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2020 Golfing Goals

  • 19-12-2019 12:18am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 688 ✭✭✭


    Its almost the end of the year and after achieving all of last year's goals pretty easily (in hindsight they were pretty easy) I thought I would list my goals for 2020. This will be my second proper year of golfing so I think my goals are a little harder this time now I know I have more of an idea of my ability.

    Be interesting to see what others have as their goals also. List yours below too.

    1. Get handicap down to 15 maximum (currently 18.5 from a high of 20.1 and a low of 17.5) Mid summer I thought this would be done this year as i was playing extremely well but my game has fallen apart since August with ten 0.1's since.

    2. Win a competition. Any competition. Have finished second a few times so the form is there. Just need to get my game back to last summer's levels of consistency and it should come.

    3. Qualify for the Boards Jug team. The major problem here is actually making 5 counting events. Hopefully I will have to time to be able to play at least 5 events.

    4. Play a round with NO scratch on the card. This should theoretically be the easiest goal but it's something I haven't even been close to managing yet unfortunately.


«1

Comments

  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    I'm playing off 8 and i'd settle for 7 in 2020. I had hoped to go lower in 2019 but things didn't work out as planned.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,631 ✭✭✭willabur


    My 2020 goals

    1: Get to single figures (currently 14)
    2: reduce putts per round to less than 36
    3: play a round at carne
    4: shoot low 80s round at Ballybunion Old
    5: Win a few club competitions
    6: Play more matchplay comps


  • Registered Users Posts: 498 ✭✭Stacksey


    Cut down the amount of times i need to get my ball retriever re-gripped


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,863 ✭✭✭dball


    davegilly wrote: »
    Its almost the end of the year and after achieving all of last year's goals pretty easily (in hindsight they were pretty easy) I thought I would list my goals for 2020. This will be my second proper year of golfing so I think my goals are a little harder this time now I know I have more of an idea of my ability.

    Be interesting to see what others have as their goals also. List yours below too.

    1. Get handicap down to 15 maximum (currently 18.5 from a high of 20.1 and a low of 17.5) Mid summer I thought this would be done this year as i was playing extremely well but my game has fallen apart since August with ten 0.1's since.

    2. Win a competition. Any competition. Have finished second a few times so the form is there. Just need to get my game back to last summer's levels of consistency and it should come.

    3. Qualify for the Boards Jug team. The major problem here is actually making 5 counting events. Hopefully I will have to time to be able to play at least 5 events.

    4. Play a round with NO scratch on the card. This should theoretically be the easiest goal but it's something I haven't even been close to managing yet unfortunately.


    Goal No 4 = Goal No 2, most probably


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,192 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    play more


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,036 ✭✭✭youcancallmeal


    Try get down to 14 from 18. I got down to 18 from 25 at the start of this year. I feel like 18 is about right for me now but my putting and short game is an area I think I can work on to get down further, 3 putts are almost always the reason for my poor rounds


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,966 ✭✭✭RoadRunner


    Strike every single shot of the year with conviction, purpose and concentration.

    End shanking.

    Make it out of group stage of winter matchplay series.

    Make the Jug team.

    (1&2 should help make 3&4 possible)



    Stretch goal: Shoot a level par 18 holes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,631 ✭✭✭willabur


    Try get down to 14 from 18. I got down to 18 from 25 at the start of this year. I feel like 18 is about right for me now but my putting and short game is an area I think I can work on to get down further, 3 putts are almost always the reason for my poor rounds

    As a 14 handicapper I can tell you the strongest part of my game is tee to green. My GIR is pretty good, I am always in or around the green in regulation. The key to this is know your miss. Always aim to the fat part of the fairway and green.

    My feeling is getting up and down is what separates where I am to where I want to be


  • Registered Users Posts: 59 ✭✭JJTippBhoy


    Get my handicapp down to 11. Playing off 13.0 at the moment & got to exactly 12.0 3 times in the last 4 years but haven't broken that 11 duck. I WILL IN 2020


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Frustrating year last year started well on my goal which was to get to 19. Went from 24.1 to 21.6, but have gone back out 22.5.

