what are your golf goals? short and longterm.

**hubijerk** · 08-09-2005

at the beginning of the season, after a 1 year layoff ( i injured my wrist at states and couldnt play,r lost interest) i set a few goals, 1st goal was to rebuild a simple, function oriented set of clubs that wouldnt hold back my improvement (as i wasnt crazy about my set, and i sold a few clubs out of it), goal met. next goal was to improve my focus and concentration on the course, goal met, though i am constantly working to improve that. and finally handicap, my goal is to get to scratch by fall, im well on my way to that.......

what are some of your goals? and what are you doing to reach them?

**TheLastDon** · 08-09-2005

27 yrs. old and finally committed to working on my game this year after about 5 where I was a 2-3 time a year golfer. Had a 8 handicap or so at the beginning of the season, and have gotten it down to near scratch (Under 2) at this point. In process of updating my set and working on improving my game to pure scratch or better before winter sets in. Considering finally taking lessons for first time in my life.

Get my ass into the gym and get in shape, continue through next spring and make a run at all the Amateur tourneys. If make good showing, and can get to +3 or better hcp. will consider going to next step.

I finally came to the conclusion that if I didn't do it now, I never would and I'd always question how good I could have been.

**bethpage caddy** · 08-09-2005

My short term goals are to tune my swing so I can find one that I get good results from and I can repeat without too much effort.

My long term goals is to get down to scratch, win some amateur tourneys (defending my title here in October at Bethpage ;) ), and play Div 1 or 2 golf in college. After that, I'll play mostly for recreation, or depending on how good of a player I develop into, I'll play in some tourneys after college.

However, my BIGGEST long term goal is to win the New York State Open, which is held on the Black course.

**ploya** · 08-09-2005

My main goal is to get my handicap down under 5 somewhere and hopefully down to scratch after that. My dream is to shoot under par some day. I am an 8 handicap now. I know I am going to need to work on my short game and putting the most, as well as get a consistent ball flight dialed in for more than 2 weeks at a time.

**bethpage caddy** · 08-09-2005

Originally Posted by Benguk

My short term goal is to rock the Met PGA, already won once, long term is to play college golf with a scolorship or just earning a spot and then Nationwide Tour which is my main goal, after that it really depends. I have 10 more years until i can turn pro after 4 or 5 years in college. I know only like .001 percent of people that play golf are in a tour, but its what I want to do.

I'll second that, I'd like to play a couple events on the Nationwide Tour, but all the while have my teaching degree to fall back on.

My ideal golf goal, would be to turn pro, and retire to Bethpage as an assistant pro, and stay there with all my people for the rest of my life. Give lessons at the range.

Oh and I would try and qualify for the US. Open every year, knowing I won't make it, just because it would be fun.

Ahh golf. The possibilities.

**Benguk** · 08-09-2005

My short term goal is to rock the Met PGA, already won once, long term is to play college golf with a scolorship or just earning a spot and then Nationwide Tour which is my main goal, after that it really depends. I have 10 more years until i can turn pro after 4 or 5 years in college. I know only like .001 percent of people that play golf are in a tour, but its what I want to do.

**Benguk** · 08-09-2005

Originally Posted by bethpage caddy

I'll second that, I'd like to play a couple events on the Nationwide Tour, but all the while have my teaching degree to fall back on.

My ideal golf goal, would be to turn pro, and retire to Bethpage as an assistant pro, and stay there with all my people for the rest of my life. Give lessons at the range.

Oh and I would try and qualify for the US. Open every year, knowing I won't make it, just because it would be fun.

Ahh golf. The possibilities.

dont stomp on my dreams

**College Golf** · 08-09-2005

For you up and coming college players don't forget your grades! College coaches have a ton of kids to pick from and a very good GPA may mean you get the call over a better player. It all starts your freshman year in high school.

I know you hate to hear it but take it from me; I'm an average mid to low 70 player from the tips, but I had a good GPA and a clean school record.

**Mward2002** · 08-09-2005

No offense Ben, but he wasn't dream stomping. He was agreeing with you 100% He was just saying that HE would try and qualify for the US open but most likely have no chance.

**RGertner1** · 08-09-2005

My goals were rather simple, get serious about learning proper swing instead of my hozzle abusing basebal swing - Done, I've been taking lessons for the past month and my swing has completely changed. I also have been hitting about 200 balls per day trying to get as much of my new swing as automatic as I can in such a short period of time.

