These are the things that I need to accomplish to reach my ultimate goal. Some things are more important than others. Some are not really critical to my goal, but are things that I want to do for the sake of doing. They are in no particular order.

I decided in June 2007 that my goals really need to have due dates, wherever possible. The date in parentheses is the date at which I intend to have completed the goal. Some are specific dates, some are simply years.

• Break 90
  • I’ve done this many times, but not recently. I’ve been recovering from a serious back problem and have basically been rebuilding my game from the ground up. While I haven’t done this lately, I’m still calling it done.
• Break 80 (June 1, 2008)
• Break 70 (June 1, 2009)
• Join a club
  • I’m now a proud member of Town & Country Golf Links.
• Get a USGA handicap index (August 1, 2007)
• Play in a competitive amateur tournament (September 30, 2008)
  • When I get my game in order, I’d like to try and qualify for the US Amateur or the US Amateur Public Links tournament. Yes, it’s a tall order, but I want a taste of real competition, not a beer-swilling weekend club outing where the “shoe wedge” is the most commonly used club.
• Get a job in golf (September 2010)
• Give a golf lesson for money (2010)
• Play in a competitive professional golf tournament (2012)
  • This doesn’t need to be on the PGA Tour. It can be any serious competition where there is a prize purse that includes cash.
• Lose a significant amount of weight (December 31, 2008)
  • How much? I ain’t tellin’. I’m in decent shape for my size (you’d probably never guess how much I really weigh because I’m 6′3″ and really am “big boned”). But I think the extra weight holds me back and is the source for many of my physical ailments.
• Maintain a serious workout regimen (Immediate)
  • For now, my workouts are geared toward losing weight, but in the future they’ll be targeted specifically at golf fitness. I’m shooting for three good workouts per week, at a minimum.
• Attend a Pelz Golf 3-day scoring game school. (2008)
  • Dave Pelz is an icon to me. His short game philosophies are integral to my game, and I intend to attend one of his schools to refine those skills. This one will probably come down the road as I get closer to my goal.
• Get a hole in one.
  • Not critical. Ben Hogan never had one. But I’m no Ben Hogan. It’s one of those niceties in life that I’d like to get out of the way sooner rather than later.
• Consult with a physical trainer that specializes in golf strength/flexibility/fitness. (2008)
• Get a professional club fitting (2008)
• Develop a detailed fitness plan. (July 1, 2007)
• Develop a detailed diet plan. (July 1, 2007)
• Develop a detailed practice plan. (July 1, 2007)
• Prior to every round, declare whether the round is going to be practice or for a score, then stick to it. (Immediate)
• Be diligent about stat keeping again. (Immediate)
• Calibrate finesse wedge distances (Pelz 4×3 system). (August 1, 2007)

This list is going to be fluid over time as I think of more things. But it’s a good start.