2023 Golfing Goals

Kiith

So its that time of year again folks, when we set out our golfing goals for the coming year. Are you planning to hit a single digit handicap? Regularly shoot under 90? Make it on the tour?

I had some pretty lofty goals last year, and were probably a bit unrealistic given i didn't get to play as often as i'd like. New baby kind of limits your time to play, never mind practice. So i plan to pretty much just copy my goals from last year, as i have more time to actually work on my game now. Going through a game improvement package with a local pro, and its been great so far. Haven't had much time to actually practice what he's telling me, given the weather and holidays, but can definitely see my improving in the Spring. So, with that being said...

• Get down to single digits this year. Currently 12.5, but i can definitely see the path to single digits.
• Win at least once in my club competitions this year, and play some matchplay rounds.
• Win a boards event, and make it onto the Jug team.
• Compete for the trophy in our annual Enniscrone trip. Missed it the last two years (baby and then Covid), so can't wait to go this year.
• Play Tralee, Ballybunion and at least one other top tier course.
• Stop constantly losing balls on my home course. Think i've only ever gone 1 round without losing a ball.
• Not so much a goal, but something i'd like to do if i can afford it is to fix the gaps in my bag (Driver, 3w and then 4i currently), replace my putter, regrip my driver and 3w, and if i can afford it, replace my irons. Will see how 2023 goes though.

Main ones are Enniscrone and being competitive in the boards soc this year. Hope to hit the group running in Corbalis in February 👍️

callaway92

Main Goal

Get Handicap Index below 6.5: Currently 6.9 which included a Nett 64 (-7) in my last competition of the year which skewed my index a bit. So I think anything below 6.5 is a realistic and fair target

Other Goals:

Take part properly in Boards society (Clare can be awkward but should be able to commit the time this year)

Genuinely practice more (have X amount of hours per month in my head): I've been playing a lot but making adjustments on the course mostly. Need to apply practice in the designated areas first I think

plumber77

Main Goal

Decrease my handicap from 6.7 towards 5 hopefully. Last year was the 1st year I made any significant move with my handicap after years of being in the 8 to 9 range.

Put a lot of that down to speed training and a significant gain in distance and also not being too cagey with my course management. In terms of consistency if was not my best year but in terms of scoring I had 2 75s with are my best ever scores.

Next year I'd like to shoot in the 70s more often and let that become more the norm than the exception. Possibly will be a few equipment upgrades in there too.

Looking forward to get cracking in 2023. Adding a bit of golf specific strength work to the mix this year too so interested to see what that brings to the course.

higster

Love this…opposite end of scale compared to above posters…

1. Break 90 for let’s say 20%+ of rounds (this will need lessons and practice, only managed it once in 2022 but damn close so often)
2. Get HCI to <18 (currently 20)
3. Win a society and a club comp
4. Win the annual end of year round with 3 buddies and bring the cup back home
5. Play at least one of Tralee/Ballb/Old Head

TrueDub

I'm starting back into golf after 12+ years away - life, including children, got in the way. So for 2023 I want to

1. Actually play more golf. I do a lot of thinking about it, reading about it, watching videos etc. I want to actually get onto the course and play. The blocker for me has been playing on my own (I don't really enjoy it).
2. To solve that blocker, I've joined a club, so that I get a proper handicap (tool to measure improvement) and can have some company when playing competition rounds at least. I want to get into club life and make proper use of my membership.
3. Get lessons. This is on my plan for early spring.
4. Practice what I learn from the lessons.
5. Try not to be such an equipment junkie. The clubs I have aren't great (20+ years old) but they'll do fine while I'm re-learning the game, and updating them can be a goal for the future.
6. Play some of the Boards society events, and enjoy it.

spacecoyote

Last year was a positive one in terms of golf goals, so hoping to kick on again this year.

