Ambitions for 2017

Kevinmarkham

Happy New Year to everyone. So what are your golfing ambitions for 2017?

Do you have h'cap targets, do you want to get custom-fitted, improve a poor element of your game, play a specific golf course/s, visit the Open/Irish Open, take a golf holiday to Spain/Portugal/etc., get the latest Driver, or do you hope to meet the love of your life on the golf course??

It's for an IGM piece I'm writing so all golfing ambitions welcome!

one man clappin

To stop losing golf balls on every round that I play.

Seriously, I would love to get some consistency into my game where I know that I can shoot mid 30's every round.
Also want to play some of the marquee courses in Ireland, Mount Juliet, Carton, Druids Glen etc.

idle

I've done out a spread sheet for 2017 to see what needs improving. Headings include FIR, GIR, where the misses are etc and from the 1 round I've played it's obvious I need to get more pitches, chips and putts to the hole, so that's the goal.

Mantis Toboggan

My ambitions for 2017 are fairly straightforward, want to get the handicap down to single figures, break 80 in qualifying, possibly get fitted for clubs and play more links golf.

Armchair Andy

Might get a round in with Elise Lobb at some stage.
Failing that a sub 80 in a strokeplay :-)

rickis tache

pretty much as Tyson said. Single figure is the goal. so to get there plenty of short game practice 3 hours a week. long game an hour a week and play at least 45 holes a week until April then 54 in the summer.currently play off 12.8.

Macker1

rickis tache wrote:

pretty much as Tyson said. Single figure is the goal. so to get there plenty of short game practice 3 hours a week. long game an hour a week and play at least 45 holes a week until April then 54 in the summer.currently play off 12.8.

45 holes a week early in the year will be some going given the weather/conditions. Great deal of dedication needed. Having said that I would imagine that it would pay off bigtime come the summer. Best of luck.

Mantis Toboggan

rickis tache wrote: »

pretty much as Tyson said. Single figure is the goal. so to get there plenty of short game practice 3 hours a week. long game an hour a week and play at least 45 holes a week until April then 54 in the summer.currently play off 12.8.

Best of luck man, I'll see ya down on.9.4

Roll on 2017

millerj

Armchair Andy wrote: »

Might get a round in with Elise Lobb at some stage.
Failing that a sub 80 in a strokeplay :-)

Feelings hurt and all that......obviously I am a poor second best so!!

FixdePitchmark

Set a very ambitious target in 2016 of 2.5 - and failed , so will set targets in 2017 with a little more trepidation this year.

But still want to be somewhat ambitious. Have a bit more on outside of golf - but I have more time than most for practice. I actually enjoy practice and am honest about what it takes with myself to improve - I find golf very very hard. I have times I feel like I can pay off 5 and other times I'd be lucky to be off 16.

Over last few years - seen that I could win off 6 - hang in there off 5 and was not competitive at 4. There is a big difference in a lad off 4 pushing say 3 and a lad off 6. It sounds small , but when you try it and see lads at that level it is eye opening how average you are versus them. All relative as they say.

I'm not entirely sure a handicap target is for me at this point. Let the handicap look after itself. But try improve in my weaker parts of my game and see how that goes. Chasing a handicap year in year out can become your raison d'etre - but there is way more to golf. You can play great golf too in team events and the likes of scrambles for example. I noticed in 2016 even when I wasn't playing great - I tended to do well in these and it was a nice distraction from the 0.1 game.

Game wise - specifically - I've never been great with wedges - tend to be looking for full shots all the time and had so many doubles last year from 100 yards or less out - that is sort of 18 handicap stuff.
My long game and mid game has got me to where I am.
My putting from distance is very good - my short putting could improve but tends to come good in season.

So from a game perspective I want to improve wedge play and get actual more practice and coaching in this area.

So with all above considered - the specific target is I want a par round in competition, I know to get this I will have to play out of my skin - but still feel I can do it. It is really sort of 6/7 shot better than I can do at present so a great target.

This means - I'd like to pick up a few wins - but I tend to be more competitive in tough conditions on a links in wind - sort of when stars align.

Definitely will play abroad this year, looking like Portugal in October.

And every year want to play more links courses. Finished with east coast, but looking forward to a day out in The Island and European club early enough in 2017, get last of winter rates - as summer rates are crazy.

I hope to get fitter this year , but say that every year - but have started something here. I'm not a big believer in it helping my game - but it tends to be something you have to agree on with golfers.

Going to teach the Father in Law golf , had him out twice and he loved it. He could do with something like golf in his retirement. He is a 100 mile an hour lad - and the contrast in golf is interesting for him.

