Golf Tip of the Day - Goal Setting

As we approach the end of 2010, it’s time to set goals for the New Year. We should do this in all aspects of our life, but if you are passionate about your golf game, it’s really a great idea.

Let’s take the example of a 20 handicapper. Some people might be happy with dropping their handicap to 15 over a twelve month period. In reality, that would only be within the normal statistical fluctuation of a typical golfer’s scores. Consider this…the typical PGA Tour player is going to shoot a low round of 64 or 65 some time during the year, and under difficult conditions, may shoot a round or two in the 80s. That is essentially one shot per hole. The top players are more consistent and may have a narrower deviation.

With this in mind, the 20 handicapper can expect to shoot anywhere from 85 to 105 during the course of a year. Dropping down to a 15 handicap would only drop those figures from 80 to 100. In reality, dropping down to a 15 handicap only requires a few more scores in the low 80’s and a few less scores above 95. The golfer might get a little more consistent for a season through better putting, or better ball striking, but their overall game really shows limited improvement. The next year, they could be right back up to a 20 handicap if one area of their game falls apart. Therefore, why not be a bit more ambitious in your goal setting? You can be ambitious, but still realistic! I say you shoot for a 50% drop in your handicap.

To really drop your handicap by 50% or more, you have to show improvement in your entire game. To go from a 20 handicap to a 10 handicap will require you to break 80 a couple times, and shoot only a few scores in the 90s. Is this possible? Absolutely. As 12 year old, I dropped my handicap from 25 to 14. When I was 13, I went from 14 to 8, and when I was 14 I went from 8 to 4. After that, my handicap hovered from scratch to 3 for the balance of my amateur career. I plateaued due to lack of adequate instruction, as no one could ever claim I was lazy. I hit more balls than anyone I knew. Ok, so my handicap was dropping about 40% per year, but that was without any instruction. I just went out and played.

So how do you go about accomplishing this goal? You need to break things down in more detail.

First, you should set a goal of improved ball striking by the time the season begins in earnest. Here in Maryland, that is around mid-April. The weather beginning in mid-March is adequate for work on the full swing. Get yourself some instruction on the full swing, and start your practice. If you practice smartly, and keep accurate data, by the time May rolls around, you should already be hitting the ball better than the previous year.

Now its time focus on other areas of your game. In your first few rounds of the year, you should pay attention to your ball flight characteristics, where you are missing your tee shots, where you are missing the green, how many penalty shots you are accruing, how you are missing your putts, etc. If you can keep accurate data, you will learn your tendencies and what areas of your game need the most work. Then you can set goals for your putting, greens in regulation, etc.

If you are an avid golfer and you already keep detailed statistics, it is far easier to develop detailed goals for the upcoming season. Get yourself into this habit, and each year you will find you have the ability to improve, no matter how low your handicap is to start the year.

Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com