Get fitter and stronger and look to increase average driver distance by 20 yards (have done some sessions with a golf specific personal trainer. Combine it with superspeed and should come good I hope)

Get a lesson or 2 in to keep the technique tidy.

Target an index of 5.4 or better (the old class 1 range)

Win a boards outing and qualify for the jug.

Tick off some more courses from the list (boards should help with that)

Maybe get some golf in the Med in, never played over there.

Enjoy outings with family and friends over the year.

almostover

Bought my first home in Dec 2021 and my golf in 2022 suffered at the expense of DIY projects. Handicap went from 9.1 to 10.4 as a result. My lowest ever index was 7.9 in 2020 and my target is to get back to an index of less than 8.5. With that in mind my goals are as follows:

1. Take at least 5hrs of lessons over the season to work on the weaknesses identified by my use of Arccos in 2022. Namely driving accuracy and short game.

2. Play at least 30 counting rounds. Last year's total was 26.

3. Do a proper equipment check / gapping / fitting with a pro. Bought irons with a 'custom fit' by McGuirks last year and I was underwhelmed by it. Ended up selling the irons at the end of the season and buying a 2nd hand set.

4. Spend 2 hours per week minimum on practice. Split 50/50 between long and short game. I live 10 mins from a good driving range that allows hitting off the grass in dry conditions but I live 35 mins from my club with has a decent short game area. That will be the challenge.

5. Accept that I've zero control over my score in any given round. At my desired handicap I could shoot anywhere from 72 to 92 on any given day. The key is to shift the average down.

GandhiwasfromBallyfermot

Only goal for this year is to find a regular 4 ball or just some mates to play with. Joined a club last year and played with whoever was on the timesheet for the Sunday comps. Going to make a proper effort to turn some of that into a regular playing group.

RoadRunner

• Help deliver another successful year for the society.
• Make the jug team through good consistent play.
• Win back the jug for the boards side.
• Side quest - shoot level par round.

token56

I'm relatively new to this forum but hoping to join the boards society this year.

Last year was my first year of playing consistent golf which saw my HCI go from a high of 16.1 to 13.2 at the moment. I'm setting myself some very adventurous goals but why not aim high.

• Get my HCI below 10
• Win a medal in my local club
• Win one of our matchplay competitions (last year I got to one final and one semi final)
• Strong performance in our Captains Prize (Joint 3rd after day one last year and blew up on day two)
• Maybe represent our club in an interclub comp, depending on time requirements, and being selected of course.

Motivator

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120058809#Comment_120058809

I had a similar problem when I joined my club down in Cork. When I qualified for it, I regularly played the long handicap and played with the same 3 guys regularly enough. Then that progressed to playing with one of them in the 4ball with mates of theirs and then it progressed to joining in a WhatsApp group with 30 guys. Now what happens is a few guys book a line at the weekend and then puts it in the WhatsApp group and it’s first come first served. A great way to get 16 or 20 guys out playing every weekend and everyone mixes there’s no cliques. If you can, try and go down this route if possible.

my own goals this year

• Practice 2 nights per week for minimum one hour and short game only
• win the scratch cup
• get to 3 handicap (currently 6)

coillcam

1. Weekly practice
2. Drop to single figures from 11.6.
3. Break 80.
4. Shoot consistently low 80s at home.
5. Make 4 birdies in a round.
6. Make an eagle putt (I've holed out from 60 yards but rarely threatened any of my eagle putts)
7. Birdie every hole at home.
8. Two consecutive rounds with nothing worse than bogey.
9. Use the stand bag more often, especially 9 holes.
10. Get clubhead speed over 110+mph (low 100s atm).
11. Play links golf multiple times (I actually played for the first time yesterday and have the bug now).
12. Play abroad (will be tricky but I'll leave it in)
13. Win a Sunday comp.
14. Place in a club major.
15. Play on an inter-club team.
16. Have fun, socialize and enjoy the game.
17. Continue with swing lessons and learning. Try another coach.
18. Short game clinic (Rafleski or Peltz).
19. Reduce my overswing tendency (My shoulders/torso easily rotate beyond 90 degrees rather than my arms folding over).

