I used to not play in some tournaments because I felt like I was unprepared. The past few seasons I did a ton of preparation and I'm not sure of the added value. Even after a great amount of practice if I only play one tournament - I put way too much stress on that one tournament as being the only place I can validate my improvement that its hard to do well. This year my approach is different - I am going to play in as many tournaments as I can. This will make each tournament less of a big deal and increase my comfort level!

I think a good plan for me would be to spend a little more time on the driving range, working on the alignment and the tempo. Work on mental side by learning to relax when distractions occur on course. Breathing exercises. My bag was completed with clubs that should make my game more competitive and fun. The only thing left is me hitting the ball straighter on a more consistent basis. Need to throw out those three bad holes per round and working on those three can only head me in the right direction.

After watching Phil M the other night on TV and seeing his grip I decided to go to an overlapping grip instead of the interlocking grip I have been using for a number of years. Why I changed years ago I do not know. But I have been pulling the ball lately and any change is a welcome change. Hit a few balls at the range with my nine iron on Monday morning and then a few with the Driver. The result was a straighter ball but appeared to be a bit shorter in distance. Took it to the course for my match and the results were very positive with every club, but the difference on the course, I picked up yardage. Asked my teaching pro when I returned about the change and the results and he said it was grip pressure. Hopefully this will continue. Did work on the alignment and tempo and was able to block out some of the distractions by just standing back also. With the new grip I am hitting the ball higher and taking a divot which I did not do in the past. Will see how it goes. Hope 2017 continues in this positive direction.

Hey Abby,

Being "stuck" in New England for the winter, I am focusing most of my offseason training in the gym, getting stronger, more flexible, and strengthening my core. I'm hoping this will lead to a few extra yards but also prevent potential injuries and provide a more consistent swing.

As for golf specific drills, I am working entirely on my putting before the weather allows me to hit balls. After reviewing my strokes gained for the 2016 season, putting was by far the weakest part of my game, specifically 3-putt avoidance. I will be doing a lot of 3-10 foot putting drills at first and once the weather allows, work on my lag putting which was lacking. I 3-putted over 40% of the time on putts longer than 40ft!

I'm looking forward to improving my game from 2016, which was my best year to date.

Appreciate all you do for us TT members!

Happy 2017 Abby
I am going to work on my preshot routine and the mental side of the game. Staying in the present and picking the smallest possible target will be the main focus. I'm 51, an ex PGA apprentice and So Cal mini tour player. Working a full time job doesn't leave a lot time to grind on the physical aspect of the game. I'll be focusing on focus in 2017, hoping to peak for the US and Senior US Open qualifiers. I advanced through local Qualifying at Fairbanks Ranch in 1998. I love the game of golf and love the pursuit of better.

I want to break 80 so I've been hitting the gym this winter . I tend not to go to the gym during nice weather so I'm going to try going year around . Plus last week I toke my dad to a indoor golf simulator. They finally opened one close to the house . So I'll be hitting the simulator more often. I've seen some great exercises on Twitter from titleist and titleist Europe to help me train .
Thanks

I had mixed emotions on getting fit for a 917 D2. The driver is a killer, but I noticed I've lost 6-7 mph of speed (at that rate "lost sloth??). So, 1) Lose 15 lbs, 2) Exercise more, working with a trainer to also workout smarter. 3) Work with my coach to focus on a couple of more faults and focus on range work to improve swing, not just pound balls. My goal is to get back to the high 80's on driver and more consistency with irons. The end goal is to be able to play 6000 to 6200 yards and expect GIRs and not GIRs+1. That should be good for 6 or more strokes a round. I actually started in early November and still feel this can be achieved, even in my late 60's.

Abby, I live in Ohio and hopefully we will be playing in March. Doing the same thing I did last off season by going to the outdoor range once a week and also to the simulator once a week. This let's me actually see my ball in flight outside and the simulator inside to get my yardage gaps with my clubs. Also inside I take about 100 swings with different clubs every day just for muscle memory. I workout just a little for golf related reps to keep my body in shape. Waiting for the new ProV's to come this year as I was fortunate enough to play the test balls I received and loved them! Will have to make a few adjustments with them but already know my yardage gaps with them. Finished last year at a 5.9 and my goal for 2017 is a 4 or even lower. My 3 new Vokey wedges should get me there. I'm lucky enough to have facilities near me to practice during the winter. Good Luck to everyones goal for 2017!!

