If you were "the next best" Pro, what would your goals be?

[TN94z]

I was reading an article this morning about Rory's win and how he is being compared to Tiger and records, etc....

Rory said:

Quote:

"I've never thought of breaking any records," he said. I said when I won my first one, I wanted to win a second. And now that I've won a second, I want to win my third. I've got no targets, no records. I've never been that kind of person. I just want to and play my golf and try to win tournaments. If they add up to whatever number it is at the end of my career, I'll be happy."

And that got me thinking about myself.  If I were in Rory's position, would I be thinking about records or just one tournament at a time?  Personally, I think his outlook is great. If your wins add up to some record breaking number at some point, then great!  If not, that's okay too.  Taking it one step at a time without the pressure of having to "measure up" to the record books would be the best way to go.  I'm not saying that Tiger sits around and dwells over his numbers and I'm sure he takes it one tournament at a time, but the media has put him on this pedestal of breaking Jack's records and when he doesn't, when a major....that's all that is talked about.   Rory has a TON of talent, obviously, and I would hate to see that diminish because of him being labeled as "the record breaker" which could add too much pressure.

So my question is which direction would motivate you guys more?  Would you rather have that record number to shoot for or would you just go with the flow and if it happened, it happened?

[GaijinGolfer]

I think you have to think about it one tournament at a time.  If you dont, you will put too much pressure on yourself and the records will seem impossible to break.

[Spyder]

One tournament at a time. Sometimes it helps just to sit back and relax when you're golfing as well and take it one hole at a time, rather than looking ahead or thinking ahead. Pressure builds when you think outside of the context of "right now".

Unrelated, but hilarious.... "I'm speaking to you.... as we speak, from the now... in the middle of the now" - Ben Crane

Rory should definitely take up this routine. I could see him creeping up on Jack following this regimen!

[TN94z]

Ben is a NUT!!

[Clambake]

I think pros in any sport who look at their goals in terms of record numbers of wins or scores or whatever is appropriate for that sport are setting themselves up for failure both professionally and personally.   It's a flawed way of setting goals.    Tiger did that with Jack's majors record, and if he falls short does that mean he has been a failure as a golfer?  Personally, I'm sure he would feel he failed himself.   And if he reaches that number, then what?  Does that mean he feels deep satisfaction and stop?   David Duval said in a recent interview that his goal was to win a major, and then when he did he was left to ponder the letdown of reaching his lifelong goal and what he had previously perceived as a pinnacle.

It seems athletes are more successful if they have their goals in the process and in improving their personal performances and then letting the results fall where they may.     The recent Olympics showed many great examples of this where athletes were setting personal bests on the biggest event of their lives - they've done everything they could and then let results be whatever.

I think Rory's approach is probably the healthiest way to look at goal setting and will likely mean that he'll have longer success in his career and will be happier in the process.   Golf is a sport that no matter how well you do there is always room for improvement - goal setting focused on that improvement rather than the result will be more constructive.

[Ben]

I like that quote from Rory:

"I've never thought of breaking any records," he said. I said when I won my first one, I wanted to win a second. And now that I've won a second, I want to win my third. I've got no targets, no records. I've never been that kind of person. I just want to and play my golf and try to win tournaments. If they add up to whatever number it is at the end of my career, I'll be happy."

I do however, believe that it is important to have goals. I'd have to imagine Olympic Gold is on his mind. Whether he puts it to paper or not.

And to answer the question of the thread. That'd me my goal. Olympic Gold and Ryder Cup victories. I was lucky enough to compete in something called the North-South Cup put on between SoCal and NorCal PGA pros. As much of an introverted, semi narcissist that I am, it was SO much fun playing for and representing the SoCal team. It didn't hurt that we won as well. But yeah, representing America against the world's best has to be as exhilarating a feeling as an athlete can experience.

Aside form that I'd shoot for the career slam. As well as multiple US Open wins.

Edit: to address Clambake. Once a goal is reached, take in your sense of accomplishment for a while, then recalibrate. There's always something bigger to strive for. But yes, Rory's method is something I admire as well. very zen-like. Go with the flow.

[SloverUT]

Originally Posted by Ben

I like that quote from Rory:

"I've never thought of breaking any records," he said. I said when I won my first one, I wanted to win a second. And now that I've won a second, I want to win my third. I've got no targets, no records. I've never been that kind of person. I just want to and play my golf and try to win tournaments. If they add up to whatever number it is at the end of my career, I'll be happy."

I do however, believe that it is important to have goals. I'd have to imagine Olympic Gold is on his mind. Whether he puts it to paper or not.