I finished 2022 with all of my recent counting rounds in the 80s, clustered mostly at 84-86. Even playing a new course recently I had an 86 with quad and triple bogeys on the back 9 (Opened that round with a 9-hole PB too). I'm getting more GIRs and better off the tee. It feels like my shot selection and misses are better while ball striking is on the uptick. A new 3i which I'm still getting used to looks to be a great tee option - poor/mediocre strikes are very playable and a decent one is brilliant for positioning.

Ultimately it'll come down to consistently playing and practicing with a few lessons/tweaks in between. My lifestyle allows for that now and I'm happy to commit the time as I really enjoy the grind. Not adding anything related to gear or fitting as I'm a bit of a gear pervert so it's hard to resist shiny things!

I really enjoy reading these and coming back to them after a few months. Looking forward to the year ahead and how it turns out.

willabur

Always a good exercise

2023 goals

• HC to 6
• Birdie every hole at Corballis
• Play more interclubs
• Win club matchplay tournament

benny79

I've a few weird ones this year

1. Go a year without a lesson (I get way to many)
2. Win a medal
3. Win GOTY with boards
4. Break 90 regularly
5. Get back in my fitness (haven't trained in 6 months! longest Ive ever gone!)

I complete it all and it be a great year 😂

Frisbee

Keeping it simple this year.

Get HCI down to 11.5. Currently at 13.7.

Get away for a weekend with a few mates either to Sligo (Enniscrone/Carne) or Rosapenna.

dan_ep82

New baby in October along with the weather means I've only played a handful of times since and won't likely improve a whole lot for a while so no lofty goals.

Currently drifted out to 9.8 from a low of 8.8, if I can keep it below 12 I'll consider it a win.

Would love to have my week of opens in the middle of the year aswell but I imagine this might be spread out and cut down from the usual.

The Guru 123

I see a lot of comments here about practicing more which is great but I’d advise anyone to invest some time in learning how to practice. There’s a lot of information out there on this topic but Adam Young is great. Either his books or his podcast (the sweet spot). Think he has a website too.

Few little practice tips I’ve learned over the years:

if you’re making a technical change really focus as much as possible on the new movement and after every 5 balls step away and take a break for a minute or so to refocus. Very hard to focus correctly enough to make a change when hitting anymore.

Other than that you want to mix up or use “random practice” as much as you can. So don’t hit 10 driver and then 10 7 irons all at the same target. Hit every 2nd one and mix up the targets.

Use feedback from your sessions, if you’re not striking it well it’s either ground contact, face contact or poor face/swing path match up. Determine which one it is and incorporate some drills next time to fix this. Adam Young is great for drills on this.

try turn your practice into a game as much as you can. Makes it more interesting and adds pressure.

Examples of games:

Driving take 10 balls and your 2 main driving clubs. Mark out narrow fairway and see how many drives you can put in this fairway switching clubs each shot. Can add more complexity to this by punishing yourself more for missing with the shorter club etc.

Par 18 is a great short game practice game. 9 different chips and see how many you get up and down. 18 being par.

I think it’s very important with chipping to vary the shots you’re hitting as much as possible.

Finally a game/drill I love for putting is give yourself maybe a 6 foot putt and set up a gate about halfway between ball and hole. Gate should be just wide enough for ball to go through. See how many balls out of 10 you can get through the gate and in the hole. If you can it shows you’re starting the putt on line which is huge for making putts. This can be a very frustrating one!

Rikand

Play at least 20 counting rounds of golf and trim a little bit off my handicap (current 6.2)

If I got to 5.x and stayed there, that would be amazing :)

billy3sheets

Starting 2023 with new fitted irons, so coupled with a fairly recent lesson I just want to play a few rounds to see what's working and get lessons to fix what isn't.