    This year
    1. Get to 17
    2. Play more golf January - March. Always arrive cold into qualifying, hoping this can help me hit ground running
    3. Do a fitting session for my irons. Got driver done last year and has made a huge difference combined with lessons to eliminate a two way miss.
    4. Start tracking stats.
    5. Play more boards outings
    6. Enjoy the game, even when it goes to pot mid round


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  • Registered Users Posts: 370 ✭✭Break80


    Same as last year.
    Change my username to Break 78.
    Last year was a disaster golf wise.
    Missed out on the Ryder Jug for the first time since joining the society.
    Managed to get to 13 briefly but now out to 14.
    Even though the golf was rubbish I had a great time with the boards society. Trip to St Andrew's. And Dooks.
    Next year is the year lads starting with Portugal.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,958 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    Love this thread - as very goal centric myself.

    Had about 2 years of very limited golf , for me. Now I know that is still probably double what most get. But still was way down the list of priorities in life.

    Had periods of say 1/2 months there I didn't even swing a club. Still had great times in Spain , Scotland and Kerry and East coast - most with lads from here.

    So with the decks clear in a personal capacity - I think 2020 will be a big year of golf. I have been fairly terrible at golf for a while , so trying to do something about it at the moment. I still love love the game ( to play). But the bit of a break was good.

    1) Sort out short game wedges and putting - being honest , put the work in - I failed to over the last while.
    2) Score in low 70s a few times , no matter how erratic my game can be, I do have days when this can happen - had 5 birdies in one round last year
    3) Win winter matchplay - I was shocking last year, but I'm going to be a different golfer this year :p , now calling a win in a matchplay event is crazy, but there you go.
    4) Play a bit more Parkland golf - and actaully score, game is fairly 1 dimensional links , a different challenge - I'm going to pick one locally and try shoot a 79 or lower, this would be a reasonable achievement for me
    5) I hope to end the year somewhere between 5/6. But my game is going to shift from long game to short game.


  • Registered Users Posts: 395 ✭✭TheRoomWrecker


    1.get too and stay in Catt 1 (currently 6.3)
    2. win 3 medals (won 2 this year)
    3. shoot level par or better in a comp (+2 is my best here)
    4. play more scratch cups/ stroke play comps (as I seem to perform better in these...must be a concentration thing)
    5. practice with a purpose


  • Registered Users Posts: 300 ✭✭pakman


    Aiming big this year.

    1. Break 80. I broke 90 and 85 this year and had some glimpses. Its a real long shot but sure why not.

    2. Get down to low teens. Down to 15.5 from a start of 21 this year so anything around 13 would have me very happy.

    3. Play more links. Always been put off due to wind and dangerous bunkers but recent rounds at Monty and some of the boards trips have me enjoying much more and more importantly starting to score on them.

    4. Win a boards comp

    5. Make the Ryder Jug team. This year was brilliant and first ever matchplay format.

    6. Figure out long irons. This one is the least likely of all as they have plagued me for years but determined to stick to new swing changes and see if they work out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭woodyg


    2020 goal -> Lessons! Lessons! Lessons!

    and continue the handicap cut
    cut 3 shots on GUi this year
    another 2 shots in 2020 would be nice

    Forgot the most important goal, get to the Boards outings and deffo the captains weekend!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,057 ✭✭✭irish bloke


    Back to golf after a 6 year absence - 2.5 months in from joining a new club and loving it.

    Got my handicap and have started playing a few winter comps - putting in lots of practice (range and course) approx 3 times a week.

    When I started goal was to get to single figures in 18 months - therefore 11/12 is where I want to be before the end of this year.

    Was deservedly given 18 and now starting to play nicely in patches, but cant be cut until season starts.

    Improve my putting also (Achilles heal) - have at least 3 x 3 putts a round


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭BraveDonut


    9.7 to 9.4

    Doesn't sound like a big goal but it's just the fact of knowing that I can still play well enough to call myself a single figure golfer.

    oh...and yes....same as last year - get out of my own way/head and enjoy it more


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,159 ✭✭✭benny79


    1. Get from 18 to 15. not a big one but the whole handicap thing, I think is a
    mental state of mind with me at this stage.

    2. Win a medal (This is a big goal of mine & has been for years)

    3. Make the Jug team and enjoy my society Golf since as I can relax! :D

    4. Win The Captains prize either with my club or The boards Society :cool:
    Came 3rd last 2 years in 2 different clubs really threw it away last year!

    5. Work on strike & keep the lessons going (everything else will fall in place)


  • Registered Users Posts: 21 TwistFace


    I was 7.3 in 2017 - all based off playing loads and getting into form.
    Now I'm off 9.4!!

    Be easy to say goal is to get back down to 8 or to hold onto 9.

