The golf goals that will make 2021 your best year ever

Published: 02 January 2020 Last updated: 18 December 2020

Set yourself golf goals for 2021.

Get your golf in shape for 2021 by setting short and long-term goals.

Why not make a change for the better right now by writing down 10 golf goals you want to achieve in 2021?

Giving yourself something to focus on – whether it’s more of an outcome goal like winning a medal at your club or more of a processing goal such as aiming to practice your putting once a week – will help you practice more effectively.

Whether you want to play a full-round without three putting or hit 15/18 greens in regulation, you might be better setting yourself a goal of practicing putting for half an hour every week or frequently testing yourself with drills such as aiming to make 30 six-feet putts in a row.

To help get you started, we asked TG Top 50 coach Steve Astle to come up with a list of outcome and performance goals which are both achievable and realistic for the average golfer.

Just adapt it accordingly to your game – and write it down! It’s proven that people who write down their goals are more likely to focus on achieving them.

Note: If you choose to set your own goals, remember to keep them SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Recorded and Time Specific.

1. Learn your yardages with every golf club

Use a shot tracker like Shot Scope or Arccos (or get on a launch monitor) and work your way through the bag, so you know exactly how far you hit each club with full, three-quarter and half shots.

2. Book an on-course lesson based on strategy

We’ve lost count how many European Tour stars have told us that the biggest mistake amateurs make is related to poor club selection and poor decision making.

3. Hole 10 three-foot putts in a row

Colin Montgomerie used to practise his pressure putting by setting himself a target of holing out 100 times in a row from two feet. If he missed one, the penalty would be starting all over again.

4. Make three birdies in 18 holes

As with all of these goals, if three feels unrealistic for you or your game at first then adjust it and aim for making one or two, or even making a set amount of pars.

RELATED: Score better on par-5s

5. Finish a round with no three-putts

Putting is the one part of your game your can practise practically anywhere and, for most amateurs, is the part of your game that consistently costs you silly shots. How many times have you sat in the bar after a round and bemoaned those silly three-putts that cost you a great round? Get practising, cut out the three-putts and watch those scores tumble.

6. Play a full round with the same ball

Instead of trying to pull off that miracle shot from the trees, consider playing safe to minimise the risk and keep your score intact… it’ll save you some money, too.

7. Get down in three inside 75 yards every time during one round

If your club has a short-game area, start using it. The biggest difference between high and low handicappers is the ability to get up and down more often.

8. Break your next scoring milestone

If you haven’t broken 70, 80, or 90, now is the time to challenge yourself to do it. Write it down!

9. Birdie every hole on your home golf course in 12 months

This will help to give you something to play for every round, regardless of what your score is on that day. And, as with all of the goals, if it feels too challenging then simply adjust it and try to par every hole.

10. Play in an open competition

A great opportunity to test your game in a more competitive environment against players of all abilities.

What are your golf goals for 2021? Tweet us @todaysgolfer and let us know!