2024 Season Goals - What Say You?

[GolfSpy_KFT]

For those of us living in the colder climates in the US, as well as globally where your season is not year round, the end of the 2023 golf season is rapidly approaching. I pose two questions to you: Did you accomplish your 2023 season goals? What are your 2024 season goals?

I'll start things off with my 2023 season goals:

• Goal #1: Break 90 - MET
• Goal #2: End the season below a 20 HDCP - MET
• Goal #3: Par every hole at my home course - In progress...so close!

I was able to accomplish goal #1 during the Cobra challenge, shooting an 88 on a Par 70 course where I played quite a few of my rounds. It was not my home course, but essentially a "home away from home" as I have played it many times with it being in close proximity to my in-laws cabin. I had never legitimately broken 100 before this year, so this was a MASSIVE accomplishment. I posted two other sub 90 rounds this year as well, but both were combined 9 hole scores of the front/back of my home course, so I put an asterisk on those. Still, a large accomplishment, with my most recent a combined score 81, shooting a 41 on the front 9 this week Monday and a 40 on the back 9 the following day.

I was also able to accomplish goal #2 just this week, dropping my handicap to a 16.1 following my combined round 81. A -2 exceptional score was added to the differential of that round, and all other rounds used to calculate my handicap currently. I am the most proud of this goal BY FAR, as I started this season as a 30.3 handicap. I have never carried an official handicap before this season.

For my third goal, I have carded a par on every hole except for hole #7. I will have potentially a few more chances to accomplish this one, but it is in danger of not being met. I am hoping to cross this one off as well, but if not, it is ok.

 

For 2024, my goals will closely mirror my 2023 season. The biggest challenge I will face in 2024 is the uncertainty of how much golf I will be able to play. The course where I have had a membership this year is increasing it's fees by 18%, and it is uncertain right now whether or not I'll be renewing my membership for 2024. If this is the case, posting scores and lowering my HDCP will be a challenge. I am working on possibly getting a part time job in the Pro Shop, which would come with a membership benefit, so that would be great.

• Goal #1: Consistently score in the 80s
  • I would REALLY like to break 80, and I believe I can, but that seems like possibly an overreaching goal for next year. If I can consistently score in the 80s next year, I would be thrilled with that. I know that I can do it, now I just need to get it done.
• Goal #2: HDCP to 12-13
  • Again, this will be dependent on whether or not I am able to post enough scores to continue dropping my HDCP. When I was working on goals for next year, my target was 15. That is when I was at a 20. Now that I am at a 16.1, I am shooting for the 12-13 range as I know dropping it once you get lower becomes more difficult
• Goal #3: Par every hole on my home course, birdie 50% or better
• Goal #4: Make the alternate shot playoff round in the annual member/guest tournament
• Goal #5: Play in my course's Club Championship

I could continue on with goals, but other things I want to work on are just that, continuing to develop my ball striking and swing consistencies. I will leave those off of this list for now.

 

Looking forward to hearing what everyone else is hoping to accomplish in 2024!

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

 Thanks for starting this thread!

2023 Goals (I thought I put them down some where but can't find them, so going off of memory)

Break 90: Push as I shot 90 on combining 2 nines in a week

Had several rounds where combined nines were in low 90s and week I hit 90 on the head. 

Handicap below 20: Win, barely!

19.4 as of now. Down from a high of 22 earlier in the year. Technically reporting ends Nov 31 here in OR but I am likely not able to play many more rounds

P Avg Driver distance of >275 yards: Win, barely!

276 for the year. Speed training and swing work really paid off.  If you look how my last 15 nines finished the year, I am 283 so I killed it then.

 

2024 Goals:

Break 80 on 2 combined nines and break 90 in a tournament

In my one tournament this year, I was on track to break 100 if not for my driver shaft COG breaking on me. I know I can do it. As for breaking 80 on two combined nines, it is a lofty goal but I feel if I learn my game better, I should be able to manage the course enough to make it happen.

Get my handicap below 15

Continuous work on my swing and course management and meditation. Really hope the game just starts to flow with me. Along with this, I want to get my GIR up 20 40%. 2023 was 21%. 