    But the goal has to be to rebuild the swing that makes it a bit more dependable. Like a lot of amateurs, i get very stand uppy through impact and flippy, ball can go anywhere. Goal is to build a swing where I get the body more open at impact and clubface a lot more neutral on the way through impact.

    Good luck to everyone with their goals!


  • Registered Users Posts: 592 ✭✭✭rickis tache


    I won't say get to single figures cause its always a goal I post and always fail but I will say get cut 4.7..... ;¶

    Make the pierce Purcell team.
    Win a club matchplay game or more.
    Make the clubs top 10 in GOY.
    Play more links golf.
    Concentrate more on shots instead of just pulling a club and hitting.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,958 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    I won't say get to single figures cause its always a goal I post and always fail but I will say get cut 4.7..... ;¶

    Make the pierce Purcell team.
    Win a club matchplay game or more.
    Make the clubs top 10 in GOY.
    Play more links golf.
    Concentrate more on shots instead of just pulling a club and hitting.

    if I can just ask on single figures.

    Would you want to forget all about the Pierce Purcell if your true golfing goal is single figures?

    The golf mind is a powerful thing , have all your goals aligned. Inter club by its nature is a limit in our mind.

    I personally don't think inter club is a place to be thinking to improve handicap. I think it can block many people

    Unless you say , I want to make Junior cup next year.

    I accept that inter club is based on last year's handicap, but you should be in the environment of higher level golf (imo).


  • Registered Users Posts: 348 ✭✭frink


    1. Get from 5 to 4
    2. Win a Medal
    3. Play more during the week, moving club to somewhere more local will help me hopefully
    4. Make the Junior Cup team in new club (Hopefully get drawn against my old club at some point)
    5. Go on a golf trip


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,590 ✭✭✭blue note


    Officially it will be to get to my pre hiatus handicap of 11. Secretly I'll be hoping to hit 9.

    To get there;

    Get down to 34/35 putts a round.
    Get down in 3 consistently from inside 100m.
    Par the 3rd in corballis.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,634 ✭✭✭spacecoyote


    • Get back down to & stay at single figures by the end of the year (starting at 9.6)
    • Consolidate swing changes over the Winter. Managed for the first time to get a lesson in at the start of the Winter, so I have months of playing rubbish to get things in good shape for the qualifying season
    • Get Scrambling up above 30%
    • Get fitter & get swing speed up
    • Work on my golfers tan (roll on Portugal)
    • Have a good year with Boards Society (as Captain, as well as a Player)
    • Retain the Jug


  • Registered Users Posts: 269 ✭✭doublecross


    Only one goal, get down to 4. I've gotten close but whenever I go low in comp I get defensive and feck it up!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,634 ✭✭✭spacecoyote


    Only one goal, get down to 4. I've gotten close but whenever I go low in comp I get defensive and feck it up!

    Does Boards Society handicap not count as getting below 4 ;)


  • Registered Users Posts: 269 ✭✭doublecross


    Does Boards Society handicap not count as getting below 4 ;)

    Very true. Goal reached :cool:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,421 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    1. Play junior cup. I'm manager this year but I'd love to pick myself a la tiger woods.
    2. Play jimmy Bruen. Might not have time for this because of 1.
    3. Have at least one round this year where I get cut. No cuts in 2019 :(
    4. Not go up by the full shot before august like I did this year.

    5. Stick to one swing thought for the whole season. I'm like Harrington.... I just cant help myself


  • Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭idle


    Concentrate more. My best round this year by far was in a team comp so I think concentration is an issue.

    Get down to 9 at least. Currently 11 (would be higher but for limit)

    Win a club comp (5 seconds this year!)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,097 ✭✭✭billy3sheets


    Copied from 2019 goals:

    Again no goals just focusing on the habits.

    1. Keep a good tempo in my swing.
    2. Practice short game from 100 metres in every week including putting practice
    3. Avoid my annual swing collapse.
    4. Go on a foreign golf holiday

    I've been posting on boards golf for 14 years. My first goals post was on 2008 goals.
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=54643994&postcount=9
    I'd had a good 2007 and was off 15. I'm currently off 16! I still haven't gone on a golf holiday abroad :(
    I did some deep analysis of how to achieve a handicap goal of 15==>10.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,861 ✭✭✭Barnaboy


    Had to have an operation on my back at the end of October and haven't played since. Hope to be back in February. So for me primary goal is just to get back playing. Second is to make sure I enjoy every moment on the course. Third is to play with confidence and focus.

