Golf Goals 2008

I am going to take a lesson package this year. A local course offers a package of group lessons, 6 hours instruction plus five rounds off-peak, 5 play with the pro on course lessons, 5 range clinic sessions, and club fitting. All for about $200. When I spoke to the pro last year he told me that the on course sessions and weekly range clinics were available all year, no limit, once I started a package.

So, 1) I wanted to start as soon as the weather breaks, early April around here. Get as much out of it as possible. 2) I wanted to come up with a list of goals I want to work on this year. 3) I wanted to develop an inventory of my strengths and weaknesses. This is still a work in progress, input is welcome. I'm going to flesh out the outline topics a bit as well. I'd be interested in any goals you may have for the year too.

Swing Goals

Shorten up my back-swing, stop over-rotating

Improve my finish position, finish upright and balanced

Move bottom of swing arc in front of the ball

Improve shot making, draw and fade with more control


Playing Goals

Calibrate club distances, identify and resolve distance gaps/overlaps

Improve Greens in Regulation, now 2 to 4 per round, goal 5 to 7 - 3 out of 4 on par 3's

Improve 2 putts from over 20 feet, improve 1 putts from 8 feet


Strengths/Weaknesses

Putting, (S)I like my putter and my putting stroke,I have good speed control on flat and medium distance putts, I can feel a good putt when I hit it, I have confidence standing over most putts. (W)Very poor with long putts with lots of break. Need to learn to read grain, slope, and double breaks better.

Ball Striking, (S)Getting much better distance and direction from my driver. I'm in or near the fairway a lot more and with more distance as well. My grip pressure and arm tension are much better. (W)Fairway woods are weak, 3 wood very inconsistent 5 wood better. Mid to short irons, better distance but awful direction control.

Mental Approach, Strength overall, I've learned to leave the last shot in the past. When I hit a great shot I enjoy the moment and move on to the next tee. When I don't, hey I've hit enough bad shots I just shake my head and move on. The only weakness I've noticed is sometimes I'll get on a roll, start hitting one good shot after another and a little voice in my head will start nagging. "You aren't this good, You're going to screw it up" and sure enough I do. I need to find a way to tell that guy to shut up and go bother somebody else.