Happy New Year!  Yes, it is time for all of us to make those New Year Resolutions.  This is also the time of year that you should set your goals for golf as well.

When setting your goals, focus on what you would like to accomplish in golf for 2010. It may be as simple as trying to play more or you may set a goal of shooting a certain score. Whatever your goals may be, write them down. This will make them more real.

This year I want to play more golf.  As a golf professional, you would think that I play golf all the time.  But in reality I tend to stay away from the golf course when I have a day off.  My goal for 2010 is to play at least nine holes, once a week.

By using the SMART method for goal setting, you will have a surefire way to achieve your goals.

S=Specific
Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen.  I want to play more golf.

M=Measurable
If you can’t measure it you can’t accomplish it.  I want to play nine holes once a week.  I want to play more golf is not measurable.  I want to play nine holes once a week is measurable.

A=Attainable
When you identify goals that are important to you, you begin to figure out ways to make them come true.  If I choose every Tuesday morning to play nine holes of golf and put that on my schedule, I can commit to accomplishing my goal.  This goal will stretch me and take a real commitment from me.  I know this because I did not play that much golf last year.

R=Realistic
Realistic is do-able.  I may not be able to play 18 holes once a week, but nine holes are do-able for me.  Being realistic also means that if I miss a week because it was raining on Tuesday morning is ok.  Life and weather will sometimes get in the way of reaching your goals.

T=Timely
By setting a time frame for you goal puts an ending point on your goal and gives you a clear target to work towards.  By the end of 2010 I will have played 26, 18-hole rounds of golf. 

Be SMART in your goal setting and New Years Resolutions. Good luck with playing your best in 2010!