Currently driving and putting well so main focus area for improvement is pitching from 30-80 yards.

I want to shoot mid 80s as my regular score so that should get my HI down to about 10 from current 13.5. I'd be happy with that by end of 2023.

No idea what wins will pop out so I never set them as goals. Just plan to be playing well going into the big comps and hope a few putts drop.

Plan to play loads, including inter club and society and casual with family and friends.

Hopefully a golf holiday in Portugal in October.

Bring it on! 😀

coillcam

@The Guru 123 - spot on about practicing smartly or with as close to competition conditions as possible. We can all hit 100 balls on autopilot or hit the same chip from a perfect lie to the same pin. One tip I saw from Schauffele on challenging the short game was to use one ball and one shot to mimic a real hole. He throws the ball all around the short game area and tries to get to leave himself a gimme or makeable put each time. Sketchy lies, bunker downslope etc. Another variable was to use a tee as the target/pin and place it in as $h!tty of a place as possible on the green. Or at least varying positions with the same goal.

If I'm not working on something specific at the range I'll often try to mimic my home course's 18 holes. I'll hit all of my tee shots and full approaches as I've a fair idea of the distances. The other one I'll do is think of my 14 drives and try to put the ball in the proper location (perfect or best miss). Then score with 1 point for a good ball, 0 for a safe miss and -1 for trouble/bad. I might hit 12x Driver and 2x wood/iron but the principle is the same.

cunnerz21

I've started the year by getting custom fit for the first time so upgraded my driver and irons so excited for the year ahead. Setting a few goals for the year ahead:

1. Get HI down to single figures. Started 2022 at 17.5, starting 2023 at 12.9 so would love to get that to single figures

2. Play an interclub match for the first time

3. Win a club comp.l, have placed in loads of them and won my category quite a few times but never actually won outright.

Short and sweet but if I can accomplish those 3 things in 2023 I'd be delighted!

FixdePitchmark

Last year I had a lot of golf things on - very enjoyable year, playing some of the best courses in Ireland and further afield. It was a year of great social golf and much fun with great friends. But, with that, my competitive side definitely suffered. In saying that - it was a lesson for me, that there is more to golf than chasing a handicap. Perhaps - in Ireland, we go a bit too far with how serious we take every competition and round.

Now - I haven't completely gone mad - and I do intend to step back into my normal self this season. A few mates have said to me - your playing way too much casual golf and you need to get your competitive edge back. I've taken the feedback on.

so my goals for this year.

1) As always, have a par round - got a 4 over round last year (with a poor finish) - a long way from par - but if the stars align , it is a sort of 1 in 100 chance for the year ahead - but still my target.

2) Get my handicap stabilized and falling - currently 6 - and rising.

3) Have 25 competitive rounds in the year - only had a total of 15 last year

4) Have at least 3 eagles - Had 4 last year - but one was a hole in 1 and 2 were hole outs.

5) Take full responsibility for my short game - and engage with issues.

6) Improve flexibility and fitness

7) complete my lessons and try find something from it, to bed into swing (is hard, as a bit of, old dog new trick issue)

8) Improve routine in all aspects of my game and pre-game - I literally have no routine.

9) Finish my Links project (to play them all) - very close to the end now

10) Play in the mainland England / Wales.

So lots of goals there - I like goals and when I set them - i tend to try very hard to make them happen. The Par round is the ultimate and is a very very challenging target.

Infoseeker1975

Try to play in some scratch cups outside of my course and in general to play other courses as much as is possible.

Work on taking a club more and trying to swing in a more control fashion.

Unlikely but try to get handicap low enough to get into one of the championships though to be honest, I don't know what the cut off point is:) Changes today on this re casual golf scores and the number that can count.

CSWS101

Usually about +1/+2 to get into those

Infoseeker1975

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120102778#Comment_120102778

Thanks, I have a bit of work to do so, currently just shy of +1 though want to see if I can play something like 25% of competitions/counting scores on away courses to see if I can stay to that level, if not I am wasting my time:)

faffingaround

Right!

