Goals for 2009

uberwolf

I thought this thread would have appeared by now. I haven't decided my own yet, thought this post may act as the sounding board

1. Join a club. Options currently Druids Heath, Killeen, and Elm Green.
2. Play and Practise consistenly.
3. Practise with a purpose.
4. Handicap Goal? the big one I guess. I'm not sure. Kind of chicken and egg, I want to be striking the ball consistently and with control. I'm beginning to enjoy the short game, the subtlety of it. I'm yet to play to my handicap, not to mind improving on it.
edit: 5. Get fit, fit for golf, and more generally.

What do you want out of golf and how are you going to go about it?

JCDUB

My main aims for golf this year is to enjoy it more.

Just the fresh air, the fact that I'm able to play, the good company etc.

I would like to feel a little less anger on the course due to ****e golf, so an improvement here (anger) would be highly appreciated, although I do expect to calm down a bit.

Handicap wise I would like to stay at 7, it's low enough for me but still high enough to allow me room for a sub-par round or two throughout the year.

1stuey1

uberwolf pm me i wanna give ya some info!

Rich1691

• my main goal is to play more at my local course. I am a member there and I don't make enough use out of it
• I also want to get fit, for the golf, and in general!
• I want to try and improve my putting, as at the moment that is a weak point in my game!

WHIP IT!

JCDUB wrote: »

My main aims for golf this year is to enjoy it more.

Just the fresh air, the fact that I'm able to play, the good company etc.

I would like to feel a little less anger on the course due to ****e golf, so an improvement here (anger) would be highly appreciated, although I do expect to calm down a bit.

Handicap wise I would like to stay at 7, it's low enough for me but still high enough to allow me room for a sub-par round or two throughout the year.

This is exactly my goal as well! Except, swap in 15 for my handicap.

kingshankly

1. enjoy my golf i am so looking forward to the summer to be able to get out without 5 layers on will be nice
2. get my handicap down from 18 to 12-15
3. get fit since giving up the gaa have noticed the pounds on. time to actually do something in the gym instead of bluffing and just sitting in the jaccuzi
4.represent the club in competitions.
5. vary my playing partners (usually stick to the same group)
6.play new courses were blessed in this country with fine courses most of i have yet to play

Myksyk

My first golf year last year saw me getting down from a provisional 21 to 13.0. This year coming i want to get down to 9.something. I'm practising and playing enough to achieve this i think but the proof of the pudding etc. Good to set the bar a little high for yourself I think.

spurscormac

Golf Related:
1. Join hometown club as distance member & gain official handicap.
2. Shoot below 100, then aim for below 95, then 90 before the end of 2009.

Non Golf related:
1. Ski a black slope.
2. Learn to surf - consistently standing, not just falling off after a second or two.
3. Generally get fit, and lose approx a stone of weight.

stockdam

To play once a week and to practice my short game more.

thewing

To break 100
To play as often as I can

mccutchie

Play more often, especially more links
Become more consistent
Play within myself instead of trying too hard
Break 80 again, as its been over 2 years since i last did it, and its really bugging me

Go and support the irish open, wherever that may be

neckedit

After a good few years out of the game, I joined a club this year and got my new handicap of 2, which kinda shocked me a bit, but never the less my main goal this year is to play to it and enjoy the game, As KingShankly said I would also like to take advantage of our many fantastic hidden gems. I hope you all succeed and surpass your goals:p

ShriekingSheet

Not a huge fan of setting goals but I have a few. At least it's good to have a record to look back on the year after the season is finished.

ShriekingSheet wants to...

Not take golf too seriously
Be great with wedges and putting
Get less point-ones back (nearly 20 in '08)
Reduce h'cap from 5
Play well in Junior and Barton Cup
Shoot close to par in a 36 hole Junior Scratch Cup
Break par in a major home-club competition

Paulusmaximus

the last few years ive consistently set myself the same goal each year and 2008 was the first time i acheived it and it is to break 80 every time i played. My highest score in 2008 was 78. Again, this will be my primary goal...

