First, how did I do on last year's resolutions?
Resolution #1: Stop obsessing about getting longer. I did, sort of. Despite a temporary breakthrough with 200-plus-yard drives, I really didn't do much worrying about my driver distance. (I still want to get longer though.)
Resolution #2: Enter a hole-in-one million-dollar shootout contest. I didn't come across one this year, although I didn't look too hard to find one.
Resolution #3: Break 80 (or at least break 90 again). I didn't break 80 but I did break 90. Five times, in fact. So I consider this resolution achieved. It was mostly over the spring, which is what inspired me to finally get an official handicap.
Resolution #4: Make new golf buddies. Another resolution I achieved, thanks to Seri introducing me to a couple of her golf regulars. I also hope to reconnect with some former golf pals. Golf buddies may be fair-weather friends, but they also tend to be forever friends. If you've played golf with someone a couple of times, months or even years could go by and you could run into them somewhere and say, "Hey, we should go golfing sometime."
Resolution #5: Play another bucket list course. Did it, if you consider Streamsong a bucket list course. I think it is, since it has gotten a ton of buzz since opening in 2013. While hubby and I took a couple of different golf trips this year, Streamsong tops the list as this past year's bucket-list outing.
Okay, so in 2014 I achieved 4 out of 5 resolutions. Either I'm getting better at golf, or I'm getting better at crafting realistic resolutions. Now what are my resolutions for 2015?
Resolution #1: Lower my handicap. When I first registered for an official handicap in the spring, I logged in at 16.9. By the end of the season, it went up to 19. This year, I would like to get that number down. Lower than a 12 would be nice, but I will settle for a 15.
Resolution #2: Learn to enjoy playing competitively. Hubby and I played in a mixed couples tournament this past year, and I have to say I would have enjoyed it far more if we'd won. I think part of me never got in the game to begin with because my nature is to shrink from competition. The one time I'd won a charity tournament in the past, it was just from playing my usual game and then being surprised to find out I fared better than other women players in the end. I would like to learn how to play in a tournament, both to win and have fun at the same time.
Resolution #3: Become a more consistent putter. When I think about my golf swing, it usually involves an iron or driver. I really need to focus on developing a better, more consistent putting stroke too. In golf, putting is kind of important, ya know?
Resolution #4: Break 80 (or maybe just 85). This goes hand in hand with Resolution #1, but I would really like to score in the mid-80s at some point this year.
Resolution #5: Play another bucket list course. Hubby and I ain't getting any younger, and life is short. I think Bandon Dunes and Pinehurst are on our radar. Maybe we can even do both.
Now I want to get out and golf. Tomorrow is supposed to be 45 and partly sunny. Hubby said we could go out and hit balls, but I'm still trying to convince him to play a round. We shall see!
