Golf Resolutions for 2019

We're a week into the new year and I haven't posted my annual golf resolutions. Sorry for procrastinating. First, how did I do with last year's resolutions?

Resolution #1: Continue to stay fit for golf.  So far, so good on this one. Even with the addition of ballroom dancing (aka "dancesport") to my fitness repertoire, I have maintained overall health. As I resolved last year, I've added regular foot care to my routine. I bought a battery-operated scrub brush with a pumice stone attachment to keep my feet callous-free.

Resolution #2: Break 80. Nope, not yet. In fact, I didn't even keep my handicap in 2018 (gasp!). As any East Coaster knows, it was an unusually rainy spring, summer and fall. Golf-wise, it was kind of a lost season. Due to muddy conditions and fairways that couldn't be mowed due to rain, I mainly shot rounds in the mid-90s. I couldn't bring myself to record scores, since they'd drop my glorious 14.5 handicap from 2017. Most of my 2018 season looked like this:

My errant pink ball, in jail. The flag is somewhere behind those trees.

I didn't start scoring in the upper 80s till November, when the weather dried out, but by then the handicap season was over. 

Resolution #3: Grow the game. I've been continuing to encourage the young golfers in my life to enjoy the game. My 10-year-old goddaughter has started playing tournaments and last summer I had the pleasure of playing another par-3 course with her. My oldest nephew continues to play golf with his friends. And my two youngest nephews, who are 5 and 7, now incorporate golf activities into their playtime. When they visit my house, they like to create putting practice surfaces using my yoga mats with hand weights propped underneath to simulate undulating greens. How cute is that!

Okay, so how about 2019?

Resolution #1: Continue to stay fit for golf.  I think this will be a permanent resolution. I see golfers out there walking with pull-carts or carrying bags well into their 70s and even 80s. If I want to be one of them someday, I need to take care of my health.

Resolution #2: Break 80. This is going to a resolution until I just finally do it. My all-time lowest score was 83, so it's just a matter of time on this one.

Resolution #3: Maintain a handicap. So much of golf depends on the weather. And though I can blame the rain for not making progress in 2018, I realize I could learn to play better in adverse conditions. Of course, it's easier when conditions are good. This winter, I've had a few stolen days when the weather was warm and dry enough to go out. Yesterday, we had a day with temps in the 50s, and I shot an 87. So things are looking up for 2019. Stay tuned!