Golfing goals

Hi folks.

I have posted over 200 replies and started one or two threads since joining this great sight and have never once asked for advice.......until now .

i have been a single h/cap golfer for many years, always wavering between 1 and 5. When i first started playing this game i always had a goal to aim for, to break 100, to break 90 , to break 80 , all of which i eventually did. I was never interested in entering competitions or winning medals, so they they were never part of my goals.

Recently i had suffered from a recurring wrist injury which kept me from playing for about 7 weeks and this gave me ample time to review my goals and do you know, i couldn't think of a single goal that i could set myself. Even worse, on reflection i really didn't miss not playing. In truth i think i have fallen out of love for the game.

i aquired a book by a Dr BoB Rotella , called, GOLF IS NOT A GAME OF PERFECT. Dr bob is a golf psycologist who has worked with many pro golfers. One section in his book he deals with the subject of having goals and the importance of working towards that goal and then finding the next one.
I can't find the next one and i'm slowly falling out of love with the game. Golf has been a part of my life since i was a very young man and could never imagine ever not playing. Until now.

I am not the sort to ask for advice lightly. i am a firm believer in looking for answers by yourself first and then if unresolved , seek advice from others.
maybe it's time to move on and look for other challenges. i really don't know.
Can anybody help.?

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the dog wags the tail....the tail dosn't wag the dog

hey Andy mate

We have had this discussion many times recently. Forget the fact that you are 41 and totally suffering from some weird kind of middle aged depression . Why not go out there and try to get a coaching qualification. you have been a great help to me in recent months and you always give sound advice on this site.
I think you have become bored with the game and you need to find a new challenge. What better challenge could there be than helping a golfer who is starting from scratch to achieve THEIR goals????????

Just don't expect me to pay for lessons

BTW You still owe me a tenner from our pool game that you lost, miserably , last week.
My goal is to get you to pay up

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A PERSON WITH GREAT DREAMS CAN ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS.....

TPG you stole my thunder mate
seems sad that you dont have the same desire for the game you once had
but the first thing i thought of was coaching.
you have obviously got the talent as a player your advice on site is second to none and you have the personality attitude and patience that students of this game would appreciate.
either that or start playing blindfolded!

Andy,

Before I scrolled down and read Terry's reply I was thinking coaching.

More so teaching juniors at your club. Here my club has many a time initiated junior clinics on a Sunday morning. For various reasons though - these have fallen by the way side.

If I was you what would I do.

I'd be inclined to help those around me who are not in a position to attain coaching from professional means and show golf to those less fortunate.

I'd go to the local special school and offer my services for an hour or two a week.

Organise charity days at your club and donate monies raised to local charities.

Andy, as for your own game. I don't know your circumstance. So it is very hard to help in that regard.

IMO the only way to get better is to play against other players equal or better in ability. Why not try out for an amateur position in a Professional Tour Event?

Nicole

PS Keep your chin up

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VP

Hi

It would be very sad to see someone with an obvious talent to leave or lose interest in the game (on reason I will never push my kids to play only encourage!).

Your advice and guidance on this site has always been clear, constructive and technically correct. I remember as a junior always having a lack of support from very good golfers as they just wanted to play and work on their own game.

Maybe find a young talented player at a local club and coach him/her on the course in all aspects of the game. Seeing that you have developed a talent as a well rounded golfer may give you the satisfaction you seek.

Coaching sounds like a great idea but it comes down to whether you see yourself doing that.

I hope you find a renewed zest for the game.

If you want a real challenge you could coach me to become a scratch golfer!

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JCBDB

aftford this post has only been on 1 day and you have 3 students already!

Hi Andy,

There is one goal you seem to have missed: Breaking 70 and achieving a scratch h/capp, what a goal especially if you are capable already.

I have a formula for scoring par, private message me your e-mail and I will gladly post it on.


Ian.

andy,
i have just sneaked a half day off and headed straight for my local muni 5 quid for 18 holes thats VFM! armed with your shoot in the low 80's approach and using advice from dr rotella and despite the baking weather(having 6 clubs and so a lighter bag helped) i shot another 79.
i award the credit to you for bringing your approach to my attention i would still be carrying 14 clubs and spraying balls all over the course if you hadnt.
so coaching of some sort would seem the obvious step to make and so keeping you involved in this great game.
keep your pecker up fella

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cheers slats
"Golf can best be defined as an endless series of tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle"

I love the above answers given. Teaching is a reward in it's self...money aside...

But to add, I am taking a risk here, because I really don't know your finantial situation: but I would look at finding a local group that plays for money. Make sure it is something you can afford to loose each week, but there are always groups of low hdcpers that want to play amongst themselves. (It always stinks being beaten by a 24 hdcper because he had "the round of his life" and you still beat him by 15 shots).

What this does, it creates a new perspective on your game. True pressure and the thrill of it all. Without pressure, risk and reward, like life, it will get booring. It is very easy to put this spice back in your game if you are willing to be willing to pay for it. And you never know, make some FROM it.

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I'm a golfaholic, no question about that. Counseling wouldn't help me. They'd have to put me in prison, and then I'd talk the warden into building a hole or two and teach him how to play. ~Lee Trevino

greg raises a very good point and yet again i was thinking coaching its gotta be worth a try

do you fancy sharing your formula for par with all of us Ian?

adz

Aft,
I would walk on broken glass to be where you are. What about going forward to +2 or 3. You are 8 years younger than me, so it is I who should be in mid life crisis. Get that chin up and drive on. There are so many people who would give their eyeteeth to be where you are. Come on, start apost where we can all target you for advice. This will soon have you back to playing when you have had enough of us!

Cheers, Rob

Thanks for the advice everybody. as the old saying goes " a problem shared is a problem halved " I am going to discuss all of your solutions with my wife this weekend and hopefully get a clearer picture of where i should go from here.

One thing is certain , and that is the number of wonderful new friends i have made on this site. I read your replies and each one put a big smile on my face.. Thank you all sincerely.

I have sent you all a private message to say thanks.

cheers

not gonna share your formula for par??

Anyone wishes to have a copy please e-mail me your private address through private messaging.

It's only a couple of word docs, to large to post here.


Thanks

Ian.

Set yourself a hard goal like try and break 69 or something. This might sound silly but when ever I go to the course I always try and set some goals for the round and sometimes I say to myself I AM NEVER EVR GOING TO GET OVER A PAR AGAIN! And man it makes you try real bad I think 13 holes is the longest I got too LOL! And that day I shot +1. But I still always think when i go to the course from this day onwards im never goign to 3 putt ever again in my life or im never ever going to get over a par again ever in my life or im never ever going to miss a green in regulation ever again in my life.

Its great!