The Year that was…
For those of you that follow my blog. First of all Thank you. I know it’s been a bit since my last post, and I apologize for making you wait. Things have been a bit hectic lately. On top of all the usual things life burdens you with, there have been a few extra issues to deal with as well as a new edition to the Cobe Life family. Before some of you get too excited, no we didn’t have a baby. We did however bring a puppy home. I don’t know how many of you have raised a puppy before but for those of you that haven’t it means getting up around four times a night to take him out to do his business. Sleep has become a distant memory. I look like an extra on the Walking Dead these days.
So it probably wouldn’t surprise you when I say that I haven’t done anything of particular note lately. Instead I will take this opportunity to evaluate how my season went. What goals I managed to achieve, and where I fell short. Plus a few moments that really stood out to me.
Why goals are important in golf
Unlike many other sports, setting goals in golf is critical to improving your game. Having said that I’m sure a number of you are already thinking that goals are important in all sports. Of course they are. It’s just that in golf there are so many different aspects to the game, that without setting specific goals you won’t actually know how you are improving. If you still think what I’m saying is nonsense. It might help you understand what my goals were.
Average less than 2 putts per hole.
GOAL ACHIEVED! I finished the season with an average of 1.7 putts per hole. This is actually better than I had hoped. Essentially what this means is that I rarely 3 putt, and quite often I require only one putt to hole out. What it doesn’t tell you is how long my average putt was. This brings up an important aspect of understanding your progress in Golf. Quite a number of your statistics can be affected by other aspects of your game. Which brings me to my next goal.
Average less than 1 chip per hole.
GOAL FAILED! I finished the season with an average of 1.3 chips per hole. This tells me two things. First of all I’m not hitting too many greens on approach shots so my accuracy is off with my Irons. Secondly if I’m forced to chip that often, and I know that my chipping ability is quite good. Then I’m probably leaving myself a lot of easy putts. That’s partially why my putting numbers are so good. Which leads me to my next goal.
33% or better Green in Regulation average.
GOAL FAILED! Verifying what I safely assumed was the case. I didn’t hit too many greens with my approach shots this season. My average was a paltry 13.3%. Obviously my accuracy with my Irons needs major improvement. Of course that might not be the only concern. It’s possible to be deadly accurate at the Golf Range, then trouble taking aim on the course. Hitting your targets becomes a lot more difficult when you aren’t hitting off a perfect surface. Which brings me to my next goal.
50% or better in Fairways Hit.
GOAL ACHIEVED! Coming into this season my fairways hit percentage was around 50%. I was hoping to maintain that average while choosing to play more aggressively off the tee. I finished the season with a 65.5% average. Far better than what I had hoped for, and proof that all the practice I put in with my Driver is working. What this also tells me is that my accuracy with my Irons are an issue because the majority of my approach shots are from the Fairway. Which brings me to my final goal.
Lower my handicap to 18 or better.
GOAL FAILED! I was really hoping to finish the season as a bogey golfer but unfortunately that didn’t happen. My current handicap is 21.9. Close but no celebratory cigar. My handicap did go down by 7 strokes so that should be seen as a success. More importantly I have a good understanding of what I need to work on to lower my handicap next Season. First and foremost is my Iron accuracy. A few trips to the Simulator practicing in closest to the pin mode should help. With that goal in mind I should probably work on my longer putts because I should hit more greens. In order to make my approach shots easier I should probably work on my Driver distance as well.
Possible goals for next season
Less than 1.9 putts per hole
Less than 1 chip per hole
33% or better Greens in Regulation
66% Fairways Hit
16 or better handicap
Understanding where my game is at, and what specifically needs improvement makes those goals realistic. Most other sports aren’t like that. For the most part you just practice in order to get better. You don’t necessarily isolate one particular part of your game that will end up improving your overall performance.
I’m already excited for next year, and hope you continue to enjoy the journey right along with me.