We all know that it is important to set goals. Sometimes this is all the instruction we get on the topic. A lot of you may have heard of the study that was done on the Yale 1953 graduating class in which 3% wrote their goals out and 20 years later they had amassed more wealth than the other 97%. This is pretty compelling stuff, but what if we not only wrote our goals down, but looked at them daily, that is, made ourselves accountable to them on a daily basis.
One of the most intriguing things I have read about goals in recent years is the importance of not only setting long-term goals, but also short-term immediate goals that you can make progress on immediately. The following quotes serve to illustrate the rationale:
�Short term goals, such as I want to accomplish 20 push-ups right now will keep us focused and motivated far more than far off idealistic resolutions like I want to win the Olympic Games in 6 years. If we look at the top of the mountain to the distant goal we fail everyday to reach it until we finally do. But if our goal is this next small step in the right direction we succeed again and again and again everyday� (Dan Millman).
�If you are willing to go step-by-step you can reach any goal, no matter how far off it seems by focusing on immediate reachable goals. By defining each small step in the right direction as success you can experience a string of small successes that will keep you moving, motivated, and on track� (Dan Millman).
With that, I invite you to not only write down your long-term and short-term goals, but write down your golf goals here if you are so inclined.
Matt
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"In my experience, if you stay with the essentials you WILL build a repeatable swing undoubtedly. If you can master the Imperatives you have a champion" (Vikram).
The reason you can't sustain the lag is because you are so eager to make the club move fast (a reaction to the intent of "hitting it far"). So on a full shot you throw it away too early, which doesn't happen for your short chip. (bts)
Long-term goal: Qualify for the US Mid Amateur, and play well there.
Short term goals: consistent swing bottom, hit the ball 30 yards further (improve my strength and speed), become a great lag putter, develop the confidence and quality of putting stroke where I feel like I can make every putt inside 8 feet, develop a 'go to' shot that never starts right and never moves left in the air, be able to hit high long irons when I need to, use a stronger grip with more body rotation and less clubface rotation in order to more consistently square up the face at impact.
__________________
"In my experience, if you stay with the essentials you WILL build a repeatable swing undoubtedly. If you can master the Imperatives you have a champion" (Vikram).
The reason you can't sustain the lag is because you are so eager to make the club move fast (a reaction to the intent of "hitting it far"). So on a full shot you throw it away too early, which doesn't happen for your short chip. (bts)
Long term
- play in local amateur tournaments and be competitive
- help my boys to become good golfers if they enjoy golf as they get older
- be as good as I can, and good enough that I can blame it on old age by the time my boys and their cousins start kicking my butt
Short term
- get my swing consistently on the turned shoulder plane
- develop a really good 'stinger' / punch / low show
- hit more fairways with my driver instead of having to use my 3 wood
- get the right equipment
- get my body back into good shape so I can start and finish a round strong
- walk instead of ride
- devote at least some time every day this season to my short game.
- take more money from my brother than I give to him (this may require not letting him speak to Ted and Lynn).
Long term
- play in local amateur tournaments and be competitive
- help my boys to become good golfers if they enjoy golf as they get older
- be as good as I can, and good enough that I can blame it on old age by the time my boys and their cousins start kicking my butt
Short term
- get my swing consistently on the turned shoulder plane
- develop a really good 'stinger' / punch / low show
- hit more fairways with my driver instead of having to use my 3 wood
- get the right equipment
- get my body back into good shape so I can start and finish a round strong
- walk instead of ride
- devote at least some time every day this season to my short game.
- take more money from my brother than I give to him (this may require not letting him speak to Ted and Lynn).
Mike O can fix your brother problem for a small fee or some peanut butter crackers.
Start up my own religion with a call in TV show and take money from the unsuspecting babyboomer set as they become incontinent.
NO, NO, NO! You are doing it all wrong. First, you don't have any short-term goals, second, and perhaps even more importantly, this seemingly has nothing to do with golf. Don't ruin my thread!
__________________
"In my experience, if you stay with the essentials you WILL build a repeatable swing undoubtedly. If you can master the Imperatives you have a champion" (Vikram).
The reason you can't sustain the lag is because you are so eager to make the club move fast (a reaction to the intent of "hitting it far"). So on a full shot you throw it away too early, which doesn't happen for your short chip. (bts)
Improve every area of my game, by acquiring knowledge, testing it and applying what works for me. This includes:
Winter practice: Short game practice (putting, chipping, some pitch shots) indoors as designed by me. Something every day. Full swing practice at the range once a week with video to analyze and determine areas for improvement. This week's areas for improvement include adjustments in posture, focus on maintaining a steady head, experimenting with positioning the ball a little farther away to see what impact it has on plane, and a few other things.
Long Term:
To be the best player I can be, which includes becoming the best player of the "regulars" at my local course.
This requires smart practice (not beating balls), quality instruction, and effective application of the instruction by yours truly.
Hybrid Mode
