everything surrounding the team was way more important than winning and losing.

Gather your team and have some fun with me this summer.

Registration opens right now for summer classes. 

Click here to sign up.

Sign up your kids to be part of a team.  I guarantee you they'll have fun memories. 

Sign up yourself for your own team (yep, we have Adult Team Golf and other programs now..and it's going to be awesome) and relive some of your fun memories when you were growing up (no grounders to the face). 

Click here to sign up.

Thanks,
Bryan


www.bryansgolf.com
www.thehappiestgolfer.com
bryan@bryansgolf.com
763-443-8090

Facebook: Bryan Skavnak Golf Academy

Is This a Game or an Event?

Summer Program details released today....but first a story.

A few weeks ago, I was at a Super Bowl party. 

The party had all the essentials: a ton of food, a stocked fridge, big TVs showing the game, a bunch of friends, and White Castle (I guess that's food.....or at least I think it is).

I was in the kitchen eating my 6th slider when my friend Todd asked me a question.

"Hey Bryan, is this a game or an event?"

I'm sure I threw out some smart aleck answer.  Kind of my M.O.  But then it got me thinking (I know, dangerous).

I don't really like football that much.  It's okay.  I don't set aside every Sunday to watch it.  But if it's on at a restaurant, I'll check it out.  I got kicked out of Fantasy Football the only year I played because I never paid attention and didn't make any roster moves.  I understand the appeal and I see why other people love it.  I'd just rather be doing something else.

But the Super Bowl party...I'd never miss it. 

Why?

Because I wasn't there for the game.  I was there for everything surrounding the game.

That football game is an excuse to have an event.

It's an excuse to get friends together, eat a bunch of food, make some jokes, play some games, and talk with people.  I love THAT stuff.

It's the reason card clubs are formed.  It's the reason bowling leagues meet.  It's the reason kids get into sports.

The game is the excuse for the event.

When I take my kids to Target Field, they don't go to see if the Twins win.  They go to eat popcorn and hot dogs (and whatever else their mom usually doesn't allow them to eat).  They go to sing along to the music between innings.  They go to see TC ride around the field. 

For us, Team Golf is an event.  For us, Happy Camp is an event. 

There are no other golf programs that teach the game, but make friendship the priority. 

There are no other programs that focus more on everything surrounding the golf game than the actual golf game.

There are no other programs that have putting races, Duck races, Skav-enger hunts, trivia contests, and pizza parties. 

There are no other programs that have something as cool as The Daddy Caddy.

Why do we grow every year?  Why do people rave about what we do? 

Because we focus our attention on the people playing the game.  Not the game itself.

When you come to my golf program, you're not coming to learn a game.

Sorry.  If you want to learn all about swing mechanics, proper angles, and ball flights, I have some friends that teach that way and I'll be happy to hook you up.

But, if you want to be part of an event.  If you want to have an experience.  If you want to gain self confidence and feel better about who you are and what you can do.  If you want to be around happy, smiling, helpful people... then my programs are perfect for you.

Because golf is just an excuse to be with your friends.  Golf is an excuse to have a duck race.  Golf is an excuse to have The Daddy Caddy.  Golf is an excuse to have a Skav-enger Hunt.  Golf is an excuse to have a putting race.  Golf is an excuse to smile, and laugh, and play.

Will you learn golf? 

Of course. 

But is showing you how to shoot a low score on the top of the list?

Absolutely not.

Showing you how to have more fun with your friends.  Showing you how to LOVE doing something.  Showing you how to be a part of a team.  Showing you that you are better than you think you are.  Those things are way up on the list.

Games are excuses to have events. 

I try to make every one of my programs an event.  Something that you will remember.  Something that puts a smile on your face, makes you feel a little happier, and helps you.

The 2012 programs are now online at www.bryansgolf.com.  Registration starts Tuesday, March 6th. 

If you want to be part of something worthwhile, come check it out. 

Thanks,
Bryan

P.S.  If you want to get on the priority registration list, shoot me an email at bryan@bryansgolf.com.  I can usually be bribed with cookies.  My kryptonite.


www.bryansgolf.com
www.thehappiestgolfer.com
bryan@bryansgolf.com
763-443-8090

Facebook: Bryan Skavnak Golf Academy

Charlie

What concert cost 45 cents?

50 Cent with Nickelback.  (thanks Kelsey)


When I first started teaching golf, I was 19.  And even though some of my students were only a few years younger than me, I was the role model.  I was the one that they would look to for golf advice. 

After a few years of teaching, I realized that I was more of a psychologist than a golf pro.  I didn't help kids learn golf, I helped kids learn about life.  I was able to influence these kids by simply talking with them...asking questions, listening, smiling, laughing.  It's amazing what kids will tell you when you're with them for an hour.