Mr. Larson

Goals for 2009:

• Play less competitions but concentrate more during the comps I do choose to play in. (I played a lot this year even when conditions were crap and I knew I was playing very badly and wouldn't score. Need to learn when to give it a rest, don't want to get as many 0.1's back next year. Got 15 0.1's back in 2008.
• Lower handicap further. 18 start of 2008, got down to 15 during summer, would like to get to about 11 or 12 but would take 13.
• Qualify for and compete in Club Matchplay competitions. 1st taste of these last year and loved the experience. I want more!
• Win a Medal competition. I've only ever won V-Par or Stableford comps. Would love to post a Gross round of low 80's or to be über ambitious, break 80! Done it casually twice but never in comp.
• Play more rounds where pick targets for every shot and concentrate fully on each shot. I seem always to go through mid round lapses which cost me a couple of strokes.
• Get more Birdies! Sounds obvious but I feel to get to the next level I need to get out of the mind-set of 2 putting for Par and try concentrate on holeing all my putts. I would like to avoid leaving any putts from inside 20 feet short.

PhilipMarlowe

Reduce handicap from 4.3 down to 3 or less.
Break par in a qualifying competition.
Win a medal.
Win golfer of the year (might as well aim high ).
Retain my claret jug on our November St. Andrews trip.
Play 6+ new courses in 2009

Blunder

Firstly, happy new year to all!

My goals for the new year are:

• To get to 8 or better with the old handicap. (Last year my aim was to get single figures from 13. Got to 9.5 so was within a whisker!)
• Get fit
• Try and swing the way I was over the Christmas holidays for the whole year.
• Impliment some of the ideas in Dr Bobs book,
• Compete in the club majors this year (Due to family and Holiday commitments over the last few years I havent Played in them)
• Produce scores when I have to (ie on a sunday in Competition and not on a Wednesday evening in Kells when I'm playing for a fiver!)
• Try and Keep stats from My rounds.
• Become more consistant with my short game
• Prepare pre-round as opposed to the usual 10 minute job.
• Use up the €50 euro that has been prepaid on the GUI card for our clubhouse bar!
• Enjoy the year!

arg

Currently have handicap of 14.6 - aiming to get that down to 10.
To do this I'll have to improve my putting (currently average about 36 per round). I've had moments of inspiration (had 27 putts in corballis a couple of weeks ago - felt I could do no wrong on the green) but need to build up the confidence by practicing the 2-5 footers regularly.

Really enjoying my golf at the moment (regardless of my score) - hope to be able to maintain this attitude through 2009.

Mister Sifter

Some good ones mentioned so far! I particularly like Paulusmaximus' one about not shooting over 80.

My general goals are to enjoy my golf, practice hard and shoot some good scores. My specific goals are:

- Not to shoot more than 80 (or less than 30 points in Stableford) in any competitive round
- Win something outright
- Shoot two rounds equal to or below my handicap in a 36 hole competition
- Birdie every hole on my home course in competition through the year

Sionnachster

Great thread OP and plenty to inspire, some of you guys listed some gems. I'll be back with some but for now I'd just like to be able to spell golff properly in 2009....

fatherbuzcagney

`goals for 2009 are to get from 15 h'cap to 10.
Also not to 'blow up' when in contention with a few holes left:eek:

pocketdooz

uberwolf wrote: »

I thought this thread would have appeared by now. I haven't decided my own yet, thought this post may act as the sounding board

1. Join a club. Options currently Druids Heath, Killeen, and Elm Green.
2. Play and Practise consistenly.
3. Practise with a purpose.
4. Handicap Goal? the big one I guess. I'm not sure. Kind of chicken and egg, I want to be striking the ball consistently and with control. I'm beginning to enjoy the short game, the subtlety of it. I'm yet to play to my handicap, not to mind improving on it.
edit: 5. Get fit, fit for golf, and more generally.

What do you want out of golf and how are you going to go about it?

Hi

Can you tell me something about Killeen ?

Is it not a bit much to be joining that as your first club ?

Price etc ?

Thanks

JCDUB

Paulusmaximus wrote: »

the last few years ive consistently set myself the same goal each year and 2008 was the first time i acheived it and it is to break 80 every time i played. My highest score in 2008 was 78. Again, this will be my primary goal...

Jebus Paulus that's fantastically consistent, well done:cool:

What you play off? (Just to make me feel a little better:D)

uberwolf

pocketdooz wrote: »

Hi

Can you tell me something about Killeen ?

Is it not a bit much to be joining that as your first club ?

Price etc ?