Have a 3-putt % <10%

I finished 2023 on average of 20% which is terrible. A lot of it was distance control issues that I really grinded on the last half of the year. The other is technique which I am working on now and the offseason in hopes I stop pulling putts left.

Bonus: Take my daughter out for a couple rounds

Just to spend daddy/daughter time. We love being outdoors together and I hope as she gets older she doesn't mind walking more.

Bonus 2: Keep having fun everytime I golf.

My wellness and meditation Journey have really helped me calm my emotions and manage my expectations on the course. If I have a bad round, I remember to just enjoy nature, the sun rise, just being out of the house. Makes the game more enjoyable and not a chore (which it shouldn't be, its our hobby!)

Edited October 26, 2023 by Vegan_Golfer_PNW

[BLD7]

Good thread!

My primary goal for 2024 is to be more consistent! I finished this season as a 6.8 hdcp so the definition of consistent might seem odd. While I regularly break 80, I continue to have rounds seemingly out of nowhere that score in the 85 range. Usually there is some penalty or penalties involved or one aspect of the game is completely gone that particular round.

For a working stiff, practicing can be difficult, especially with family, kids, all other responsibilities, but I'd also like to reduce my handicap to 5 or less.

Finally, my youngest (14) has taken an interest in the game, this season we played together maybe twice a month - he's involved in many extracurricular activities, but I'm hoping to find a way to play golf with him once a week.

Brian

[GolfSpy_KFT]

1 hour ago, BLD7 said:

Good thread!

My primary goal for 2024 is to be more consistent! I finished this season as a 6.8 hdcp so the definition of consistent might seem odd. While I regularly break 80, I continue to have rounds seemingly out of nowhere that score in the 85 range. Usually there is some penalty or penalties involved or one aspect of the game is completely gone that particular round.

For a working stiff, practicing can be difficult, especially with family, kids, all other responsibilities, but I'd also like to reduce my handicap to 5 or less.

Finally, my youngest (14) has taken an interest in the game, this season we played together maybe twice a month - he's involved in many extracurricular activities, but I'm hoping to find a way to play golf with him once a week.

Brian

Welcome to the forum @BLD7! Always happy to see another member of the #Leftygang

I know well where you’re coming from on the aspect of finding time for practice, with two kiddos (6 & 3) myself. Both of them are already interested in the game and as we live on the course, they went out with me many times this year to play a few holes here and there in the evenings. Nothing better than getting to share the love of the game with family.

Sounds like you had a great year finishing in the single digit hdcp range!

[SKMacintosh]

Great thread. Maybe writing down what is in my head will actually help it happen! 

Goal One - use winter to stretch more and do indoor exercise so I can hit ground running in April

Goal Two - see my pro a few times in late winter to work on hitting better iron shots, lose too many strokes with so so mid irons

Goal Three - hopefully goals one and two allow me to break into seventies a bit more often.

Good luck to everyone in reaching their goals, am sure we will all be 100%

[Beakbryce]

My goals next year are the same as this year, mostly. 

1. Get up in the morning (I'm 71, my dad is 94 so not really a worry there!)

2. Play golf

3. Have fun.

4. Add a pitch shot to my short game. 

This was a very good year. Shot 67, ok sure- moved up a tee but still... Became an MGS tester. Helped my wife whose handicap is coming down. Through hard work and a lot of repetition, fixed my putting yips.

Anything more than that will have to wait until January 1. I am one of the few who can play all year around so have another couple of months for more cool things to happen on the course. Will have to pitch most of next month instead of chipping because the course will be shaggy while the rye grass is allowed to grow.

 

[Dweed]

13 hours ago, BLD7 said:

Good thread!

My primary goal for 2024 is to be more consistent! I finished this season as a 6.8 hdcp so the definition of consistent might seem odd. While I regularly break 80, I continue to have rounds seemingly out of nowhere that score in the 85 range. Usually there is some penalty or penalties involved or one aspect of the game is completely gone that particular round.