And to answer the question of the thread. That'd me my goal. Olympic Gold and Ryder Cup victories. I was lucky enough to compete in something called the North-South Cup put on between SoCal and NorCal PGA pros. As much of an introverted, semi narcissist that I am, it was SO much fun playing for and representing the SoCal team. It didn't hurt that we won as well. But yeah, representing America against the world's best has to be as exhilarating a feeling as an athlete can experience.

Aside form that I'd shoot for the career slam. As well as multiple US Open wins.

Edit: to address Clambake. Once a goal is reached, take in your sense of accomplishment for a while, then recalibrate. There's always something bigger to strive for. But yes, Rory's method is something I admire as well. very zen-like. Go with the flow.

I don't think Rory's method is all that different form yours.  He always has a goal.  However, he may not have a goal to set records or 3-4+ goals lined up at a time.

When he went Pro his goal was to win a golf tournament.  After winning his first tournament his goal was to win a second.   It may not be a far reaching goal but it is a goal and a simplistic one at that.    I don't think it matters if you set a goal to win 5 majors from the beginning or if you set a goal to win one, and then another.  Either way, if he won 5 majors, he would have achieved either set of goals.

[Clambake]

Originally Posted by Ben

Edit: to address Clambake. Once a goal is reached, take in your sense of accomplishment for a while, then recalibrate. There's always something bigger to strive for.

I hear you as an approach, and for many this probably works well.    Maybe I'm jaded but I feel like I've seen so many examples in sports and my career where people set certain goals and then either become bitter and consider themselves failures if they fail to achieve, flame out after the achieve their goal if the goals are set to low, or disappear if they achieve the goal and then aren't able to do what you've suggested.     Tiger could become an example of the first if he doesn't reach Jack's record.    David Duval is a good example of the latter.     And there are many sports teams who will have an objective to "make it to the Finals" and once they do then let down and lose - they've achieved their objective - and then fail to step up again in subsequent years.

Bottom line, though, is each of us are motivated and driven by something different, and if you're goal setting aligns with that then you have a chance to go far, but if the goals are set in a way that doesn't fit what really drives you then it isn't likely to be a success.      Rory seems fairly happy-go-lucky, and hopefully his approach will work great for him, as he's fun to watch!

[LovinItAll]

What did you expect Rory to say? Tiger's cut from a different cloth, and it was as much his father's projections for him as it is his projections for himself....maybe they end up being the same thing. Sitting around drinking a soda and thinking about the future, it's hard not to think about life's possibilities. Whether one creates goals or not is something else, of course, but Rory would only be human if he considered what it might mean if were ever regarded as one of the best golfer's ever (which would take winning tons of majors and tourneys),

[kw purp]

Win the Masters and make a ton of money would be my only goals.

[zipazoid]

Win. That would be my goal every time I would tee it up. Win the tournament.

Everything else will take care of itself.

[bamagrad03]

My goal would be to make sure I didn't get caught up (too much) in the business of golf, but rather enjoy the fact that I play the sport of golf. I think too many guys go through the grind of getting to the tour, and once they get there, lose perspective of what a wonderful opportunity they have.

At some point it becomes a job and a grind. I'd try to hold on to the fact that I get to play golf for a very good living for as long as possible. I think Keegan Bradley has exemplified this mentality, even though he already has a major under his belt.

And aside from that, I would have a goal to play my best golf, regardless of the scoreboard. What other guys do is out of my control. Play my best golf week in and week out, and let the chips fall where they may.

[lumpuckeroo]

I would have more of Rory's attitude than Tiger's, I would take it one tournament at a time and let the pieces fall were they might.  For me, I need goals that are a little more in reach and attempt to complete them a little at a time.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

Win. That would be my goal every time I would tee it up. Win the tournament.

Everything else will take care of itself.

Curtis Strange would make fun of you.  LOL

Originally Posted by lumpuckeroo

I would have more of Rory's attitude than Tiger's, I would take it one tournament at a time and let the pieces fall were they might.  For me, I need goals that are a little more in reach and attempt to complete them a little at a time.

It certainly takes arrogance to set your goal as being the best of all time in any endeavor.  But then if you make a damn good run at it or even reach it, the arrogance becomes justified.  Tiger has more than justified the reasonablility of his goal of beating Jack's major record.  I don't think Tiger's career will be judged by anyone, including himself, as a failure if he fails to reach 18.

And there is nothing wrong with NOT having the arrogance to have that goal of being the greatest, or in having a different approach to goals.  Tiger's way fits him.  Rory's way fits him.  It isn't a one-size-fits-all-world.