My 2024 Golf Goals
I’m standing at my desk watching the snow fall here in Maryland, and it feels like the golf season will never arrive. But in 60 short days, spring will be around the corner, and the golf season will begin. So now is as good a time as any to write down my golf goals for 2024.
If this seems boring, feel free to skip it—no offense taken!
In Edition #28, I discussed better ways to set and achieve your golf goals. Here's a quick reminder:
Write Down Your Goals
Pick Clear, Measurable, and Attainable Goals
Write Down A Few Process Goals for Each Main Goal
Focus on the Process
Relatively simple but effective. So, without further ado…
My Golf Goals for 2024 📋
1) Get my Handicap below 2.0
2) Average 32 Putts a round or better
3) Break 70
Step 1 is accomplished. I listed my three goals both here and in my notes app.
Research shows that you are 20 to 40% more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down.
Step 2 is done as well. Each goal is clear, measurable, and reasonably close to my current averages. It’s crucial that the goal can be measured. Vague goals will make it hard to get a feedback loop. Also, the goal must be within reach, or you’ll become discouraged and possibly play worse or give up. Remember, you can always adjust your goal again if you achieve it.
On to Step 3…
Process Goals
How will we achieve these goals? What is within our control? What will we do to achieve our main goals?
I use the Arccos caddie system, which tracks shots gained data for every aspect of my game. This data is a huge asset as it helps me identify areas for improvement.
Last year, my issues were fairly consistent. Driving the ball was my biggest asset at +2.4 Shots Gained over a scratch golfer. But approach shots (-1.9), short game (-0.9), and putting (-2.6) were all areas with room for improvement. (see below)
Average 32 Putts a round or better
Practice for 15 minutes 2x a week
Use Stack App for Putting Games
Focus on 0-10 feet and 10 - 20 feet
Mirror and Other Putting Drills
My putting was by far the worst facet of my game. If you dig deeper into the data, I was actually a pretty good lag putter, but abysmal from 0-10 feet and not much better from 10-25 feet.
To address this, I plan to practice putting at least twice a week for 15 minutes before the range, and I’ll heavily emphasize 0-10 foot putts and 10-20 feet within that practice session. I’ll use a combo of drills and The Stack App putting games.
For 2023, I averaged 35 putts per round, and in my final 20 rounds, 33.5 putts per round. I believe I can bring that down to 32 putts per round through dedicated practice and emphasizing my weak points.
Get my Handicap below 2.0 and Break 70
Putting practice as noted above
Work on long irons (150-175 yds)
Practice chipping 2x a week for 10 minutes
Continue to get coaching and read Dan Grieve’s book
Since lowering my handicap and breaking 70 are similar, they have the same process goals.
Improving my putting is the lowest-hanging fruit and will be the easiest way to lower my scores.
As for my approach shots, I am below average in almost every yardage. I think this is mostly due to my strike quality and swing.
Last year, I worked with Ryan Mouque to improve my swing, which, throughout the season, improved quite a bit. I hope I’ll be at a better starting point with my swing this season, allowing me to focus on my shots and less on my swing. I’ll continue getting coaching to ensure I’m on track and nothing is out of whack.
Additionally, I have struggled from 150-175 yards. This is my 6 through 9 iron and often coincides with many Par three tee shots. I will focus more on these yardages during range sessions and build confidence with my longer irons.
Finally, there is my short game. The Arccos data says I have room to improve from 0-25 yards. I never really felt comfortable chipping last year, lacking consistency and blowing many up and downs. So, to improve in this area, I will put in 10 minutes to work on short-game chipping exclusively.
Most of you know I’ve become enamored with Dan Grieves. Although his videos have already helped me better understand the short game, I haven’t had a chance to use it on the course. I’m excited to see where Dan’s short-game methods take me this season. I also plan on finishing his book soon and writing a review here.
Wrap Up
I’ll let you know whether it’s good, bad, or somewhere in between. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be fun.
Go Ravens.
Dan Grieves' book and videos are great. His instructions are clear and easy to follow. My short game <=40 yards has improved, as measured by the number of strokes required to pitch/chip + putt on a each hole.