For a working stiff, practicing can be difficult, especially with family, kids, all other responsibilities, but I'd also like to reduce my handicap to 5 or less.

Finally, my youngest (14) has taken an interest in the game, this season we played together maybe twice a month - he's involved in many extracurricular activities, but I'm hoping to find a way to play golf with him once a week.

Brian

Brian, welcome to the forum. Alway great to see another Michigander on the threads. I hope you get as much out of it as I have. Please do continue with input. It is appreciated. Welcome.

[Josh Parker]

I have been thinking about this recently and even though my season doesn't really end, I am going to put my 2024 goals in writing and be able to come back to this and see what happened.

2024 Goals

1. Fix the driver yips

2. Handicap of 4 or less

3. Shoot under 70 (have shot 70 once years ago)

4. Play in a couple local tournaments 

[BLD7]

On 10/27/2023 at 7:47 AM, Jnoble89 said:

Welcome to the forum @BLD7! Always happy to see another member of the #Leftygang

I know well where you’re coming from on the aspect of finding time for practice, with two kiddos (6 & 3) myself. Both of them are already interested in the game and as we live on the course, they went out with me many times this year to play a few holes here and there in the evenings. Nothing better than getting to share the love of the game with family.

Sounds like you had a great year finishing in the single digit hdcp range!

Real happy to be here @Jnoble89 I don't live on a course and am not a member of a club so I've learned to get creative with practice. Whether that be the putting mat at the house (one in my office and another putting area in the yard) or finding local spots where I can get on a sim, I try to get practice in when/where I can and make it count when I do. Certainly love being able to include the family in golf! And yes love being able to represent the lefty's. I've been known to seek out other southpaw's at courses when I see them playing. I just come over introduce myself and say hi. Sometimes I get goofy looks, which is ok. I just tell em I wanted them to know there is another lefty on the course. Ha!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

30 minutes ago, BLD7 said:

Real happy to be here @Jnoble89 I don't live on a course and am not a member of a club so I've learned to get creative with practice. Whether that be the putting mat at the house (one in my office and another putting area in the yard) or finding local spots where I can get on a sim, I try to get practice in when/where I can and make it count when I do. Certainly love being able to include the family in golf! And yes love being able to represent the lefty's. I've been known to seek out other southpaw's at courses when I see them playing. I just come over introduce myself and say hi. Sometimes I get goofy looks, which is ok. I just tell em I wanted them to know there is another lefty on the course. Ha!

If you ever find yourself over in Wisconsin for the 2024 season, reach out! I would love to play together. I may try and throw some feelers out for a one day spies meetup next season for our upper Midwest cohort of members as well. Nothing set in stone or concrete yet, but the idea has been floating around in my head!

[cnosil]

4 hours ago, jdparker said:

2024 Goals

1. Fix the driver yips

2. Handicap of 4 or less

3. Shoot under 70 (have shot 70 once years ago)

4. Play in a couple local tournaments 

My goals are similar to yours.

1. handicap of 4 or less.

2. Score in the 60s.  70 is personal best. Probably short game, green reading and reducing doubles related. 

3. play more golf.  Need to balance most wanted testing and some after work 9s.  This will probably help achieve 1 and 2. 

Edited October 30, 2023 by cnosil

[Josh Parker]

3 minutes ago, cnosil said:

My goals are similar to yours.

1. handicap of 4 or less.

2. Score in the 60s.  70 is personal best. Probably short game, green reading and reducing doubles related. 

3. play more golf.  Need to balance most wanted testing and some after work 9s.  This will probably help achieve 1 and 2. 

Yes!  

[barney_bogey]

Love it. Writing it down makes it real.

1. Increase FIR - requires attention to driver swing with a professional.

2. Decrease 3putts - requires greater percentage of practice time with the flat stick. Possibly a putter fitting?

3. Play more with my father. He's getting up there in age and regrets are ruthless.

B

[Goober]

Keep trusting my lesson swing on the course. May have a good strike or a bad one. But in the end will keep on going with what I was shown. It’s a true process 

[Dweed]

2024 Goals:  

1. Enjoy, enjoy no matter what.

2. Try to maintain my current handicap. I realize as I age I am loosing some yardage. I might need to move forward and that's OK.

