With the 2019 Morgan Cup less than 80 days away, I figured it would be best to start a thread that allowed the members of THP to follow along the MC journey that will transform both my body and golf game, and ensure that both are in optimal shape for the best golf experience/weekend of my life. Below I will lay out my body/golf prep goals, and over the course of the next few months I will keep you updated on my progress towards achieving those goals.
Body Transformation Goals
Weight (as of Jan 1) – 250 pounds
MC Goal Weight – 215 Pounds
Height (as of Jan 1) – 5’11”
MC Goal Height – as much as I would love to grow to 6’3”, unfortunately my height will not be changing from 5’11”
The weight loss goal is aggressive considering I have less than 3 months to accomplish it, however I know with hard work and discipline it can be done. My approach to the weight loss will include changes to my daily diet (I will be following Tim Ferris’ slow-carb method, a diet I have had success with in the past), as well as an increase in my daily physical activity. During a typical week I plan on weight training for 3 days, playing basketball 1-2 days, and incorporating some form of yoga ~2 days a week to help with flexibility and core strength (the DDP Yoga thread has peaked my interest). Through diet and exercise I should be able to shed ~45 pounds of “bad” weight, while simultaneously adding ~10 pounds of “good” weight (muscle). I will provide updates periodically with how my body is transforming and tracking towards my MC goal weight.
Golf Transformation Goals
USGA Handicap Index (as of Jan 1) – 19.6
MC Goal Handicap Index – 19.6 (I’m currently outside of my handicap season and it will not start again until after the MC, so this number will not be changing.)
My golf game transformation success will be a bit tougher to measure considering the fact that I am outside of my area’s handicap season and I will only be able to get in a few rounds prior to the MC. In terms of actual course work, I do plan on getting a round in with a Team HACKERS teammate during a trip to Arizona in the beginning of March, and also hope to tee it up for a 1-2 other rounds with Team HACKERS teammates in early/mid March (Northeast weather-dependent rounds). However, since my time on an actual course will be limited, I plan on supplementing that with weekly time in the simulator and putting/chipping drills at home. My goal will be to spend 2-3 hours a week at my local simulator where I will be working on building a consistent swing with the assistance of trackman video and data analysis (with my likely transition to OL it should be a bit easier to get the swing into a groove - :fingers-crossed , and also getting in at least 1 round per week of sim golf. In addition to the work on the simulator, I plan on working through putting drills (using my PuttOut and mat) 2-3 nights a week to ensure I am comfortable with my putting stroke and have confidence in my feel for pace. I’m also hopeful that the weather will be decent enough in March to work on my short game once/twice a week at a local course that has a top-notch short game area.
If I’m able to meet those goals and play a few rounds on actual golf courses, I feel that my golf game will be well prepared for the challenges it will face at the Morgan Cup.
The Morgan Cup has provided me with the ultimate form of motivation, and I look forward to seeing how my body and golf game transform over the next ~3 months. I will update you guys as often as I can throughout this journey, and I cannot wait to bring you along for the MC ride at Haig Point.
Body Transformation Goals
Weight (as of Jan 1) – 250 pounds
MC Goal Weight – 215 Pounds
Height (as of Jan 1) – 5’11”
MC Goal Height – as much as I would love to grow to 6’3”, unfortunately my height will not be changing from 5’11”
The weight loss goal is aggressive considering I have less than 3 months to accomplish it, however I know with hard work and discipline it can be done. My approach to the weight loss will include changes to my daily diet (I will be following Tim Ferris’ slow-carb method, a diet I have had success with in the past), as well as an increase in my daily physical activity. During a typical week I plan on weight training for 3 days, playing basketball 1-2 days, and incorporating some form of yoga ~2 days a week to help with flexibility and core strength (the DDP Yoga thread has peaked my interest). Through diet and exercise I should be able to shed ~45 pounds of “bad” weight, while simultaneously adding ~10 pounds of “good” weight (muscle). I will provide updates periodically with how my body is transforming and tracking towards my MC goal weight.
Golf Transformation Goals
USGA Handicap Index (as of Jan 1) – 19.6
MC Goal Handicap Index – 19.6 (I’m currently outside of my handicap season and it will not start again until after the MC, so this number will not be changing.)
My golf game transformation success will be a bit tougher to measure considering the fact that I am outside of my area’s handicap season and I will only be able to get in a few rounds prior to the MC. In terms of actual course work, I do plan on getting a round in with a Team HACKERS teammate during a trip to Arizona in the beginning of March, and also hope to tee it up for a 1-2 other rounds with Team HACKERS teammates in early/mid March (Northeast weather-dependent rounds). However, since my time on an actual course will be limited, I plan on supplementing that with weekly time in the simulator and putting/chipping drills at home. My goal will be to spend 2-3 hours a week at my local simulator where I will be working on building a consistent swing with the assistance of trackman video and data analysis (with my likely transition to OL it should be a bit easier to get the swing into a groove - :fingers-crossed , and also getting in at least 1 round per week of sim golf. In addition to the work on the simulator, I plan on working through putting drills (using my PuttOut and mat) 2-3 nights a week to ensure I am comfortable with my putting stroke and have confidence in my feel for pace. I’m also hopeful that the weather will be decent enough in March to work on my short game once/twice a week at a local course that has a top-notch short game area.
If I’m able to meet those goals and play a few rounds on actual golf courses, I feel that my golf game will be well prepared for the challenges it will face at the Morgan Cup.
The Morgan Cup has provided me with the ultimate form of motivation, and I look forward to seeing how my body and golf game transform over the next ~3 months. I will update you guys as often as I can throughout this journey, and I cannot wait to bring you along for the MC ride at Haig Point.