Four Letter Word of the Day - PLAN

PLAN- Something I'm not very familiar with making. It's one of those things that never really seemed necessary. Whenever a plan is made, something usually changes that plan causing someone (usually my wife) to get upset about it. Not this time. For once, I'm going to make a plan and force myself to stick to it. By whatever means possible.

Step 1 - Get Physically Prepared. It's winter in Illinois. Nobody around here is in as good of shape as they should be. Golf may not require perfect physical fitness, but it will be a great way to start my commitment to this project. I wont be ripped like Tiger, but I won't be as round as Daly either. My Plan and Goals:

• 8-Week intensive training/nutrition program
• High Protein/Low Carb diet to promote weight loss & strength gain
• 15% increase in overall strength
• 15 lbs. overall weight loss
• Maintain or improve upon these after completion

Step 2 - Get Mentally Prepared. The web is an endless source of help, tips, and motivating articles that I'll reference as needed. My main goal and plan here is to actually have a plan. Every time I touch a golf club, there will be a rhyme, reason, and plan for what I am doing with each swing. No more "Grip it and rip it" style golf. Every shot, from the range to the practice green, to the course will have an intent and purpose.

Step 3 - Get it together. The Golf regimen is pretty simple. A minimum of 1 hour for a minimum 5 days per week. Hopefully playing at least twice a week. If I'm not on the course playing, I'll be on the range, or practice green for at least an hour. The actual practice and playing schedule will vary and be recorded here.

Step 4 - Reach my Goals. My goals for the course:

• Break par on a real course. I have had a few rounds in the 71-75 range. Some of those courses weren't exactly the most difficult. I have 2 candidates picked out for this already.
• Consistently shoot in the 70-75 range on the home courses, last year I ended up around 80.
  
• My biggest goal is to qualify for the championship bracket of an annual tournament I play in. Sure I'll get eaten alive by the really good players...maybe being competitive is a good goal for next season.
  

So, Golf season is fast approaching. 3-4 weeks (weather permitting) and courses should be getting ready to open. I've been swinging once a week all winter on a golf simulator, so I hope to pick up close to where I left off last fall. A week or two of range work and I'll be ready to hit the course. Tomorrow starts a long journey. Hopefully, a successful one.