3. Maintain my Fairways hit at 60%.

4. Increase my GIR to 50%+. This past season I was able to increase it to 44%.

5. Reduce 3-putts to no more than one per round.  Currently it is 1.5 I started late tracking. But it is one I want to work on.

Edited November 2, 2023 by Dweed

[GolfSpy_BEN]

2023 goals:

1) handicap down to 5 - Finished the season at 1.6

2) Break 70 - Shot a 69

3) Stay relatively healthy -

2024 goals: 

1) handicap down to scratch or better

2) Break 65

3) Stay relatively healthy

4) Enter and compete in an amateur tournament.

It will be fun to check on these at this time next year. Good luck to all with their goals. May 2024 be the year of wild success for us all

[Josh Parker]

@Ben Joest some good goals!  Need to do a mid point check in on everyone's goals.  

[GolfSpy_KFT]

On 10/30/2023 at 6:46 PM, barney_bogey said:

Love it. Writing it down makes it real.

1. Increase FIR - requires attention to driver swing with a professional.

2. Decrease 3putts - requires greater percentage of practice time with the flat stick. Possibly a putter fitting?

3. Play more with my father. He's getting up there in age and regrets are ruthless.

B
 

@barney_bogey absolutely LOVE goal #3, man. "regrets are ruthless" is now a phrase that has been burned into my mind and will stay engrained there. I needed to see that today, thanks. 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

1 hour ago, jdparker said:

@Ben Joest some good goals!  Need to do a mid point check in on everyone's goals.  

@jdparker great idea. I will create an excel file with everyone's goals for 2024 after a little while longer here and set a reminder to check in/revive this thread at the midpoint of next season in case it gets lost in the offseason shuffle. 

[Josh Parker]

Just now, Jnoble89 said:

@jdparker great idea. I will create an excel file with everyone's goals for 2024 after a little while longer here and set a reminder to check in/revive this thread at the midpoint of next season in case it gets lost in the offseason shuffle. 

Love it!  Keep everyone motivated and pushing for their goals. 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Link to 2024 season goals:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FhZsoENzc0erToshJ28h6e_OYPOfluHHbc3Ac1mV6n0/edit?usp=sharing

For those who have not written them down yet in the thread, feel free to add them to the doc! We will revisit them at the midway point of 2024. This way, you can also add/update goals as the season progresses!

[GolfSpy AFG]

Love the thread Jason; great idea.

For me, 2023 was almost a total bust of a golf season.  I had some medical challenges, work challenges, had to move mid-summer, you name it.  I had to move in the summer of 2022 too, so I honestly feel like I've been stuck in neutral for 2 seasons now.

But, things are looking up.  I am pretty confident my medical challenges are slowly fading away, I'm not moving for a couple years at least, and my wife and I joined a country club...all the reason to play more next year.

So, no real 2023 goals to post here, and I'll get into the how in my separate thread, but here would be my 2024 goals:

1. Reduce handicap from 7.0 to 3.5 or lower.

2. Gain clubhead speed to a playing speed of 115+

3. Break par for 18 holes, and/or break par for 9 holes at least 3 times.

4. Enter and compete well in at least 2 stroke play club tournaments.

I'll update the spreadsheet now.  Thanks again Jason!

[IndyBonzo]

Just a super thread.  Thank you for this @Jnoble89!

My 2023 goals were:

1.  Break 80 -- Nope.  I have shot 80s and 81s, but my only sub-80 rounds have been combined 9 hole scores, and I am choosing not to count those.

2.  Single Digit Handicap -- Yes.  I am down to a 9.3 presently.  To be able to have this handicap, but not break 80, strikes me as incredibly odd.  But I will keep fighting.

3.  Play lots more golf -- YES!.  No question on this one.  This was a great golfing year, and I learned so very much, primarily thanks to MGS and this forum.  Thank you to all of you here for that.