Thanks

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=82135&cat=all

pocketdooz

uberwolf wrote: »

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=82135&cat=all

Thanks - I thought the poster was refering to Killeen Castle

Icepickle

Over last 15 years (now mid 30's) have really only hacked around about 3/4 times a year with mates.
Joined a club late last year & have been given a handicap of 24.
Goals for 2009;

Find out my average distance per club

Play at least 36 rounds of golf (average 3 per month)

Break 100

Break 100 with a sub 50 front & back nine

Score a net par round or better in strokes (72)

Score a net par round or better in stableford (36)

Reduce Playing Handicap to 18

Par every hole on home course at least 3 times

Score at least 6 birdies

Break 90


I plan to review these & set higher targets as I achieve them.
Best of luck to all you guys in reaching your goals.
Happy New Year

seamus

I've always been dipping in and out of golf, but I played a lot more last year than I would normally play, think I got out for around 12 rounds in total (which shows how little I played before! ).

So the plan for this year is nice and simple:

Play more (twice/month minimum), Practice More = More Consistency = Play to 21 h/cap.

billy3sheets

Im starting the season off 12.8. Target is under 10.0 by end of September 2009.
I have some very specific goals & thoughts on how to achieve them:

Playing
1. Play at least 6 of our 7 Medals
2. Play Captains & Presidents day
3. Play at least 1 game every week from March to October, with max 4 weeks omission.
4. Play at least 6 other courses, with at least 3 new ones.

Scoring/Winning
1. Break 80 at least once by end April, once a month thereafter
2. Win July Medal 3rd year running
3. Get par count over 9 per round by end May
4. Get birdie count over 3 per round by end May

Tactics
1. Eliminate 3 putts
2. Eliminate duffed wedges
3. Eliminate OOBs on home course

In general I want to play smarter
1. Choose my club off the tee to suit the hole/conditions
2. Choose layups instead of going for it always
3. Choose my pitch/chip/wedge to suit the hole/lie

kagni

My only target is to improve my short game....
Eliminate 3 putts and
when I miss a green - get up and down at least 30% of the time.

Sammo13

main goal is to reduce my handicap. currently 6.5 (dropped 1.0 in 08), hopefully get to 5.0 or below. I was 12.0 in March 2006, but its getting hard as I feel like a well handicapped horse..

Another main goal is to win a JSC, been close but no cig..

Best of luck in 09 to all, its all about the putts, so spend time on the practice green..

Par72

I've been thinking for a while about mine. I guess now that I am actually writing them down it makes them real and I'm going to have to start putting the work in to achieve them.

• Get back on the Leinster Team
• Break the course record at my home club
• Practice my short game at least 3 hours a week

Actually if I do the last one the other two will probably fall into place.

markie4

My main aim is to go from 10.4 to single figures (9.4 will do, i'm not greedy)

Minor targets:
practise chipping & putting once per week
eliminate 3 putts
increase up and down stats to 50%
make Metro Cup team
play more competition golf (only managed 8 singles comps last year)

ShriekingSheet

Par72 wrote: »

I've been thinking for a while about mine. I guess now that I am actually writing them down it makes them real and I'm going to have to start putting the work in to achieve them.

• Get back on the Leinster Team
• Break the course record at my home club
• Practice my short game at least 3 hours a week

Actually if I do the last one the other two will probably fall into place.

Holy ****

irishtoffee

For me this year i am going to just enjoy the game and stop taking it so serious.

Mister Sifter

Interesting to read last week that Harrington has set himself 17 goals for the 2009 season.

The piece i read said that he did the same last year and achieved something like 9 of the 17.

He sets some acheivable goals, some tough goals, and some very tough.

Some are ones that he's very unlikely to achieve, but he has them in there so that he still has something to aim for no matter what.

I found it an interesting approach, and one i think might help myself.

PhilipMarlowe

I remember an interesting link between setting clear goals and achievement from my wife's mba course... I'll try and dig it up and post it here soon...

gorfield

Par72 wrote: »

I've been thinking for a while about mine. I guess now that I am actually writing them down it makes them real and I'm going to have to start putting the work in to achieve them.

• Get back on the Leinster Team
• Break the course record at my home club
• Practice my short game at least 3 hours a week

Actually if I do the last one the other two will probably fall into place.

