This year, I resolve to…
It’s hard to believe the time has come to say goodbye to 2011. Seriously, did I sleep through November and December? With all due respect to fans of winter, I couldn’t be happier the time has flown by and the weather has been so atypical. Only a few more months until spring… I can do this!
As we look back on the past year, we remember what may have been the best sports year in our state’s history: the Packers won the Super Bowl, the Badgers are back at the Rose Bowl, the Brewers won their division for the first time since 1982, Marquette and Wisconsin both danced in the Sweet 16, Badger women’s hockey won the NCAA Championship and UW-Whitewater won another NCAA DIII title.
In the world of golf, we saw the retirement of perhaps the best female golfer the state has produced in Sherri Steinhauer, we witnessed an up and down year for Steve Stricker, golf courses open the day after Christmas, private courses opening up select tee times to the public and more courses being put up for sale.
But that was then. With the start of the New Year comes renewed hope and a clean slate. And so, once again, it is time to make a list of New Year’s resolutions. This year, I resolve to:
1. Buy customized clubs – I’ve been using the same set of irons for a few years now, and I have to admit it was an impulse buy. They were decent clubs, and I got a good deal. But this year, and maybe we’ll call it a birthday present to myself, I’m going to get clubs that are custom-fit for my measurements and my swing. That’s got to take a few strokes off, right?
2. Try new courses – I’m lucky in that in my line of work I get to see so many of the wonderful courses our state has to offer. Yet, when it comes to playing, I stay in my comfort zone of 5-6 courses and say, “I’ll try a new course next year.” Well, next year is here.
3. Have confidence off the tee – In other words, “grip it and rip it.” I’m an over-thinker and an under-swinger. It’s time to jack up the club head speed and just let it fly.
4. Take a few lessons – Rather than trying to work out the problems on my own, which works, well, almost never, I’m going to hook up with a pro to iron out a few of the kinks in my swing. My mid-long iron game needs work and has for a while now. It’s time to swallow my pride and get help.
5. Hit the range – There is no better practice than repetition, especially early on in the season. It can’t hurt to hit a bucket before a round, or a few times a week. This includes chipping and putting… it’s nowhere near as fun as breaking out the big guns, but I take pride in having a decent short game, and I’d like to keep it that way.
Of course, my New Year’s resolutions extend beyond my golf game, but let’s be honest here… running a marathon and learning a new language probably aren’t going to happen. Maybe I can revisit those in 2013.
What about you? Have you made your resolutions?
Have a safe and happy new year!
Email
Feed
Erin Eagan, Executive Editor at Killarney Golf Media, has been playing and following golf for over 20 years. She is an accomplished multimedia and communications professional with extensive experience in publishing, writing, editing, marketing and web development. Erin has published over 100 articles for leading publications, websites and select clients. Email her at 