 

2024 goals:

1.  Fairways hit 50% or better.

2.  GIR 50% or better.

3.  Break 75.

4.  Handicap at 5 or better.

5.  Stop tinkering with club choices.  Pick my clubs and learn to play them as best I can.

5.  Play at least as much golf as 2023!

I had the early winter blues already this morning, but with these goals set now, I am starting to already look forward to 2024!

[Stuka44]

My goals at this point do not change.  

Play as much golf as I can with my brothers, or whomever I can, try to shoot the lowest scores possible each and every time out, practice when I can, and at the end of the 18 holes, BE UTTERLY UNCONCERNED, WITH THE SCORE!

 

[sirchunksalot]

This is a really good thread, Jason and you've had me thinking about it for a while. I would say my goals for 2024 are:

Play more: my 2023 session has been a bust with the exception of being involved in the Cobra Anniversary Challenge. Having an injury that knocked me out afterward has honestly been a bummer. I was in the midst of playing some of the best golf I've played in a long time and missing out on the last 3 1/2 months has really hurt psychologically. 

Play more with friends: I was on a pretty good clip earlier in the season getting out and enjoying the game with friends and want to improve on that next year. I love playing solo golf, but there's something about having others out on the course with you is special. There's one guy at work who has just taken up laying again after a very long layoff that I'm dying to get out with. 

Play a few more new to me courses: This year I think the only course I played for the first time was Fall Creek Falls. I'm already thinking about how I want to finally play Nob North and a friend brought to my attention a course in Kodak called Island Point. They both look awesome.

I don't really have any scoring goals other than to continue to get back to the level I was in 2019 when I was sometimes scoring in the 90's.

[Shrek74]

On 10/26/2023 at 12:25 PM, Jnoble89 said:

For those of us living in the colder climates in the US, as well as globally where your season is not year round, the end of the 2023 golf season is rapidly approaching. I pose two questions to you: Did you accomplish your 2023 season goals? What are your 2024 season goals?

I'll start things off with my 2023 season goals:

• Goal #1: Break 90 - MET
• Goal #2: End the season below a 20 HDCP - MET
• Goal #3: Par every hole at my home course - In progress...so close!

I was able to accomplish goal #1 during the Cobra challenge, shooting an 88 on a Par 70 course where I played quite a few of my rounds. It was not my home course, but essentially a "home away from home" as I have played it many times with it being in close proximity to my in-laws cabin. I had never legitimately broken 100 before this year, so this was a MASSIVE accomplishment. I posted two other sub 90 rounds this year as well, but both were combined 9 hole scores of the front/back of my home course, so I put an asterisk on those. Still, a large accomplishment, with my most recent a combined score 81, shooting a 41 on the front 9 this week Monday and a 40 on the back 9 the following day.

I was also able to accomplish goal #2 just this week, dropping my handicap to a 16.1 following my combined round 81. A -2 exceptional score was added to the differential of that round, and all other rounds used to calculate my handicap currently. I am the most proud of this goal BY FAR, as I started this season as a 30.3 handicap. I have never carried an official handicap before this season.

For my third goal, I have carded a par on every hole except for hole #7. I will have potentially a few more chances to accomplish this one, but it is in danger of not being met. I am hoping to cross this one off as well, but if not, it is ok.

 

For 2024, my goals will closely mirror my 2023 season. The biggest challenge I will face in 2024 is the uncertainty of how much golf I will be able to play. The course where I have had a membership this year is increasing it's fees by 18%, and it is uncertain right now whether or not I'll be renewing my membership for 2024. If this is the case, posting scores and lowering my HDCP will be a challenge. I am working on possibly getting a part time job in the Pro Shop, which would come with a membership benefit, so that would be great.

• Goal #1: Consistently score in the 80s
  • I would REALLY like to break 80, and I believe I can, but that seems like possibly an overreaching goal for next year. If I can consistently score in the 80s next year, I would be thrilled with that. I know that I can do it, now I just need to get it done.
• Goal #2: HDCP to 12-13
  • Again, this will be dependent on whether or not I am able to post enough scores to continue dropping my HDCP. When I was working on goals for next year, my target was 15. That is when I was at a 20. Now that I am at a 16.1, I am shooting for the 12-13 range as I know dropping it once you get lower becomes more difficult
• Goal #3: Par every hole on my home course, birdie 50% or better

I could continue on with goals, but other things I want to work on are just that, continuing to develop my ball striking and swing consistencies. I will leave those off of this list for now.

