As I sit licking those Christmas financial wounds, I’m feeling a bit philosophical about my game. What will 2008 bring? Or, maybe more importantly, what will I bring to my game in 2008? Given the season, I suppose it’s best to do this in the form of New Year’s resolutions, golf style.
Read on to see mine… the front nine, anyway.
- Lose weight. I can think of many times when I’ve left a club in the trunk, or left one out on the course somewhere, but I can’t think of a time I’ve ever thought my round was ruined because I made the loop with fewer than 14 bats. How many clubs are absolutely essential, anyway? The driver, putter, and wedges, for sure, but I’m not sure it makes much difference if you have absolutely every possible distance covered with the rest. I want to walk and carry for more of my rounds, and I’ll facilitate it by lightening things up.
- Go to church more. The Church of Golf, of course. (Well, real church, too. I don’t like upsetting Gods, golf or otherwise almighty.) This translates to playing more, of course. Who wouldn’t resolve to do this?
- Be a better Dad. Get my kids out on the course with me more. I always offer, but am probably too quick to let them off the hook when they want to be playing the Wii or Playstation. I plan to try the Johnny Miller method with my five-year-old, bringing him out to drive the cart and hit balls (or throw rocks) into the ponds, gradually progressing to golf.
- Study. My game, that is. Learn my real weaknesses and practice them, rather than practicing the things I can already handle fairly well.
- Have fun. Play a few rounds without keeping score, or at least without worrying about score. Play nine holes in a row without meticulously lining up every shot and sweating a mental checklist on every swing. In other words, play like a kid again, at least once.
- See the world. Take a golf trip to a really nice location, someplace I haven’t been. Maybe Bandon Dunes.
- Save money. For one full season, don’t buy any new clubs, bags, or shoes. Not sure I can enforce this on clothing.
- Get a raise. Ha! No, seriously. I hope my boss is reading.
- Reach for the stars. Three birdies in a row, and under par for nine holes. At least once, this year, maybe? Please?
Please chip in with your contributions!
great post! As I enjoy my last year in my 40’s, I’m making fitness a goal this year, continue to play for fun, with less emphasis on score, going to Bandon again, but admittedly still hoping to get down to 2 and shoot my first round in the 60’s. I love your “Johnny Miller” idea to get your youngster out there with you. Wish I’d picked up the game before my son was 20 and too busy with college and work to join me.
For 2008 I plan on doing a few things different!
1. I am going to take a divot…not a litle grass on my sweeping swing…an actual beaver tail! Should help with consistent ball striking.
2. Practice my short game! I hit the range and hit tons of balls…but I never find time to practice the little things! Should help avoid the occassional blow up hole and improve my scores.
3. Play more often…I can get out 2-3 times if lucky during the week and then I have the weekend…I am shooting for 4 rounds per week…lets hope my wife understands!
4. Become a student of the game…Yes I am going to break down and spend my money on lessons for the first time and not new clubs! Never had lessons before so I am not sure how it will help…but it sure can’t hurt!!
My goal for golf is to not care. I love golf but expectations are killer for the average player. In years past I would set goals to shoot this score by years end, practice more, etc., and my game continually deteriorated and most importantly, I wasn’t having fun. So last years resolution was to not care, have no expectations.
“I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say let… lets evolve, let the chips fall where they may.” -Tyler
Guess what happened, I started playing better…
The same applies to this year.
D_Nice:
Who is Tyler?
Very wise comments. I may try it myself this year.
Thanks for reading.