Each year we talk about different goals and it could be anything from breaking 100 to getting to a THP Experience or playing a bucket list course. One thing rarely discussed is breaking those down into micro-goals and discussing what is next.
What is your next goal? Large or small, what is the next thing you are looking towards accomplishing and how are you working to get there?
2. My PB is 75 now. The next "break step" is to break par.
3. Win an event in my Scottsdale league. I have come close and in a handicap range where winning the overall event is tough. I probably have to shoot par or better gross to win.
what the hell else is there?????
I’ll say this: generally enjoying the game more and appreciating the architecture and knocking off some bucket list courses.
I’ll certainly work at golfing with likeminded people who feel the same way as I do about enjoying it. It’s supposed to be fun. Sometimes it’s not. Who cares.
in regards to the bucket list courses and architecture. I was approved to be a golf week/usatoday. Course reater last fall. With that comes someobligation to have a better understanding of architecture, architects, design, flow etc. will be attending some small rater outings in which they bring in architects to discuss nuances. Really looking forward to it!
I would also love to get into a THP event again. Has been unfortunately 3 years now that the Mizuno experience in 2020 ended up getting cancelled.
?
Getting my swing more consistent and repeatable so I can eliminate the 2 way miss with driver.
Going to start working things/rebuilding from short game up, but definitely need to put out some more defined goals than that.
First off was hernia surgery and the lay off
Then was buying, selling and moving from our old house to the new/temp space (until late Oct, Nov).
So, now, I am back and hitting balls – my timing is off, my consistency is way off, I have to learn about the dreaded bad grass greens of the deeper south, living now at about sea level I need to notice that the ball does not quite go as far (which is meaningful for me as I am not a big hitter (like the Lama),
So….nice course is 2 miles away, I got a VIP membership, joined an official handicap GHIN service, and am trying to hit the range – a grass range AWESOME – about 1 to 2 times a week and play the same about 1 to 2 times a week – all in an effort to get consistency back – so for me, that’s the goal – get consistency back.
After that, its continue to be active here – this place, love it.
2. shoot under par, best round is 73 and tons of 74’s. I’ve been 3 under as late as the 13th hole.
3. Solid traveling 5 handicap with scoring average of 78 or better – this I’ve been working all all year with lessons, purposed practice, DECADE and LSW strategy, fitness training, etc….
4. Gain significant swing speed
I am looking to travel more, hopefully to a THP event, but just to get out and play some courses that are on my list. I am starting to save up and put money aside and hope in 2023 I can scratch one off the list.
Be eligible for mid-am qualifying: 3.4 handicap. Then try to qualify and return a score within 10 of the course rating (avoid the nasty-gram from USGA).
Be eligible for US Am Qualifying: 2.4 handicap. Then try to qualify and return a score within 10 of the course rating.
Be eligible for US Open Qualifying: 1.4 handicap. Do local qualifying and return a score within 8 of the course rating.
This would require consistent day-to-day play, and good play during qualifying. I am working on bettering my ball off the tee, as well as play around the greens while executing proper course strategy.
1. Settle in with the 1.0 and practice putting to a spot instead of rolling straight 6-12’ putts.
2. Work on approach game from 200yards-100 yards.
3. Study more about course management and experiment with club selection.
4. Get more involved in other areas of THP. I’m trying my best with club/gear reviews but I’m not too well informed on the tech side.
5. Last but not least, drop the remaining strokes needed for the handicap goal.
He’s recently rediscovered his love for the game after a 5 year layoff and it’s coming back to him quickly! He out drives me but I still make up strokes on him around the greens. It’s only a matter of time though!
As for how I’m going to get there, I’ve gotten guidance from a coach and will be working the drills at home and on the range. Later we’ll follow up with an online lesson and maybe an in-person lesson (the coach is remote).
Whenever possible, rather than making a quick trip to the nearby range, I’m going to make the longer drive to a place with a short-game area and spend 80% of my time on short game and putting.
I have my golf goal which is to break / stay under 100. A lot of small goals with that one.
Driver:
Fairway 50%+
Driver distance 215+
Top of bag:
Find something that works as a long weapon
Irons:
Get consistent gapping and flights
Wedges:
Get the greens
Putting:
Eliminate 3 putts to once per 18
I never tried to qualify for the US Open but in my better golf days I used do the US Am and Mid Am (I actually was an alternate for both in the early 2000s but never qualified). Unless it is obvious you don’t belong in the field they didn’t used to send the nasty gram. I just posted an 84 in the US Sr Am qualifier where the CR is 72.2 and I don’t expect I will get the nasty-gram. We were the first group out and played the front 9 in under 1:50 minutes before we got held up by tee times off the back. At the end of the day that is really what the USGA cares about that you don’t hold up pace of play or distract your playing partners.
1) Improve my approach game. According to shot scope I’m losing strokes on approach compared to a 15HCP and want to get to +1 strokes gained or better. I’m expecting the new Edel irons to immediately help but I’m really working on getting my weight through on every swing and improving my tempo.
2) Working on my mental game to improve my short game. A lot of my big mistakes come from mental lapses in my short game where I just rush and don’t pay attention.
3) Improve my sand game. This has always been my biggest weakness and I never work on it because there is no convenient facility with sand to hit out of. I’m going to make the effort to get out to a facility with a good sand practice area once a week to try and improve here.
Goals already achieved: Better Ball Striking, Course Management, Gain Distance off the tee. Scoring consistency(less doubles or worse)
1) consistently break 90 by early 2024 golf season
2) single-digit cap by end of 2023 season
3) golf trip to Ireland
Although I will put forth my best effort, scores will be kind of important, but not really a big deal.
I’m looking at playing 2 or more 9/18 rounds per week, with practice days in between.
The only other goal I might like, is to try out a SeeMore putter some day..
Step 1: Learn how to break 90 again
Micro goals:
My mental game is a wreck. I’ve had too many thoughts swirling in my head and play golf swing too often. I need to improve that if I want to find any sort of form. To start with, I’m finding I’m not very committed to my shot. There’s a lot of hoping and begging in my mind. Commit to 50% of my shots and work up to 100% from there.
The funny thing is I’m most committed on the most difficult of my recovery shots. Whether it’s a low, rising punch or a partial iron that’ll fit into a window that gives me room. And those are the shots I have been doing well on. Not the easy wedge from the fairway, the ridiculous recovery that I need to be committed to pull off gives me more success. I need that commitment in all of my shots.
2. Consistently Break 90
3. Play more golf, have more fun doing so.