My 2017 golf season had many ups and downs. I have a few highlights where I exceed expectations and a few low points I would like to forget. Before I go further into some of the details, I want to say up front that I am grateful for all the golf I played and I am looking forward to 2018 all ready.
In January, I outlined the goals for 2017 and as in other years I met some and missed some. Here is what I had planned for last season:
- Play in 4 tournaments – I played in 8
- Win 1 tournament or more – I won 2
- Lower my handicap index to below 2 – only reached 3.4
- Shoot 5 eagles – made 2
- Break Par 1 or more times – broke par 0 times (shot even par 4 times)
- Improve my GIR stat to and average of 10 per round – 10.1 GIR per round
- Average 30 putts or less per round over the season – missed this goal 30.5
- Play at 50 rounds or more over the season – played close to 80
- Play at least 5 different courses this year – Played at least 6
That was the what I want to accomplish, now this is how I plan to do it:
- Practice for 45 minutes on average of 1.5 times a week – most of the time
- Play an average of 3 times a week – averaged around 4 times a week
- Play golf on average of 1 time a week with my wife – did not happen
- Develop at least 4 new ‘short game’ drills – did not happen
- Play golf with at least 20 different people – way more than 20
As you can see, I missed the mark on many of the more difficult goals. But, overall I would rate my season as a B+. I think if I lowered my handicap a bit lower I might have slide into the A- category, but this gives me something to aim for in 2018.
I saw some positive improvement in my competitive play which bodes well for next year. I hope to join the same, if not more events because competition does sharpen my skills. This was the first year that I played in this many events and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My three best finishes were: I won a scramble event, a stroke event and finished second in a stroke event. In the rest, I was competitive except for one. So overall, I would assess my success as an A-. Winning another tournament or two would have pushed me up the scale a bit further.
My overall game was not as strong as previous years. I struggled with my driver for most of the year and with my putting on and off. I did improve my GIR (which I feel is the most important stat), but failed to take advantage of it with more birdies or eagles. Looking back, I would assess my play as a B. There was lots of room for improvement and next year I will see to it.
Well, those were my highlights of my 2017 golf season. Every year I like to look back and analyse where I can improve. It helps me shape my thoughts for next near and set some new and exciting goals.
Do you set goals for your golf season?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Written by Jim Burton from The Grateful Golfer blog.
Jim,
Nice to see that you shattered many of your goals! And even some that fell short, were not missed by much. Keep aiming high my friend!
Cheers
Josh
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Thanks Josh!
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Congratulations on a good season Jim, very impressive. I noticed that one of your goals was to “Lower my handicap index to below 2.” I thought you were on a quest to get to scratch, or is that your goal for next year.
Pete
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Pete
It is my ultimate golfing goal. I have to get there in stages. Last year was a bit of a set back year for being a scrarch olayer. There is always next year.
Cheers
Jim
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Never give up
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Looks like you have a lot to be pleased with at the end of your golf season. Interesting that you set very specific goals – I can see how that is probably more motivating and more measurable than the vaguer targets that people like myself generally set ourselves! Cheers, Rob.
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Rob
I find specific goals helps for sure. I also do not get worried if I miss some….it is something to work for!
Cheers
Jim
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Great job!
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Thanks Jimmy!
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