I know I want to play more courses in Ireland - but will hold off on plans here.

Have had this thing in my head for a while that I would like to play in Scotland or England - but used a good bit of leave for golf in 2016 and not sure how this would work yet.


So way too much info again - but to sum up.

Just enjoy myself.
Have a par round.
See a few more Links courses.
Improve my weak areas.


But I could easily post something in March - I want to get to scratch or some other crazy idea.

But I know that would be crazy - a good friend of mine once said to me - she was happy in life that she had realised her limitations. When she said it - I wasn't sure if I was enlightened , or a little bit of me died inside.

paulos53

My ambition for the year is simply to play more golf than ever before. 100 rounds in 2017 is the aim

Rikand

paulos53 wrote: »

My ambition for the year is simply to play more golf than ever before. 100 rounds in 2017 is the aim

I'm hoping for the same....


.....minus one of those zero's

CalamariFritti

My game has come on a good bit over the last 2 years due to an improved swing. Nothing fantastic but improved all the same and it will keep getting better simply by sticking with it. So I'm actually quite happy with where my game is going, except ... for my short game. Its holding me back and I have been on about it here before. But have I done enough or even anything about it? No, I have not. I love playing but practice is not my strength.
So my ambition is to overcome that laziness and tidy up my short game before April/May. Single figures and breaking 80 will naturally happen then.

Kingswood Rover

Play as much as possible, enjoy it, make more friends, ah me ring, get to single figs, again, win the captains, beat tulfarris any time we meet them in interclub and see Rovers do the double, win the Champions league and hammer the Bohez.....ah ballix sorry folks cold turkey till the footie season starts, back on message, to try and regularly play competitive rounds without doubles would be something that i will be working on, better course management after bad tee shots is the key to this ambition i reckon.

BigChap1759

overachieved against my targets for last year and am setting an ambitious target of getting down to cat 1.

In order to do this I am going to not buy any clubs and instead spend money on lessons in search of a far more consistent swing which I'll need to achieve this goal.

I'm also looking to play 40 qualifying rounds although I'm not sure how achievable this will be.

I'd also like to try and get some of the great western links under my belt if at all possible - have half a mind on trying the Atlantic coast challenge as well.

Curly head

Ambition for year ahead is simple. Hope I can enjoy every time I Tee it up on that 1st Tee regardless of where it might be. Enjoy the odd good round n take the bad ones on the chin knowing that there'll be a lot of them!!

dennyire

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This....enjoy the golf,,,,,,be thankful we can all get out there, high and low handicappers....im a high handicap, might improve a shot or two during the year. might win a catogry, might win a couple of twos prizes...but know what....? im joining for another year again and by jaysus i will love every minute.....`Iv lost a good friend during 2016 that used to play the odd round with me. I would give my right arm now to be teeing it up on the first with him , and him saying.... playing a top flite prov 1 with a blue dot

dazza161989

To play more this year , my handicap has crept up to 6 so hopefully in 2017 I can get it back down around 3/4

Wichita Lineman

I have a big year ahead of me as Captain at Moate Golf Club so my ambitions are to have a good year and to make sure I take the time to enjoy it while playing plenty of golf. I wouldn't like to be heading into 2018 thinking the year had just slipped by.

ronjo

Unexpectedly got down to single digits last year so my aim for 2017 is to try and stay there

Putt it there

millerj wrote: »

Feelings hurt and all that......obviously I am a poor second best so!!

Id give ye both to an human organ farm just to get a smile from paige spiranac

mike12

Get the bad rounds into the 30s more often.
Got over the chipping yips in 2016 but the long game suffered a bit.
Down in 3 at worst from inside a 100 yards should see the handicap tumble in 2017.

Webbs

Dont know if its necessarilly an ambition but I am going to take the plunge and get lessons for the first time in probably 30 years, though I did take time from playing for a big chunk of that.
Nervous and excited to see the change. So I guess the ambition is to take on board the changes and see an improvement to my game.

Senecio

I'll be leaving the country in March after 5 glorious years playing golf in Ireland. I've enjoyed my home club (Roganstown) and all of the away golf I've played at many courses around the country. My ambitions are all around this move.

1. Get a job and some disposable income after settling in NZ
2. Find a new home club, 3 pre-requisites (affordability, enjoyable/challenging layout and good atmosphere amongst the members)
3. Get to paying golf. Can't really set a HCP target as they operate a different system (similar to Australia and the US with course slope). Maintaining around 5/6 would be ideal.

slingerz

Get to Single figures. Currently off 11. Going to be tough as i'll miss most of the summer in 2017!