The goals this year…

1) Get lessons for the driver

2) Have no round over 99 strokes!

3) Practice regularly

4) Maintain or improve current handicap of 16

5) Play 5 new courses

6) Shoot as good or better than 12 over par

7) Break 90 on five occasions

bobster453

Be consistent and focus more on each shot.

End year max 12 index

willabur

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120059692#Comment_120059692

Down to 5.9 as off today. Shot +1 yesterday at powerscourt West course. Could have gone a few under par. Didn't sink anything over 4 feet all day.

Had a good run in the interclubs and made the final of the matchplay. So year worked out well. Need to catch up on the birdie challenge tho

dan_ep82

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120065173#Comment_120065173

Back up to 7.0 from 6.8 but can’t imagine I’ll move more than a shot either side before the season ends ,playing a lot less with both of us back working but still trying to make it work.

El Guapo!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121017472#Comment_121017472

Bandit

dan_ep82

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121017967#Comment_121017967

If anyone would know it would be someone who dropped 8 shots in less than 12 months 😉

charlieIRL

My goal this year was to continute my drop in handicap - got down to 16.1 last year and broke 90 a few times with a recent best of 84 so I headed into 2023 with great hope.

Crikey was it short lived.

My golf swing went horribly wrong at the start of this year, so bad I wanted to genuinely give up, I actually hated being on the golf course half way through some of my rounds - my sub 90 scores were replaced with ones over 100 and some even over 110. My lovely long draw with driver were replaced with a shocking bad hook, I got a does of the sh&*K$ with all my irons, from 6 to LW, every single one of them. Got a lesson and it didn't work so I took a break and after a while I went to a different pro. Started to see some improvements especially with my driver and got back to 16 again and then they came back. Absolute soul destroying standing over a shot and not noing if it is goning to go where you want or 45 degerees right into trouble. I've lost more golf balls this year than in the last 15 years combined i reckon - even all my practice balls are lost at this stage.

I haven't even held a club in 10 days and probably won't until next week - some preparation for playing BGS Captains day in Killarney, I've just lost all interest. I'd rather go for a spin on my motorbike than play golf right now. :(

spacecoyote

The "rhymes with tanks" are soul destroying alright. Problem is that they're not just a one shot impact. You hit the first one, then spend the subsequent shots worried you're going to do it again

dan_ep82

I used to get them bad for about 3 months at a time. Obviously there’s a root problem that needs to be seen to off the course , but I found I could put in a score (high 80’s) with them. Everything was aimed off the toe. Address the ball with the toe and try to hit it off the grooves toe side. Some days I’d have to try to scrape the inside of the ball with the tip of the club. It’s not enjoyable but can stop you from walking off. Most people I see that catch a case of them just refuse to aim at the toe(not saying this is you ) and keep aiming center face and hitting it 90°

As for the slump, they happen. But you know you have the better scores in you and it will come back.

blue note

I scrolled through to see what I was thinking at the start of the year and I'm surprised to see I didn't post anything. Sure I'll do them now.

• Increase handicap by a shot
• Only play 1 new course this year
• I was disappointed to only get to 3 boards outings last year. I'll aim to be similarly disappointed this year.
• Work on my driving to narrow the dispersion. Then not play, forget all I've done and revert to dirty slices
• Schedule my rounds only for monsoon weather.

blue note

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121034578#Comment_121034578

I am meeting all my targets this year 😎

Kiith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058277680/2023-golfing-goals

Since my golf is pretty much done for the year, figured i'd update this. Was always going to be difficult hitting many of my goals once i didn't renew my membership, but did ok overall. Highlight of the year was definitely the clean sweep in the Jug. Can't really beat that.

