Every 365 days Groundhog Day rolls around. Today all golfers in the northern climes wait in anticipation for the weather prediction of rodents: Wiarton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil. The pressure exuded by golfers on these special creatures to predict an early spring is overwhelming. Each year as these loveable creatures climb out of their hole, millions of eyes are focused on their every move; if they see their shadow and scurry back home to safety, it means that golfers will have to wait an additional 6 weeks for winter to slowly become a distant memory.

Groundhog Day is also a famous saying that stems from the movie “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.

The story line in the should be familiar to most amateur golfers. It foreshadows our game as we hit the links time after time with no substantive change in our golf score. It reminds me of the Albert Einstein definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!

Real change in golf and life comes from within. We have discussed this many times over the years and it still holds true today; the realization that any permanent change takes real effort, focus and desire. To effect change in our golf game, I recommend developing an off-season training plan, taking the time to execute it, and accepting the results. After a reasonable time (reasonable is relative to every person) repeat the process by making small changes to your learned behaviour.

This where I remind all aspiring golfers that a golf plan is key to becoming better golfers. Having a concrete clue on what needs fixing in our game can be addressed by focusing on our weaker areas. In my case, 2023 will be the year of ‘The GIR’! I am going to focus on improving my GIR percentage in order to improve my overall scores. I am hoping that I can lower my handicap index this year through this approach (and not forgetting the other areas, especially my chipping and putting) because being on the green in regulation is the best approach to any golf game. Regardless, I have a specific focus for my season, now is the time to develop a plan to make it happen.

By following a successful game plan, like in the movie, your golf game can miraculously change and the frustrations of Groundhog Day will be gone forever!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!