Do I think it's a fluke that my program has grown so well over the years?

Not at all. 

Because I work my butt off.  But mostly I take a different approach.

I talk with you. 

I really talk.

I want to get to know who you are as a person, not just how you can swing a golf club.

Anybody can teach golf.  But I want to teach life too.

You can watch the golf channel, read Golf Digest, and take lessons that focus strictly on lowering your score.  But eventually that learned skill deteriorates.  Eventually, you're just not as good as you used to be.

But you still have character.  You still have your values.

It doesn't matter if you win any golf tournaments.
It doesn't matter if your score goes down.
It doesn't matter if you beat everyone in your group.
It doesn't matter if you have a bunch of trophies.
It doesn't matter if your swing is flawless.

What matters is that you really enjoy doing something.  What matters is who you are.  What matters is your character. 

You can be the greatest golfer in the world.  But if you're a jerk, then I don't want anything to do with you. 

It's kind of like when you see a super hot girl and she's smoking a cigarette.  You're hot, but you smoke, so I want nothing to do with that.  (Oh, yeah, and I'm married too.)

When kids come back year after year, I like seeing how they have grown.  Not in size, or stature, or golf ability, but in terms of character.

Are they getting along with their sister better?
Are they doing better in school?
Are they appreciating what their parents do for them?
Are they trying their best?
Are they trying to make other people feel good?
Are they being generous?

That stuff matters.

I'm very lucky to be in a position that can influence kids and help them become more confident, happy adults. 

And I'm lucky that I have some great kids in my program.

There's a kid in one of my classes...let's call him Charlie (because that's his name).

Charlie is a great kid.  He gets along with other kids in the class.  He's smart.  He's a hard worker.  He loves trying trick shots I show him.  And yeah, he's a good golfer.

At Christmastime, I sent Charlie a t-shirt that said, "I'd rather be golfing with Bryan."

We'd always gotten along great, and I thought he'd get a kick out of it. 

A week later, I got a package in the mail. 

It was the same style envelope that I had sent him. 

I opened it up and pulled out a bright pink t-shirt. 

It said, "I'd rather be golfing with Charlie."

Charlie is a good golfer.  But he's a better kid.


Thanks,
Bryan


P.S.  Next Tuesday, Feb 21, I'll release the summer program schedule for both kids and adults.  If you want to have a happy summer, you'll want to check it out.  If you hate your kids, just disregard it. 

P.P.S.  If you need the schedule earlier because you're comparing other summer activity schedules, shoot me an email.  I may be able to help you out a little early.


www.bryansgolf.com
www.thehappiestgolfer.com
bryan@bryansgolf.com
763-443-8090

Facebook: Bryan Skavnak Golf Academy


 

The Nerds

Fenwick Mugglesweater.

That was the answer I got.

The question was, "What should I name the Scottish-looking dude in my logo?"

Most kids said, "Jimmy"  "Dylan"  "Jack"

But one kid said, "Fenwick Mugglesweater."

Ah, the nerds.

I use that term in a genuinely heartfelt way because I am a nerd and I'm proud of it.

There was this group of kids who were all friends from school/growing up. 

None of them were exceptional athletes, but they didn't care. 

Either did we. 

None of them had any plans of doing much with golf, but they didn't care. 

Either did we. 

All of them were scared of girls. 

So were we.

These guys were awesome.  And even though I haven't seen any of them for a few years, I know they're still awesome. 

They were one of our first teams in our Team Golf program and they epitomized (biggest word I'll ever use!) what a team should be...and what golf should be about.

They laughed with each other.  They strategized with each other.  They made fun of each other.  They congratulated each other. 

And they were smart.

Man, were they smart.

Any one of them could program anything on a computer...easily...and well.  They would make fun of each other for not knowing C++.  (I'm not sure what that is)

And the nerds asked the greatest question I have ever heard in one of my camps,

"Can we do the Iwo Jima?"

I knew exactly what they were talking about.  (Google Iwo Jima Flag if you don't know).

"Of course you can do the Iwo Jima...because it's awesome that you know what that is."

So they took the flag from the 9th hole and "did the Iwo Jima."

The nerds were creative and funny.  They had no problem talking Star Wars, school work, or Java Script.

They cared about the games and the competition, but not the winning.  They wanted to try their best, but when they went home, they'd do something else and forget about golf.

And that's cool.

Have fun with your friends for a while, then do something else. 

Golf is fun, but friends are better.

Go be a nerd.


Thanks,
Bryan



P.S.  In the evaluation at the end of the season, the Nerds also wanted a "real mermaid."


www.bryansgolf.com
www.thehappiestgolfer.com
bryan@bryansgolf.com
763-443-8090

Facebook: Bryan Skavnak Golf Academy