• Get down to single digits this year. Currently 12.5, but i can definitely see the path to single digits.
  • Not even close. Ended up not renewing my membership in RoK, so wasn't able to do anything with my HC. I did start playing well towards the end of the year, and think i may have gotten cut a bit, but not enough to get single digits.
• Win at least once in my club competitions this year, and play some matchplay rounds.
  • Nope, mainly due to not being a member, as i think i may have been playing well enough towards the end of the year to compete in our club comps.
• Win a boards event, and make it onto the Jug team.
  • Didn't win a boards event (3rd was my best finish i think), but did get onto the Jug which was the main goal. Plus, we **** smashed them 😁
• Compete for the trophy in our annual Enniscrone trip. Missed it the last two years (baby and then Covid), so can't wait to go this year.
  • I came last...absolute disaster.
• Play Tralee, Ballybunion and at least one other top tier course.
  • Nope
• Stop constantly losing balls on my home course. Think i've only ever gone 1 round without losing a ball.
  • Goal technically achieved...because i didn't have a home course 😑
• Not so much a goal, but something i'd like to do if i can afford it is to fix the gaps in my bag (Driver, 3w and then 4i currently), replace my putter, regrip my driver and 3w, and if i can afford it, replace my irons. Will see how 2023 goes though.
  • Replaced my irons, and regripped all my clubs, but still have a big gap between the 3w and 4i.

Live back in civilization again, so looking forward to getting more regular golf and actually improving this year coming.

TrueDub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120055857#Comment_120055857

Good idea to update this. So:

1. Play more golf. Despite a season-wrecking shoulder injury (March to July out with frozen shoulder), I got to play a lot from August on. Starting with the boards outing to Bunclody, and finishing with a number of rounds in my home place (Lisheen Springs). My brother getting into golf has greatly assisted on the playing-alone issue. Goal achieved.
2. Get a handicap, use the club membership. I finally got my 3 rounds in in mid-October, and was given a fair 24.9 HI. I've played a couple of competitions since, all non-counting so can't start accumulating my 20 scores until next year. Still, I got it, and I'm using the membership as much as I can. Goal achieved.
3. Get lessons. This didn't happen, due to the above injury. Lessons are badly needed, and will be on the list for early in 2024. Goal missed.
4. Practice what I learnt. Didn't happen, roll over to 2024. Goal missed.
5. Try not to be such an equipment junkie. I sort of managed this - I got a new (to me) driver, a new (to me) fairway wood and a new putter. Considering I need a new set of clubs, that was restrained. Goal partially achieved.
6. Play some of the Boards events. I managed to play one, in Bunclody, and had a blast. I won the "Most Golf" prize, which is a very kind term for coming dead last, but winning was never a priority (or even a possibility, TBH). These events will be going on the calendar straight away in 2024. Goal achieved.

RoadRunner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120058838#Comment_120058838

• Help deliver another successful year for the society.

The consensus seems to be good here. I certainly have plenty of happy memories of the year.

• Make the jug team through good consistent play.

I absolutely made the society jug team this year. (That I needed a captains pick to make the team, or that I was the captain who actually made that pick are inconsequential!)

• Win back the jug for the boards side.

The jug sits on my mantlepiece at home!

• Side quest - shoot level par round.

No. But, our course changes to 9hole for winter, and a recent round went as follows. A birdy putt on the last lipped out which would have made it a level par 9hole round.

A good year in all.

token56

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120059139#Comment_120059139

My goals were definitely a bit too adventurous for the year I had. I really just wasn't playing as much as I needed to this year and prioritised training for a marathon over my golf.