    A few great scores would be nice too!


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 23,213 Mod ✭✭✭✭Kiith


    After a pretty poor 2019, i'm pretty hyped up for 2020. Live near to a course now, as well as a driving range that is open early and late. I work from home 3 days a week, so i've plenty of time to get in some practice during the week, which should help me a lot.
    • Get my handicap under 14. I really want to see an improvement this year, so that should be well doable.
    • Win a competition. Anything will do, but i'd love to actually win something. CAme 2nd twice in the last two years, so serious improvements are needed (but doable).
    • Improve my short game. Need to get myself a gap wedge, and then work on my game from within 100 yards. I'm nowhere near good enough to be scoring well, so that'll be my main area to target in January. Gonna do a short game clinic in the golf academy as well, which will help.
    • Ryder jug would be nice, though it seems we all have that goal :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 215 ✭✭newindublin


    1. Get to know the new club I joined just this month. Last time I was a member I just focused on golf and while that will be a huge focus, I want to really get a stronger feel for the club this time.
    2. I have been given a 20.5 handicap, I would like to see that cut to at least 18 this year.
    3. Chipping and putting practice at an equal rate to driving range. My short game is utter crap and costs me a ton of shots every round.
    4. Try to have a shorter memory for bad shots and more focus on the next one.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,590 ✭✭✭blue note


    blue note wrote: »
    Officially it will be to get to my pre hiatus handicap of 11. Secretly I'll be hoping to hit 9.

    To get there;

    Get down to 34/35 putts a round.
    Get down in 3 consistently from inside 100m.
    Par the 3rd in corballis.

    Managed to get one last round in in 2019 and parred our index one. Can that count as a 2020 goal fulfilled?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,653 ✭✭✭CalamariFritti


    Had a couple of dull years. A win here and there a lot of 30 somethings, many .1s. Plateauing again; this time at 12-13.

    In a bit of a tricky spot. Reason is I'm a shortish hitter. I'm ok but definitely not long. My low single figure buddies are all a good bit longer and it definitely makes a difference. 5 iron vs 8 iron for 2nd shot kinda thing. But I dont know how to get longer. My method could be improved but I'm trying that for a while. Also I'm 50 now. Not an issue yet but the years will certainly not make me longer.

    So should I try to improve my method overall and try to gain some distance? Or should I try to improve short game? Even as I write this I know the answer.

    Anyhow, goals...

    a) Play a lot of golf.
    b) Get off that plateau, preferably in the right direction.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 24 purdy1984


    1. Get the handicap down. Currently 21.3 want to get to 18. I was 24 at the start of 2019 so I want the downward trend to continue

    2. Make the last 9 holes of Captain's Prize. Currently our Captain's is 2 18 holes with a cut after first round and top 18 play after second round play the back 9.

    3. Win a club comp. Won a monthly medal and the gold medal (winners of all monthly medals play for the gold and end of year) this year and would like to win again.

    4. Feature in Golfer of the year of my society. I've never been anywhere near winning this so be nice to even compete for it.

    5. Play a round with no 3 putts currently my biggest weakness.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,427 ✭✭✭Pierce_1991


    One aim, simply to break 80. Should have done it this year, went close a few times but definitely 2020 will be the year. Just need to play a bit more and I think getting a proper warm up beforehand more often will be essential.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,275 ✭✭✭slingerz


    if I can just ask on single figures.

    Would you want to forget all about the Pierce Purcell if your true golfing goal is single figures?

    The golf mind is a powerful thing , have all your goals aligned. Inter club by its nature is a limit in our mind.

    I personally don't think inter club is a place to be thinking to improve handicap. I think it can block many people

    Unless you say , I want to make Junior cup next year.

    I accept that inter club is based on last year's handicap, but you should be in the environment of higher level golf (imo).


    Interesting perspective and i think you are on to something. If you enjoy inter club then dropping from purcell to Bruen might be an aim but subconsciously being eligible for purcell again the following year may be in the back of your mind.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,275 ✭✭✭slingerz


    2020 Goals

    1. Play (didnt get to last year due to injury save for 4 rounds at the end of qualifying purely to keep my handicap eligible)

    2. Play Bruen/Junior Cup (possibly optimistic with not playing much last year)
    3. Win a scratch cup (definitely optimistic as i am in the high side of the category)
    4. Play new courses

    If i achieve Number 1 i will be happy with 2020. goal 2, 3 & 4 are extension goals really


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,634 ✭✭✭spacecoyote


    1. Get to know the new club I joined just this month. Last time I was a member I just focused on golf and while that will be a huge focus, I want to really get a stronger feel for the club this time.
    2. I have been given a 20.5 handicap, I would like to see that cut to at least 18 this year.
    3. Chipping and putting practice at an equal rate to driving range. My short game is utter crap and costs me a ton of shots every round.
    4. Try to have a shorter memory for bad shots and more focus on the next one.