My second goal was to pick up a new set of clubs - Done, my Instructor hooked me up with some great clubs that I normally wouldn't have even considered purchasing.

So now I have 2 goals. To be able to gain more control over distance as I really can tell the difference between 150y and 180y as far as club selection, swing, and just plain sight.

My second is putting. I just cannot read the greens. My buddies are always talking about here is the break, etc. To me, when I look at it, it basically just looks flat.

Thanks,

**TMAC** · 08-09-2005

My goal is to somehow kick Mr Parkinson's ass!! Then all else will fall into place...

**Benguk** · 08-10-2005

Originally Posted by College Golf

For you up and coming college players don't forget your grades! College coaches have a ton of kids to pick from and a very good GPA may mean you get the call over a better player. It all starts your freshman year in high school.

I know you hate to hear it but take it from me; I'm an average mid to low 70 player from the tips, but I had a good GPA and a clean school record.

yea, i want to try to get into a very good college anyways if I dont make it past college golf

**mpkelley20** · 08-10-2005

My goal is to start shooting in the 70's again. I played to a 6 handicap when I was in high school and college (so no real expectations of turning pro!) but dropped to about a 12 once I got a job, got married and bought a house. I only play 10 to 15 times a year now an consistently shoot in the low 80's. I just need to drop about 3 measily shots a round to get back into the 70's again....however, it seems no matter how hard I try, I always have those skulled chips or 3 putts that just kill me score. But, I keep trying!

**PA Jayhawk** · 08-10-2005

At this point, I just want to get back to where I was a few years ago, and would be extatic should that happen. I always have a few lingering around Hole-in-one, Hitting a par 5 in two and holding the green been over, left and right more times than I care to remember. I accomplished one last weekend which may have been the start of getting back to where I was before. Should have been a simple goal for me but took 2 years and about 10 rounds. There is a course up here that is fairly tough, out of all of the courses that I have played more than one time since starting golf, it was the only one that I had not broken 100 after more than one attempt. And although seems small, is something I have been very proud of. Last weekend it finally happened. After about 10 rounds of 105~120 golf rounds, having doubled 16, I went to 17 needing bogie~bogie for 99. There is water in front of the green on 17, and all the way down the right side on 18. Flew the green and bogied 17, went to 18 got on in 3 about 25 feet from the pin thinking no 3 putt, trying to block out the thought of 4 putt. Dropped the 25 footer for birdie and the gallery went nuts. Well, my wife and two friends said nice putt, if you call them a gallery.

Once that happened I reverted back to setting my current goal on just getting back into the 80's, which hasn't happened since May 10th. I usually set my scoring goals 5 strokes at a time to make them more meaningful. Years ago I had acheived 75 twice, and figured I may never hit 70. Now I can start that process again.

Getting down to a single digit was my goal back then, now that seems a long ways off. Fun part about golf. If I ever drop my goals and do not find new ones, I would probably quit the game.

**ironman** · 08-10-2005

learn to be accurate with all 12 irons, #1~LW, and the "Spoon" 3 wood, then the driver. Figure out how to three putt or better, everytime. Figure out if a hybird club is for me. Decide on a new or newer used forged muscle blade set of irons (670, Apex FTX, or MP-33) to buy, even though I'm a mere beginner. Enjoy "social" golfing with family and friends. Assist my wife and son inbecoming proficient in golf while having a good time playing with me, occasionally. Break: 100 by December 2005, 90 by June 2006, then 80 by June 2007.

Take all four series of Nike Learning Golf Class with the same pro. Take some private lesson(s), as needed. Play 18-holes once a week and practice once or twice a week. Read all the golf classics. I know i learn best if i regularly practice at least four times a week, like i did to build the basics of hapkido kara-te & cycling, that i have been doing for over a decade.

Somehow, also find some time to maintain my other two hobbies (mountain biking and hapkido) while advancing at career and balancing relationships with family and frriends.

**golf-addict** · 08-10-2005

If I can get to focus on every shot on the course, I might get steady. Notice if I intensely focus on the lie, stare at the ball at address, check the target, I 'd hit the shot I have in mind. Pretty hard to do though, lose focus about 1 out 3-4 shots, where I only smack about the target, not at the target, or didn't check the lie carefully. It's easy to get mentally tired though. Setting up routine like Ben Crane might be quite extreme, but that shows how focus one has to be constantly. Analyzing and thinking about every shot like Tiger's ad are likely true for every good player.