Never reveal your goals. Ever.
The first one might be tricky as you know theres always 8 certs for the team and the rest of us slog it out for the other two spots!! The only one not available from last years team is paul who has turned pro. You might get my spot..........;)

ShriekingSheet

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Interesting to read last week that Harrington has set himself 17 goals for the 2009 season.

The piece i read said that he did the same last year and achieved something like 9 of the 17.

He sets some acheivable goals, some tough goals, and some very tough.

Some are ones that he's very unlikely to achieve, but he has them in there so that he still has something to aim for no matter what.

I found it an interesting approach, and one i think might help myself.

Yeah I read that. It was also interesting that he keeps his goals very much to himself, even after the season has finished. It's obviously a pressure/expectation management thing - kinda makes us look like muppets posting ours on the internet But I guess it's anonymous here so not the same.

I've encountered one or two guys recently who are very forthright with their goals. So much so that it'd be the second thing they say after meeting you (after "hello"). And these are lofty goals. Higher than any posted on this thread by a considerable amount. I just don't get why anyone would do it. I've never met a really good player who advertises their sky-high ambitions. I'll leave what I've posted here but other than that, my goals will be for my own personal analysis and I won't be discussing them with anyone.

ShriekingSheet

gorfield wrote: »

Never reveal your goals. Ever.

Freaky. I just posted the same thing.

ShriekingSheet

gorfield wrote: »

Never reveal your goals. Ever.
The first one might be tricky as you know theres always 8 certs for the team and the rest of us slog it out for the other two spots!! The only one not available from last years team is paul who has turned pro. You might get my spot..........;)

As a matter of interest, what kind of handicaps do the men's Leinster interpro team play off?

Par72

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

As a matter of interest, what kind of handicaps do the men's Leinster interpro team play off?

I'd imagine they are all certainly scratch or better.

Par72

gorfield wrote: »

Never reveal your goals. Ever.
The first one might be tricky as you know theres always 8 certs for the team and the rest of us slog it out for the other two spots!! The only one not available from last years team is paul who has turned pro. You might get my spot..........;)

And you assume I'm male? You needn't worry about your spot unless you've had a sex change recently!

ShriekingSheet

Par72 wrote: »

I'd imagine they are all certainly scratch or better.

I would have thought +1 might be the highest... but I could be wrong. I assume it's more to do with performance in the championships etc but i'd be interested to know the h'caps all the same.

If anyone knows let us know.

Par72 wrote: »

And you assume I'm male? You needn't worry about your spot unless you've had a sex change recently!

Jaysus. I assumed you were male too

madds

Par72 wrote: »

And you assume I'm male? You needn't worry about your spot unless you've had a sex change recently!

I've just had a quick look at your Profile there Par72 and noticed that some others have done the same recently...

The last 6 visitor(s) to this page were:

1. gorfield
2. Graeme1982
3. madds
4. Mat the trasher
5. pok90
6. seligd

gorfield

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

As a matter of interest, what kind of handicaps do the men's Leinster interpro team play off?

Last years team and their hcaps.

Shane lowry +4
Niall Kearney +3
Paul o hanlon +3
Andrew Hogan +3
Cian Curley +2
Eoin arthurs +1
Rory Mcnamara +1
Simon ward +3
Niall Gorey +3
Dara Lernihan +3

gorfield

Par72 wrote: »

And you assume I'm male? You needn't worry about your spot unless you've had a sex change recently!

The way the mens game is going it might be my only chance of success......:D:D

Par72

madds wrote: »

I've just had a quick look at your Profile there Par72 and noticed that some others have done the same recently...

Yeah, sorry lads, there's no pictures on there.

Myksyk

gorfield wrote: »

Last years team and their hcaps.

Shane lowry +4
Niall Kearney +3
Paul o hanlon +3
Andrew Hogan +3
Cian Curley +2
Eoin arthurs +1
Rory Mcnamara +1
Simon ward +3
Niall Gorey +3
Dara Lernihan +3

Just your average bunch of Sunday afternoon hackers then.

gorfield

Myksyk wrote: »

Just your average bunch of Sunday afternoon hackers then.

Thats a new benchmark for sarcasm...............

gerp

To hit the ball right to left for once
Go from 11 to single figures

Play a british open course and play in spain at least twice.

Myksyk

gorfield wrote: »

Thats a new benchmark for sarcasm...............

The pedant in me has to point out that I was being ironic rather than sarcastic.