• Lowest I got to was 11.5 but back out to 13.1 so essentially back to where I started from. I'm very confident though that I have the ability to be a single digit handicaper. With my running sidelined at the moment I'm going to be putting in some good hours in the offseason to try make some big improvements.
• I was never close to winning a Medal but I think I only got to play 2 of them due to other commitments and bad timing.
• Again not ever really close. Just not playing enough golf when these came up.
• Very average performance on the first day and couldn't make it to the second day.
• This I actually did do and represented the club in the Pierce Purcell and Central Towns. Won the first two rounds in the Pierce Purcell and gave a very good account of myself I think. Called in on the 18th in the Central Towns having lost the tie with other matches. I didn't play very well in this, in particular the front 9 but battled very well to bring it to the 18th so again happy with my performance.

Outside of this, it was my first year with the Boards Society and I think I only missed one outing. Had a fantastic time meeting and playing with everyone. Unfortunately finished just outside the top 10 and but a 2nd place finished on the Captains Day to finish it off nicely.

benny79

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120060518#Comment_120060518

Really Bad year for me in general & golf wise although timing and weather didnt help matters.

1. Think I only got 3 with a new Pro which is good and have worked out well! - Semi hit
2. Nope. Think I came 3rd in category best I have done.
3. Nope didnt even make team. Thats 2 years in a row but I am getting better at match play.
4. Nope. but the amount of times I hit 90 was criminal
5. Started back last month. So I'm taking this as achieved.

Highlight of year was getting to the matchplay final with a few of the lads. I had final in Portrush on our annual golf trip having played great the day before in strong conditions only to play terrible in the final in great conditions! I think I but to much pressure on myself thus is golf! Mental side is seriously been working on next year!

billy3sheets

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120071802#Comment_120071802

Year went pretty much according to plan without having specific goals.

HI went from 13.5 out to 14 but I'm scoring consistently close to my handicap now. The fluctuations are much less than they used to be so most rounds are really enjoyable.

Was runner-up in a medal but no other wins.

Played on 2 inter-club teams. Really enjoyed this.

Portugal trip went well but the standard of the courses we played in October was disappointing.

coillcam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120059611#Comment_120059611

1. First half of the year was great for practice. If not every week, definitely 2x on some occasions. The rest of the year almost none.
2. Dropped to 10.4 on the back of a hot start and lots of practice. Drifted to 11.4 in the end.
3. Shot 80 on holidays in Spain in March, had a birdie putt on 18 for 79.
4. Close to yes for the first half of the year, the rest was poor. I didn't break 90 from June to October I think.
5. I think 3x birdies was the most which I'm happy enough with.
6. No eagle putts but I did have a HIO on the Spain trip so that's good enough for me.
7. Nope but I made a couple of new holes on the list this year, I have only index 1 & 2 left.
8. Could not rid the double bogeys from a single card.
9. Stand bag on hiatus other than a quick 9. Mild meniscus tear in October means no stand bag for the foreseeable.
10. No chance given practice levels but I've been in the gym pretty solid for the last 3x months. Might transfer to CHS next year with some speed training.
11. Managed to get 2x links courses in (Rosses Point and Arklow). Maybe another before the new year?
12. Yes, had a great first trip abroad to Cadiz (Novo Sancti Petri).
13. Didn't get close this year, kept banging 35/36 points consistently at the start of the year to drop the hc. Drifted badly since.
14. During my good run I got to the final group of a major with 2 shots off the leader in R1. Had a poor day for R2 and missed my chance, finished well off the pace in the end.
15. Got onto two teams. Really enjoyed it. Foursomes for Barton Cup and singles (forget the name, Tullamore's hosted comp).
16. 100% success.
17. First have of the year yes but didn't get another coach.
18. Nope.
19. Unsure but probably not tbh, lack of practice and lessons in the second half of the year.

A tale of two halves. Super busy with work and life stuff since the summer. Scoring was very poor and lack of practice killed any chance of scoring. Arguably I'm a better iron player. Driving is inconsistent and short game is in rag order. Can't be too disappointed given the lack of practice.

Overall though I had loads of highlights particularly in the first half (80 for new pb, HIO, trip abroad, teams, major final group) and enjoyed myself nonetheless. Hopefully, the physio and rehab keep the knee healthy. Looking forward to 2024 and will probably scale back the practice expectations. Some big work and life projects in the pipeline have priority.