Same goes to range too, for the shot I lose focus either on the ball or target, I'd swing it wild. For the shots around the green, if I stare at the portion of the ball I want to pick it up, I normally get it; if I thought just smack it out and see what happen, even with right stance and swing, would leave the shot to odds. Kind of like you get what you ask for.

Maybe just not wired to do things as complicated as golf, always have to work hard on it, on every shot to earn it, not as talented or spontaneously for sure. So can only expect the slow improvement over times

**dorkman53** · 08-10-2005

I've already achieved the goals I set out to accomplish about 3 years ago, and have in fact exceeded them. I'll have to think about future goals. 3 or 4 years ago, I wanted to average in the 80's (I then averaged in the 90's, with frequent rounds in the upper 80's.) I took some lessons, got equipment that fits me better, and now I'm averaging in the mid 80's. Then I had the goal for the past 2 years of breaking 80. I almost got there last year, but this was the breakthrough year. I took some more lessons and was helped greatly on the short game. I broke 80 several months ago, and have now had multiple rounds in the high 70's, with the lowest at 77. My index is now sitting at 9.1, which is lower than I ever dreamed possible a few years ago.
My goals now would be really difficult to achieve, but would have to involve increasing my driver distance by more lessons, and maximizing the spin/trajectory/flex/kickpoint issues so as to increase my carry and overall distance. Then it might be conceiveable to play a scratch round, which would be my next goal. Frankly, I don't know if I'll ever get there, but nothing is impossible on the right day.

**Horseballs** · 08-10-2005

My goals are always the same for each round.
Break 80 (on a par 72)
1 or less 3 putts
1 or less double bogies
1 or less penalties
Even or better on par 5's
2 or more birdies
8 or better fairways
10 or better greens
Up and down 50% or better
If I ever get all of these in a single round (which I never have), they represent 4 over par. I've been 4 over and less a few times, but have never met all my goals in a single round.
The good thing is that I'll usually make at least one of my goals on most rounds.

Long term, find that magical number of beers per round, that allow me to have fun but still shoot a decent score. I'm thinking that number is somewhere between 4 and 6. I'll be researching on Saturday...

**Montagle** · 08-10-2005

My only real golf goal is to learn to hit the ball at about 70 percent of the distance as listed by members here in the yardage thread. At 70 percent of the distance listed in that thread I would be in the top ten on tour in most catergories.

I have had 3 aces, won trophies, competed at the highest level of amateur golf in my state.

None of that matters compared to my desire to get my yardages in line with the gang here.

I need to run now and work on my 245 yard 3 iron.

**ce_me_golf** · 08-10-2005

Originally Posted by hubijerk

at the beginning of the season, after a 1 year layoff ( i injured my wrist at states and couldnt play,r lost interest) i set a few goals, 1st goal was to rebuild a simple, function oriented set of clubs that wouldnt hold back my improvement (as i wasnt crazy about my set, and i sold a few clubs out of it), goal met. next goal was to improve my focus and concentration on the course, goal met, though i am constantly working to improve that. and finally handicap, my goal is to get to scratch by fall, im well on my way to that.......

what are some of your goals? and what are you doing to reach them?

My long term goal is to be the best golfer than I can be. My short term goal is to improve my ball striking with my irons, and to be more consistent with my driver and fairway woods in terms of accuracy.

I've done a lot of work in the past month to improve my setup and , posture and as result I'm starting to get much more consistent with my irons. I'm also working on the setup, tempo and backswing for my driver and woods. In my last round I saw some light at the end of the tunnel but I'm not there yet. I go to the range three times a week. I've decided to devote one of those pratice sessions exclusively to working on driver, fairway woods and hybrids.

**Benguk** · 08-10-2005

Originally Posted by Besson

My only real golf goal is to learn to hit the ball at about 70 percent of the distance as listed by members here in the yardage thread. At 70 percent of the distance listed in that thread I would be in the top ten on tour in most catergories.

I have had 3 aces, won trophies, competed at the highest level of amateur golf in my state.

None of that matters compared to my desire to get my yardages in line with the gang here.

I need to run now and work on my 245 yard 3 iron.

is this a joke/semi-joke?