BigChap1759

BigChap1759 wrote: »

overachieved against my targets for last year and am setting an ambitious target of getting down to cat 1.

In order to do this I am going to not buy any clubs and instead spend money on lessons in search of a far more consistent swing which I'll need to achieve this goal.

I'm also looking to play 40 qualifying rounds although I'm not sure how achievable this will be.

I'd also like to try and get some of the great western links under my belt if at all possible - have half a mind on trying the Atlantic coast challenge as well.

So my resolution about spending no money on clubs lasted 3 days.......:o

Bloody sales :rolleyes:

RoadRunner

BigChap1759 wrote: »

So my resolution about spending no money on clubs lasted 3 days.......:o

Bloody sales :rolleyes:

srixon irons?

FixdePitchmark

Well done Bigchap - quickest resolution break ever. :P:D

Was out today - first ball of year massive OTT almost missed ball and hit it OOB

Also - very unfit too. Feeling the break.

Vinny-Chase

I started playing last year and my handicap is 28. Goal this year is to hit a ball straight! Slice is KILLING me. Broke 100 a few weeks ago, so at least the number is moving in the right direction...once

Michael Henchard

I play off 18. I hit the ball really well and play to it just fine but until last year my short game was rubbish. I finally did something about it last year and practiced chipping and putting all year. The result was astounding and I found that I had no clue how to putt until last year - despite putting lessons - (although typically I lost something in my long game for the summer! - now fixed). I didn't get enough competitive rounds in either to lower my handicap so that's the aim this year. i will continue to practice short game in mid week and hopefully get plenty of comps in on the weekend. The aim is to get down to 12 this year. THat seems like a big jump but I already hit the ball like a 9/10 handicap player so cleaning up the short game should bring down scores naturally. There's also more room for improvement in the short game.

I am also targeting getting back to winning a comp or two this year and to feature in one of the clubs majors - I featured in Captains last year and was well placed after the initial 18 until fading in the evening 9 with bad weather.

Anyway, goals:
Get up and down from inside 20-30 yards
Hit more greens from 120 in
Make 50% putts inside 10 feet
Handicap down to 12
Win Competition
Feature in Club Major

Michael Henchard

For 5/6 years I have had a reallly good long game but my short game was a joke - literally my mates would laugh at it. I finally did a lot of practice last year after going back over a round where I figured out if I had gotten down in 3 from inside 20 yards in the round I would have had 45 points. This was not an unusual round for me. The results of practicing / learning about your game are amazing. I also found I really enjoyed it once the results started to flow and started to look forward to practicing more than playing as it became a challenge and I learned something new every time I went out. One thing that helped greatly on putting was a large putting mat for the house as I dont have carpets. This allowed me to figure out technique while messing about at home and then being way more efficient in practice time on a green to see what worked well with proper pace. Figuring out what you are doing wrong in terms of technique is key as if you go up to a green practicing a bad technique you're unlikely to get much better. there seems to be plenty of ways of chipping and putting and not all pros do it the same - find whats comfortable for you - I read the two Stan Utley books a few years ago but I didnt really get them. It was only when I started thinking about what I was doing wrong last year and practice led to continual improvements that I realised I ended up in the place he was talking about. Everyone is probably different though - my major problem was thinking too much about the back swing when it is irrelevant if you just use your instinct - figuring this out for both chipping and putting led to pace control and I started making tons of putts and my chipping got way better (though intend to work on this in a big way next year). Anyway good luck dude

Rikand

Michael Henchard wrote: »

I play off 18. I hit the ball really well and play to it just fine but until last year my short game was rubbish. I finally did something about it last year and practiced chipping and putting all year. The result was astounding and I found that I had no clue how to putt until last year - despite putting lessons - (although typically I lost something in my long game for the summer! - now fixed). I didn't get enough competitive rounds in either to lower my handicap so that's the aim this year. i will continue to practice short game in mid week and hopefully get plenty of comps in on the weekend. The aim is to get down to 12 this year. THat seems like a big jump but I already hit the ball like a 9/10 handicap player so cleaning up the short game should bring down scores naturally. There's also more room for improvement in the short game.

I am also targeting getting back to winning a comp or two this year and to feature in one of the clubs majors - I featured in Captains last year and was well placed after the initial 18 until fading in the evening 9 with bad weather.

