A Midway Progress Report on My Golf Goals for ’08

In January, I put forth a set of goals for my golf game for 2008. At the time, the year was new and anything seemed possible.

It’s been a year of struggles for me… from a Myrtle Beach trip during which I broke 90 only once, to a weird rib injury caused by (most likely) a sneeze, to my annoying recent habit of stringing pars together on both sides of a quintuple bogey. But I think things are starting to turn in the right direction. The rest of the year will tell.

Let’s see how I’m doing so far…Number Five: This Stuff is Getting Old
My first goal for 2008 was to get off the 8.0 index that I’ve been stuck on or near for the last two years, and get down to, specifically, a 5.0. Well, I’m not stuck on 8.0 anymore!

As they say, be careful what you wish for. I’m currently an official 9.9, and I’ve been flirting with double digits all year. It’s not all bad, though. I’ve altered my swing since last year and I’m actually hitting the ball better than ever (except when I’m off and then it’s “Shank you very much!”).

On top of that, I’ve been experimenting with the Stan Utley short game method, which has taken some getting used to. I’m a believer in the the chipping and pitching style (basically making the shortgame swing a smaller version of the real one), but I’m yet to be fully convinced of his bunker technique (setting up square with the ball back and the left wrist cupped). The short game is starting to come together though, especially when I can stay out of bunkers.

I’ve also been putting very poorly recently. I could easily save six strokes a round if I just started making some putts. I’ve been three-putting and even four-putting on occasion. But again, there’s reason for optimism. I’ve started using a Z Factor Perfect Putting Machine and making time to practice putting specifically. The next few weeks should tell whether the improvement plan is working or whether I should just start all over left handed.

To top it all off, I was laid up (golf-wise anyway) by a bruised/sprained (or otherwise quite painful) rib that kept me off the golf course for almost the entire month of May. Let’s just say, be careful how you sneeze!

I think there’s still a chance of getting under 8.0 again at the very least, if not getting into the neighborhood of 5.0. I think things are going in the right direction. As Tiger always said, “It’s close, it’s really close.” Of course, I’d settle for his “not all that close.” But seriously, I’m getting close!

Number Four: Golf the Year Round
What can I say, I blew it, again. I could have taken clubs to Florida in January but, in the interest of saving some money and marital bliss, decided not to. As it worked out, January is the only month that I didn’t play a single round. I got my first post-rib injury round in over Memorial Day weekend, so May was covered. Hey, if I keep this up and play in January ’09, it would be like the Tiger Slam… Wouldn’t it?

Number Three: Keep Some Old Friends Around
I am always trying out new clubs and shuffling the contents of my golf bag. Golf shop workers know me all over town. You know how Vegas hotels will send a limo to pick up high rollers and bring them to the casino? OK, the golf shops don’t yet do that for me, but maybe one of these days.

So how have I done on keeping at least some of the same cast of characters around? Well, despite my lust for the Titleist AP2s, my beloved Mizuno MP-60s are still secure in the bag. Somewhat surprisingly, the same putter is in the bag, even though I’ve struggled this year. I just can’t find anything that I like more than my Redwood Anser. The Titleist 907D2 is still the driver of choice, and my Tour Edge Exotics CB2 3-wood is in no danger of losing its spot.

What’s changed? My two Nickent 3DX ironwoods have lost their slots (through no real fault of their own), replaced by a TE Exotics CB2 5-wood (just an unbelieveable club) and a Titleist 585H 21° hybrid. A couple new arrivals in the bag are Mizuno MP-T wedges (53° and 58°), supplanting the 56 and 60° Titleist Vokeys, for the moment anyway. My 52° Vokey lives on, though now bent to 50°.

So if I’m counting correctly, that’s only four new clubs this year, or under 29% of the total clubs in the bag. That’s not too bad for me; of course, the year is only half over.

Number Two: Play a New Road Game
I regret to say, I have not yet added a new state to those I have played golf in. I had a chance to play in the Bahamas (no, it’s not a state, but it would be a cool place to play) in February, but the time constraints were just too tight.

Never fear. Come September, I’ll be adding one, and maybe two, to the total. If I can just keep from sneezing wrong again until after that!

Number One: Do a Reality Show
Well, what can I say. I didn’t even make it to the video round of the “What Would You Shoot?” U.S. Open Contest.

Could I have shot under 114? Yeah, I think I could. I’m a little doubtful that I could have broken 100, though, and I guarantee I’d have been a three-putting fool out there.

I think John Atkinson aquitted himself pretty well, all things considered. The pressure of the TV cameras and all the attention may have been tougher than the course itself. The celebrity golfers have the advantage of spending time in the limelight so the media frenzy surrounding the contest probably did not affect them all that much. They could just play golf. Atkinson had to fight the course, the media, and cancer. The cards were stacked against him.

Would I have hit hybrid off the first tee? Not a chance… I’d have hooked my driver out of sight, just like any other round.