When I took up golf on a regular basis in early 2005, I set one goal for my first year - to break 80. I broke 80 for the first time that June, after about 4 months of weekly play. Interestingly, I didn't break 80 again until the following November, my only other sub-80 round that year.

For 2006, it occured to me that perhaps my goals should be more geared towards ongoing improvement instead of achieving only a specific score.

I decided to join the Men's Club at my home course to get tournament experience and set a goal for the year to reduce my index on an ongoing monthly basis and to shoot one round of par golf.

Turns out I achieved each of my goals last year, and more!

I joined the local Men's Club and learned to play as well in competition as I did in recreational rounds, and ended up winning the "Net" Club Championship.

I reduced my index from 10.3 in January to 4.2 in November, and lowered my index each month from the prior month in 8 out of 11 of those months.

Late in the year, I flurted with par several times, shooting 1-over one round and reaching the 18th tee at even par another round, but then double bogied 18. On December 13, with only 2 weeks and a couple rounds left to reach my goal, I shot a 1-under par 71!

I also experienced other significant milestones in 2006 - I shot my first ACE in October, first Eagle in August, and first 9 holes under par in October.

Memorable rounds last year include shooting 3 Birdies in a row during one round and 8 Pars and an Eagle on the back nine during another round in December, shooting a round with 5 birdies in August, 14 GIR in September, 13 Fairways in October, and a streak of 7 rounds under 80 ending in December. I didn't shoot a round over 90 in the entire second half of the year.

In addition to playing 4 new local courses for the first time last year, I also took my first golf vacation. I played 5 courses in Palm Springs in March and 4 courses in Whistler, B.C. in August.

My second year playing golf was quite a success. I increased my frequency of play to twice and sometimes three times per week, along with my enjoyment and passion for the game!

For 2007, my goal is to play more new courses, stretch daily, continue my improvement by reducing my index to 2.0, consistently shoot rounds in the 70's, and shoot my first round of golf under 70!

Labels: About, Disciplines, Goals