Anyway, goals:
Get up and down from inside 20-30 yards
Hit more greens from 120 in
Make 50% putts inside 10 feet
Handicap down to 12
Win Competition
Feature in Club Major

Michael Henchard wrote: »

For 5/6 years I have had a reallly good long game but my short game was a joke - literally my mates would laugh at it. I finally did a lot of practice last year after going back over a round where I figured out if I had gotten down in 3 from inside 20 yards in the round I would have had 45 points. This was not an unusual round for me. The results of practicing / learning about your game are amazing. I also found I really enjoyed it once the results started to flow and started to look forward to practicing more than playing as it became a challenge and I learned something new every time I went out. One thing that helped greatly on putting was a large putting mat for the house as I dont have carpets. This allowed me to figure out technique while messing about at home and then being way more efficient in practice time on a green to see what worked well with proper pace. Figuring out what you are doing wrong in terms of technique is key as if you go up to a green practicing a bad technique you're unlikely to get much better. there seems to be plenty of ways of chipping and putting and not all pros do it the same - find whats comfortable for you - I read the two Stan Utley books a few years ago but I didnt really get them. It was only when I started thinking about what I was doing wrong last year and practice led to continual improvements that I realised I ended up in the place he was talking about. Everyone is probably different though - my major problem was thinking too much about the back swing when it is irrelevant if you just use your instinct - figuring this out for both chipping and putting led to pace control and I started making tons of putts and my chipping got way better (though intend to work on this in a big way next year). Anyway good luck dude

When I read these two posts, I thought you were replying to yourself, but then I realised it was the guy above you

Also, Donald Farfrae thinks that posters should use the enter key for easier reading

Armchair Andy

Putt it there wrote:

Id give ye both to an human organ farm just to get a smile from paige spiranac

Would a deer smile not suffice to you?;-)

ballyk

After a couple of years of reducing my handicap 2016 was the first year when my handicap went the wrong direction (15 to 16) so I would hope to stop it going up first of all or get it moving in the right direction again.

I am also expecting to play my 100th course in Ireland this year, I'm currently at either 98 or 99 so this one should be achievable barring injury!

Finally I'm hoping that we have a successful year in the Boards society and defend the Ryder Jug against the REPS. It would also be nice to earn my way onto the team by rights rather than get on it as Captain!

BigChap1759

RoadRunner wrote: »

srixon irons?

Nike method putter with upgraded Champ grip - €61 new! What's the worst that could happen.....

tonc76

Dropped from 17.7 to 10.5 last year so single figures is the aim this year.

Make the most of 4 lessons in Fota that Mrs. Tonc got me for Christmas.

Learn how to properly operate the new Powakaddy trolley that I bought myself!

Get a few rounds in on a West Coast USA trip in April

benny79

My goals for 2017

Im not going to say get my HC down cause I am still yet to do this and think its in my head at this stage, so play more golf (as hardly played last year due to injury) and sort out my chipping.. cant chip at all and its killing me but I think a day of practise will get the confidence back.. and the handicap will look after itself..

I really would like to win a comp at my home course as have had a couple of seconds..This is my main aim..

Prastise more and keep the lessons going...Espeacially on short game..

I am also going to the Open in Liverpool with a mate this year so cant wait for that!! has always been on my to do list

Garrigai

Kingswood Rover wrote: »

Play as much as possible, enjoy it, make more friends, ah me ring, get to single figs, again, win the captains, beat tulfarris any time we meet them in interclub and see Rovers do the double, win the Champions league and hammer the Bohez.....ah ballix sorry folks cold turkey till the footie season starts, back on message, to try and regularly play competitive rounds without doubles would be something that i will be working on, better course management after bad tee shots is the key to this ambition i reckon.

Come on the Hoops. Is it February 24th yet?

A consistent 18 holes would be nice.

Dbu

tonc76 wrote: »

Dropped from 17.7 to 10.5 last year so single figures is the aim this year.

Make the most of 4 lessons in Fota that Mrs. Tonc got me for Christmas.

Learn how to properly operate the new Powakaddy trolley that I bought myself!

Get a few rounds in on a West Coast USA trip in April

Wow thats some drop in a year, well done....can you share the secret? practice?

tonc76

Dbu wrote: »

Wow thats some drop in a year, well done....can you share the secret? practice?

