Work Less. Golf More.

2018 New Year’s Resolutions

As another year comes to a close, it is only natural to look back as well as ahead.  I totally disagree with the Don’t Look Back, You’re Not Going That Way school of thought.  You can only learn by remembering.  You can only move forward by accepting who you were.  That’s why I believe it is interesting and fun to look at past events and then think about the future.

Isn’t that what resolutions are all about?  They are not blood oaths.  Lightning isn’t go to strike you dead if you don’t stretch every day or fail to read the collective works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky or eat at least one super food daily.  Resolutions, in my mind anyway, are expressions of intentions.  I realize intentions aren’t actions, but unless you first have intentions – good ones, I would hope -- you can’t even begin to act, much less complete the follow through.

Last week, I e-mailed 70 of my club golf friends.  I asked them to send me their 2018 golf and personal (but not too personal) resolutions.  The response was much better than expected – 54.  I always enjoy reading what others are thinking about golf – and life -- but after getting so many entertaining and thoughtful responses, I had a difficult time trying to figure out how to effectively share their responses.

I finally came up with a two-tier solution: 1) Put together a table of the most often mentioned topics.  2)  Select a few of the more on-point, unusual, humorous or esoteric responses with The 1502 Journal readers. 

Just for record, I (Handicap 12) have one Golf Resolution. NO PEEKING ON ANY SHOT!  My Personal Resolution is: NEVER take family and friends for granted. 

Among my favorite golf and personal resolutions were:

• Great Reminder: Bryant Barnes Golf (Handicap 13 and a 6-time club champion.  In October, Bryant, who is 79, shot a 78 (38-40) from The Kansas City Country Club CCC silver tees (6,293 yards).  That is a net 5 under 65! ) – Learn how to chip from 10 to 15 feet from off the green. To me it’s the hardest shot in the game.
• Fun Idea: Mark Allen Golf (4) -- Play a round from our Green tees. (The Green tees are our shortest tees, 4,528 yards).  I'm embarrassed to say I haven't done that yet!  Change things up a bit.
• Tempo Tip: Jack Black Golf (16) – Find a swing that doesn't dislodge my dental fillings.
• Rainy Day Suggestion: Randy Chapman Personal (15) -- Visit local tourist attractions that I have not been to such as the World War I Museum, Truman Library and the Negro League Baseball Museum.
• Just Rubbing It In To Us Mortals: Bob Coughlin Golf (a totally legit 1) – Lower my handicap below 1.
• To The Point: John Cowden Golf (10) – Work Less. Golf More.
• Practical Advice: Dr. Curran Personal (12) -- Stay vertical as long as possible.
• A Thought Shared By Many: Bill Esrey Golf (5) -- I am known to play fast and enjoy getting in a round at a fast pace. However as I get older, I enjoy taking in the scenery, the conversation and general banter of each foursome. In 2018, I will relish the opportunity to take it all in and enjoy my surroundings and the people I am fortunate to play with each weekend.
• He Is Going To Be Busy: Gary Forsee Personal (15) -- 1) Clean out my closets. 2) Start writing my book. 3) Work every day to be better person to all and use time wisely.
• Too Focused?: Clint Harris Golf (11) -- Only practicing short game and driving this year.
• What The Hell?  Seriously?: Bill Parkerson Personal (12) – Learn to play the ukulele. 
• Too Ambitious?: Fred Coulson Golf & Personal (19) -- Reduce my handicap and my weight, which have been increasing together the last few years!
• Take Nothing For Granted: Michael Watson Golf (Current club champion who is a 4 from Black tees [way back] and a 3 from the Red & Silver tees) -- Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals!  At any level working on fundamentals is important throughout the season as bad habits are created from poor fundamentals.
• Amen: Buzz Willard Personal (15) -- I have one main goal -- kindness.  With all the divisiveness in the world, I’m going to focus on acceptance rather than tolerance and to remind myself that just because someone has a different opinion on something doesn’t mean they’re crazy or more importantly my enemy.

I would love to hear about your 2018 resolutions. Comment below. 

Happy New Year To All!

Allan (a 12)