 

Looking forward to hearing what everyone else is hoping to accomplish in 2024!

Congrats on your goals for 2023!! That's a HUGE handicap drop in one year, so it's nice to know it's possible going into next year as I want to drop mine.

I'm digging that "Par Every Hole" goal and I might look into that one this next season. Granted that will be 90 holes I have to get a par on by season's end, but it's doable if I keep to one of my following goals.

I haven't had golf goals at any point in my life as I've never really been in a place (physically, emotionally, personally, etc) where golf was high enough on my list to actually take the time. But now that I'm here in Fairfield Glade, less than 5 miles from my folks (I play with my dad weekly now), and in a place where golf is at the forefront of life (other than work anyway), it's time that I do.

2024 Golf Goals (Penned with Marker)
1. Handicap down to 15 or lower.
2. Average bogey golf or better by year's end (+18 per round or better). This is likely a second half of the year goal for measurement sake.
3. Play 1 round per week and practice 1x per week, whether in the garage or at one of the ranges/putting greens/chipping areas.
4. Break 90 more than I don't. This is likely a second half of the year goal for measurement sake.
5. Be active (walking, lifting, stretching/yoga/pilates) 3x or more per week. Not directly golf-related, but it is.

Couple Penciled goals
1. Par every hole here in the Glade.
     - That's 90 holes across a 25-30 week timeframe (or there abouts), playing once a week rotating through all 5 courses.
          - This may become par all Par4's or all Par 3/5's or something like that. I'll have to think about this one.
2. Play in 1 or 2 tournaments here in the Glade.
     - Never done something like this before, so I'll need to look into it and see what I may have available.

There might be too many or I may be overextending myself with these for the first year of goals, but I'll never know what I'm capable of if I don't push myself. I'll be working on second part of 3 & 5 over the winter already, so those should be easier once the weather is nicer to be outside again.

I'm not going to put any specific data driven goals in this next year as it'll be my first full year with my Shot Scope tracking details. I only tracked 6 rounds this year, so that's not enough data to make any real goals from. If I change my mind, they'll just be added to my penciled goals.

Let's do this!!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Keep those goals coming everyone! And don’t forget to add them to the google doc! If you have trouble with that, shoot me a DM and I can add them in for you!

[Tom the Golf Nut]

2 hours ago, sirchunksalot said:

I want to finally play Nob North and a friend brought to my attention a course in Kodak called Island Point. They both look awesome.

You will like Island Point. It used to be called River Islands. I played it a bunch of times. You have to hit across the river twice. There is an island between the rivers that has a few holes on it. You play a hole or two then hit across the river to the par 3 green. Then play a a hole on the island. Then you hit across another river to the green of another par 3. Then play a bunch of holes on the other side. Eventually play back to the island for another hole or two eventually working your way back to the clubhouse. Bring a few balls!

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Goals for 2024 will be the following:

1) Play more courses. Now that I have the entire NE Coast to cover for work and a lot of my customers play golf, I’m confident that that will easily be accomplished. 
2) Work on gaining some distance back. 
3) Maintain my current handicap.

4) Play more golf with my son and daughter now that they are into golf.

[sirchunksalot]

31 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

You will like Island Point. It used to be called River Islands. I played it a bunch of times. You have to hit across the river twice. There is an island between the rivers that has a few holes on it. You play a hole or two then hit across the river to the par 3 green. Then play a a hole on the island. Then you hit across another river to the green of another par 3. Then play a bunch of holes on the other side. Eventually play back to the island for another hole or two eventually working your way back to the clubhouse. Bring a few balls!

I looked it over on both GolfShot and Google Earth and thought the layout was interesting, especially the par 3's. It looks so fun and I'll definitely take a lot of balls.