Change of course from Palmerstown Stud which is very punishing for wayward shots to Youghal GC and finally managed to put rounds together without scratches . Have been able to play lots more golf since the move too

titlebearer

My aspirations for the year are as follows:
1. Play more golf... 9 to 5 working hours Monday to Friday and a young child have curbed my golfing aspirations for the last year. Pick 1 day a week and stick to it.
2. Be realistic... If I'm not playing well I shouldn't get overly disappointed. Its a game to enjoyed.
3. Stop getting ahead of myself... Counting how many shots I need and then flaking shots OTB. I'm guilty.
4. Be happy with the clubs I have!!! Too often I get to May and think " This driver isn't working for me".. buying a new driver and 6 weeks later trying to flog it second hand, and going back to my original driver which is now working AMAZING!
5. Don't worry about winning competitions or dropping handicap... If I can stop getting ahead of myself and all of the points above, Ill win something and my handicap will fall..

dan_ep82

Get my HC back and play some comps.

Get lessons. Moved to a course where the pro I got lessons from is now based so should make it do able this year.

Already had a great round of striking followed by a can't hit the damn ball round in the last month so it's a must at this stage.

Dero123

Mine is to get to single figures and stay there, 1.4 to go to get there

Damo 2k9

Soooo im a really long time lurker around here, thought id post!

Played and got lessons when I was younger, about 13-14 id say, 22 now and decided to get back into it!
1. Become more consistent in ball striking, my technique goes out the window halfway through my swing so I need to concentrate a lot harder.
2. Become a member and get my first handicap ever.
3. Play in a couple of competitions.
4. Make more friends through golf, ive found playing with better golfers really helps me improve different parts of my game through small tips!
5. Play as much as I can, roll on summer!

Becoming a member on Friday up in Hollystown, so really looking forward to getting the ball rolling this year!

mike12

benny79 wrote: »

My goals for 2017

Im not going to say get my HC down cause I am still yet to do this and think its in my head at this stage, so play more golf (as hardly played last year due to injury) and sort out my chipping.. cant chip at all and its killing me but I think a day of practise will get the confidence back.. and the handicap will look after itself..

I really would like to win a comp at my home course as have had a couple of seconds..This is my main aim..

Prastise more and keep the lessons going...Espeacially on short game..

I am also going to the Open in Liverpool with a mate this year so cant wait for that!! has always been on my to do list

Was in the same boat with the chipping and 2 small things that worked for me.
Learn how to use the bounce, basically the bottom of the club hits/brushes the ground not the leading edge.
You can't duff it doing this.
Keep the right shoulder moving thru the shot, if it stops the head passes out the hands and nothing good happens after that.

benny79

mike12 wrote: »

Was in the same boat with the chipping and 2 small things that worked for me.
Learn how to use the bounce, basically the bottom of the club hits/brushes the ground not the leading edge.
You can't duff it doing this.
Keep the right shoulder moving thru the shot, if it stops the head passes out the hands and nothing good happens after that.

Probably a stupid question but how did you learn how to use the bounce? with lessons or you tube vids?

My chipping is that bad I duffed 4 chips from just of the green on 1 hole shocking stuff..

FixdePitchmark

benny79 wrote: »

Probably a stupid question but how did you learn how to use the bounce? with lessons or you tube vids?

My chipping is that bad I duffed 4 chips from just of the green on 1 hole shocking stuff..

Benny how many hours a week have you practiced ?

What I did to improve was hit way more wedge shots in practice.

Rikand

benny79 wrote: »

Probably a stupid question but how did you learn how to use the bounce? with lessons or you tube vids?

My chipping is that bad I duffed 4 chips from just of the green on 1 hole shocking stuff..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyXM7jpJmnI

Kevinmarkham

CalamariFritti wrote: »

My game has come on a good bit over the last 2 years due to an improved swing. Nothing fantastic but improved all the same and it will keep getting better simply by sticking with it. So I'm actually quite happy with where my game is going, except ... for my short game. Its holding me back and I have been on about it here before. But have I done enough or even anything about it? No, I have not. I love playing but practice is not my strength.
So my ambition is to overcome that laziness and tidy up my short game before April/May. Single figures and breaking 80 will naturally happen then.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Very useful stuff.

I asked my wife to pick a number between 2 and 46 and she picked 13 (I don't think she's ever quite got over BOD's thighs).

CalamariFritti is number 13 on this occasion so I've got a 2 ball with a buggy for Macreddin that I'll send on to you.

Cheers

Rikand

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Very useful stuff.

I asked my wife to pick a number between 2 and 46 and she picked 13 (I don't think she's ever quite got over BOD's thighs).

CalamariFritti is number 13 on this occasion so I've got a 2 ball with a buggy for Macreddin that I'll send on to you.

Cheers

Your wife needs to get on the Robbie Henshaw train

CalamariFritti

And of course 13 is my lucky number, too. Except for the fact that it never won me anything. More my declared lucky number than my actual lucky number. Until now. Extend my thanks to your wife please. And thank you, too, of course!