FixdePitchmark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120095458#Comment_120095458

1) Had a 4 over round again - but to be honest was a long way from par all year - one freak round went well , but a year of the big miss left.

2) Did stabilize my handicap - but year didn't really go to plan due to a few off course issues.

3) A disaster of a year for competitive golf - but no excuses next year.

4) Got the 3 eagles - but were not in competitive rounds.

5) Took this on in fairness and if my short game was like 3 out of 10 before - it is now about 5 - not great but going in right direction.

6) Off course issues put this one to bed - but great plans again in 2024 (lol)

7) Big step here - and realised how awful my dynamics are - definite an improvement in ball flight - if still not right.

8) if I was 1 out of 10 here before - I might be at 5 - so this is a big improvement.

9) Very very close now - a few odd ones in Donegal like Portnoo and Cruit Island - but as good as done - was a blast. In a sad way , I think I need a new project as I'm not a big fan of repeat experiences.

10) Hit wales and was a blast - but it did remind me how amazing Ireland is - I know England is my big gap now - a world of golf and even a style of golf in England I know very little about.

So - 2023 had lots of good things - lots of things I set out to do and did. But sometimes life takes over and the goals are out the window. Maybe not being so goal orientated (as i tend to be) has merits too - and maybe that was a learning experience from last year. The experience itself should be the goal at times. Not the pure goal. Due to contacts on here and in the industry - I get to have amazing golf experiences - and being present and grateful of that experience, will be near my top for next year.

benny79

Hit 4. last weekend with an 85 strokes 39pts. haven't not played in 3 weeks due to course been closed was shocked but great feeling and won competition too 😁 first win of the year. Been listening to some pod casts with Fred Shoemaker on the mental side definitely payed off and something I seriously going to work on next year!

spacecoyote

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120056114#Comment_120056114

• Didn't get fitter and stronger. Got diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder in March which put paid to any real strength work. Over the worst of it, but still requires some maintenance
• Got 1 lesson in early in the year and another one in about 3 weeks ago
• Got as low as 5.8, so missed the 5.4, but was still an all-time low for me. Finished the year back up at 6.7
• No boards outing wins, but made the jug team
• Got a few new courses in too over the year (RCD probably the highlight of new courses to me)
• Didn't manage any trips abroad for golf
• Got plenty of golf in with family and friends over the year, so overall a successful one!

Looking forward to getting some goals set and kicking on in 2024

higster

Ugh...

1. Break 90 for let’s say 20%+ of rounds (this will need lessons and practice, only managed it once in 2022 but damn close so often)
   1. Nope, not even close. About 3 times in the year (playing at least 1/week)
2. Get HCI to <18 (currently 20)
   1. Nope. But got to 19 so at least an improvement (did get to 18.4, back end of season was really poor). Am struggling with new HC, had a 24 HCI in 2021/start 2022...
3. Win a society and a club comp
   1. Not even close
4. Win the annual end of year round with 3 buddies and bring the cup back home
   1. Blew it on the 17th and 18th
5. Play at least one of Tralee/Ballb/Old Head
   1. Nope

But...my 19yr old son has started playing, enjoy getting out and having a chat (and watching his wild 270yrd drives) and makes it easier at home to get out) so happy out!

bobster453

I didnt make plans for this year and dont intend to make any for next year except my usual 1 that I often remind myself of which is....

The graveyards are full of people who would love to be playing so give every shot and every round 100 percent..if it works out fine..if not I am still blessed to be playing so enjoy each and every experience..the good and the bad.Trust yourself and trust your practice.

Generally works out okay I find.

Rikand

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120070709#Comment_120070709

Only played 19 counting rounds in the end. However, I'm finishing the year on 4.7!!!

Highlight of the year was undoubtedly winning the clubs Scratch Matchplay. 🏆