    Well you've picked the perfect spot for facilities if you want to work on your short game, so hopefully you can make use of them & knock 3 off the list!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,634 ✭✭✭spacecoyote


    Had a couple of dull years. A win here and there a lot of 30 somethings, many .1s. Plateauing again; this time at 12-13.

    In a bit of a tricky spot. Reason is I'm a shortish hitter. I'm ok but definitely not long. My low single figure buddies are all a good bit longer and it definitely makes a difference. 5 iron vs 8 iron for 2nd shot kinda thing. But I dont know how to get longer. My method could be improved but I'm trying that for a while. Also I'm 50 now. Not an issue yet but the years will certainly not make me longer.

    So should I try to improve my method overall and try to gain some distance? Or should I try to improve short game? Even as I write this I know the answer.

    Anyhow, goals...

    a) Play a lot of golf.
    b) Get off that plateau, preferably in the right direction.

    Would you contemplate something like overspeed training?

    Time investment seems fairly minimal (about 15 mins per session). Mark Crossfield had a video about it there the other day.

    He hit a speed of 112 on it, starting from a base of around 105.

    Combine that with some technique work & I'd say theres gains to be made?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,160 ✭✭✭Huntergonzo


    I only started back playing in 2018 due to having a bad back, I'd stopped in 2010 (only started for the first time in 2009).

    So here's the goals for 2020:

    1. Get a trolly to carry the bag (probably need a new bag as well).

    2. Get a full aet of clubs if they're reasonably priced (I have 11 clubs but they're a mishmash of all sorts).

    3. My biggest challenge: learn how to hit a god damn iron shot!!! I got decent enough at driving (260 yards straight down the fairway being my best this year, but regardless of length most were straight, putting isn't the worst, pitches need work but irons are an unmitiagted disaster)

    I played about 10 times this year (mostly 9 holes, back struggles with 18) and I could safely say I didn't hit 1 good iron shot. Bout 33% of swings were misses completely, 33% were topped, 33% I hit way out left (not hooked, just straight out left) and 1% were reasonable shots.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,457 ✭✭✭✭lawred2


    To play more than twice would be a core goal of mine in 2020

    Curse of three childer


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,486 ✭✭✭Deep Thought


    Need to get back down to single figures.

    This years was one of my worst ever

    Play better but more importantly enjoy it. Was in Portugal earlier and at one point my body didn’t want to hit a ball.. I was that bad.

    The narrower a man’s mind, the broader his statements.



  • Registered Users Posts: 83 ✭✭yuridwyer


    1. Bring my average score down to 90-91, currently 93.
    2. Shoot sub 80.
    3. Give myself more reasonable birdie opportunities.
    4. Mentally get my head right when playing sh!te.
    5. No staying up till 3 the night before playing!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,427 ✭✭✭Pierce_1991


    One aim, simply to break 80. Should have done it this year, went close a few times but definitely 2020 will be the year. Just need to play a bit more and I think getting a proper warm up beforehand more often will be essential.

    Shot 76 today so goal achieved for 2020 :)


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 23,213 Mod ✭✭✭✭Kiith


    Shot 76 today so goal achieved for 2020 :)

    No more golf for you till 2021 so :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,424 ✭✭✭✭The_Kew_Tour


    Joined my first Golf Club in 15 years. I just want to have some fun and enjoy playing regularly again.

    Love get rid of a desperate Slice I have so going get lessons to see if can be fixed.

    If I could get my Driver to go straighter that will do me this year. Great of my game I can enjoy and improve on later on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭gypsy79


    Get back to 17
    Fix my ott swing
    Finish top 10 Boards
    Finish top 10 goy in my club. (This is hardest as I hate playing medals in my club)
    Short term, fix my current putting woes
    Keep my putting average below 2.1


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,159 ✭✭✭benny79


    Shot 76 today so goal achieved for 2020 :)

    Winter Tee's and placing everywhere. Doesn't really count.. Soz.. :D


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