• 15 November 2024
• 204 Views
• by Stuart Reynolds

Planning makes perfect

Tip from the top: golfretreats.com head coach Stuart Reynolds focuses on the importance of having an improvement plan in place and now is a great time of year to do it…

Winter is the time to regroup and set new golfing goals for the coming year on the course.

With time being so limited for most people we need to make sure that every minute spent on the practice ground has value. Ask yourself this – is what I’m doing right now, leading me to successfully achieving my goal(s)?

It’s ok BTW to have two or more goals. You may even have an outrageous goal, the wildest thing you can think of. Aim for the stars – look at your current goals and aim even higher!

If that’s the ‘what I want to achieve’ part established now look at the elements of your game that need to improve to make the biggest difference to your game. This is best measured by cold hard facts. Look at the stats from your most recent rounds. If this information isn’t readily available, then a gut feeling is a great backup until you’ve logged some key measures. For example, you might feel you need to hit more fairways or greens or make less three putts. You might want to log how many times you get the ball into play off the tee during the course of a round etc. Once key improvement areas are identified it’s then time to allocate focus and effort to each objective.

Fundamentally, the majority of golfers will still practice in the same (usually quite aimless) way they always have and sadly they will continue to get the same results they always have too. 

Why not make 2025 different by creating a new plan. Remember that golf is about more than just a swing, so be sure to work on improving all the core skills that make a good golfer:

• Physical
• Technical
• Mental
• Emotional
• Social and love for the game

Getting it done

When you’re putting your golf improvement plan together, it’s important to have a number of different levels to your plan.

The BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) 

It may seem unobtainable but having a long-term wild, crazy goal will help motivate you to keep moving forwards. Perhaps you want to drive the ball 350+ yards, perhaps you want to play the tour one day…? Make your BHAG outrageous! The bigger the better, so dream big! 

Timeframe: Over the next three years, maybe even over the next decade I want to…

Performance Goal

A step in the right direction that is measurable but something you may have no direct total control over i.e. To win the Club Championship or play for your county team. 

Timeframe: Within the next 12 months I will…

Process Goal 

These are the building blocks of improvement. Individual elements that will take you closer to your performance goal. These are smaller measurable goals that once again help with motivation as you see positive return on your time. 

Timeframe: Every weekly and/or every month, I’m going to…

Daily Goals

The time you spend daily, part of the process but cut this up into smaller manageable chunks. What you practice you will get good at! You just need to make sure that everything you do has value and takes you one step closer. 

Timeframe: Each day and/or each week I will…

Write these goals down and track progress regularly. Build up a log each time your practice one of the five core skill areas. Monitor your stats and watch as your scores improve. Remember to celebrate your progress. Don’t be put off by dips in performance – these are only temporary. This is the long game you’re playing here, and I promise you, if you persevere with your plan you will see improvement…

Let me know how you get on – good luck!

Stu – Head coach, golfretreats.com

Find out more about Stu

www.golfretreats.com is NOT a conventional golf trip company. We create high quality, guided coaching experiences to help all player abilities progress their golf game in a fun and enjoyable way. 

We’re passionate about what we do and the people we do it for. Our promise to you is that at the end of your stay, you will go home a better golfer.