With the turning of the calendar comes a deluge of “New Year’s Resolutions” that fall by the wayside in less time than it takes Patrick Cantlay to line up a shot. Instead of making resolutions for 2025, we’re setting golf goals.  

 Here are five that can make the next 12 months your best yet. 

 – Set tangible game improvement goals. Do you want to lower your handicap by a stroke? Fewer three-putts? Increased ball speed? I don’t know where you most need to improve, but I do know that you have a better chance of meeting a goal that is measurable.  

 – Get to know your game better. It’s difficult to track every swing, but set a goal of recording stats for 75 percent of your rounds. Track fairways hits, greens in regulation, three-putts and nearly everything else you can think of. That data is actionable and can be used to help meet other goals. You can track stats via USGA’s GHIN app or for the techies among us, Arccos will do it for you while allowing you to determine how far you are hitting each club on the course. Take advantage of technology’s benefits. 

 – Seek help. Yes, we can all watch YouTube videos, and we all like to think we know a little bit about the game, but the chances you can fix your own flaws are pretty slim. Once you have collected data about your game, set a goal of taking at least one lesson. Let a trained professional help you improve your game. You might be amazed at how much it helps. 

 – Our first three goals have all related to game improvement, but golf is about so much more than your scorecard. Commit to taking at least one golf trip (preferably to Myrtle Beach). The opportunity to spend time with friends playing golf and just as importantly, laughing on and off the course is at the heart of the game’s appeal, so maximize the good times in 2025.  

 – Get in golf shape. Much like game improvement, this is a goal that is relative to the individual, but the best way to ensure you are playing golf long into the future is a commitment to your own health. Whether you set a goal of walking a round at least once a month, committing to going to the gym, or changing your diet, focus on your health in 2025 and everything will be a little better.  

 Set measurable goals, create a plan of action, and follow through—2025 might just be the year you play your best golf. Whether you’re chasing a lower handicap or just more laughs with friends, the journey is what makes it worthwhile.