New Year’s Resolutions and Playing Better Golf

I’m not one to believe in New Year’s Resolutions but I do believe in goals. “What’s the difference,” you may ask? I believe the difference is found in reasons.

The fact is that most New Year’s Resolutions fail within the first 90 days. The million dollar question is WHY?

Because a date on the calendar is not a compelling reason to change your life. Lasting change will only occur when you find a compelling reason to do so. Resolutions are always driven by the calendar where as goals are driven by a desire to change your life…or golf game. Don’t wait for the calendar to tell you when new changes or goals are needed. Put them in place immediately upon discovering the need for change.

So how does this all apply to golf? My question to you is this, “What are your goals on the course this year?”

I certainly can’t tell you what goals to set but here are a couple helpful tips.

 1. Set goals based on process and not results. You can’t always control results but you can control process.
      – Poor Goal: I want to finally break 100 this year.
      – Better Goal: I will use my pre-shot routine on EVERY SHOT regardless of where my round is at.

 2. Set a mental goal to keep your mind sharp on the course.
      – Poor Goal: I will quit throwing clubs this year. (Throwing clubs is not the source of the problem, it’s the result.)
      – Better Goal: I will keep golf in proper perspective and realize it’s just a game. It is possible to have a good time regardless of how you play with the right attitude.

 3. Set practice goals to make the limited time you do have as effective as it can be.
      – Poor Goal: I’ll rapid fire hit as many balls as I can in the time I have available.
      – Better Goal: I will practice just like I am hitting shots on the course. Start from behind the ball, go through your pre-shot routine, see the shot, relax and then make the swing.

And now here is the most important part – write down the reasons you wish to play better golf this year. Are you looking to finally make strides towards your potential in this game? Are you looking to gain more enjoyment when on the course? Maybe you would like your behavior on the course to change in order to become a better role model for a younger player in your life? Whatever your reasons, be sure to write them down next to your goals. And remember, the calendar is not a compelling reason for change but something from deep within is.

A couple final tips on goals to help you make them effective this year.
 - Write them down – you can’t hit a target that doesn’t exist.
 - Read them often to commit your goals to memory.
 - Adjust them whenever necessary.

I’d love to hear some of your goals. Send me a reply and we’ll work through this year together.

Thanks for stopping by and check back soon.
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

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