I always start off the year with a practice plan geared to improving each facet of my game. I've set up cones at 30-50-75 yards to dial in my Vokey Wedges for those crucial scoring and recovery partial shots. I'm only practicing on the narrow part of the driving range for driver and 3 wood to improve accuracy. I set up gates for putting to improve line and temp while putting to a tee to narrow the focus!

I plan to do more practice on my putting and my iron play. I start on my putting at home due to living in Michigan so I work on my setup, pick a small target to put at smaller than a cup and work on the fundamentals. My iron play will have to wait till march and I work on that by hitting balls and again going back to basics grip, stance, and ball position.

2017 goals have started with finding a good instructor to help with faults in my swing. I have done a swing analization already with him and we have set a lesson plan over the next 3 months. Also I plan on bringing my handicap down 4-6 points as this should be something my instructor can help me achieve as well. Stay in great shape and drop a few more pounds and stay around 205 weight will be good too. That's my 2017 goals. 2016 wasn't kind to my goals..... Lol

2017 better get ready !! I am going to play more and looking to implement an improved outlook on course management. Take my lumps when I should, take risks when it is really attainable. Working on short game in the house until spring. Good luck in 2017 everyone.

Working already on swing speed with fitness training and drills with my coach on correct release points. And on the practice green with 10=20 footers from all lies or breaks concentrating on starting the ball on the correct line

Hi Abby,

Happy New Year! I plan on spending the winter months up here in Canada at the indoor driving range, and the local Golf Town is pretty good with allowing me to use their simulator.

So hopefully when the local courses are open, I'll already be in a good state of play and the new clubs will be ready to go!

All the best to Team Titleist members

Hi Abby, Great post. Since I work at a golf course, practice time is not an issue. Filling my bag with new AP1s should take care of the rest. Already have the woods. Two teenage boys still at home, and one looking at colleges, I have to keep my priorities straight. Thanks again for the sweepstakes around the holidays, and all the rest that you do for TT. Have a great 2017!
Play Well,
Steve S.

Abby
Had a breakthrough year in 2016 by dropping my Handicap 6 strokes.
I see no reason that another 5 in 2017 is not possible.
Have already started the process. 5 days a week a 2 hour workout. Nice being retired.
Start off with 1 hour 15 minutes on the bike to increase my cardio and leg strength.
Followed by weight training: Barbell bicep curls, lifts, squats, side benders and twist. Also added in cable stretches for chest and back.
Finish off with sit-ups, stretches and a nice hot shower.
Jerry wood

My friends are laughing at me, but I'm starting from near scratch. Just haven't had a repeatable motion in years, saved by my short game and putter. I've dedicated 2017 to tee-to-green proficiency. As for my method in getting there, I have to become more rotary, and slow down my club head speed, especially with the driver.......It'll come.....

Happy 2017 Abby,

Goal is to hopefully survive the winter in better shape than entering it. Overall goal is to get down from a 9 to a 5 handicap by focusing on short game, short game, short game. Chipping and 100 yards and in is by far the weakest part of my game and I plan to address that. Focusing on "The Short Game Bible" and some of the drills in that to improve the handicap.

All the best to everyone and hope you achieve your goals!

Hello Abby and TT Community!

Great question to get us all in gear and motivated... First, I'll have to do something about all the weight I've put on since Thanksgiving but not limited to... The cooler weather for some reason increases my appetite for more helpings than I should so that's the first goal- to balance my diet and eat only a proper proportion amount for me. As a foodie, this is going to be very tough. (dark chocolate and wine are fruits and vegetables, right?)

Next will be even tougher- it's to get up and actually do some work. Not necessarily golf related, but muscle toning coordinated with my diet. Followed by exercises to increase and maintain a good range in motion in both upper and lower extremity- alternating those schedules in the same week, with cardio every other week. (It hurts just thinking about it! lol)

The older I get the tougher it is for me to do these things. Like being very careful because of lower back and knee pains. But I love golf and I'll do what I have to. ...as my Dad have said many times over, "Everything in golf is preparation." So these are just added things onto my list.

The better I can gear and position my self in good diet and exercises, the better I will feel about practicing golf, much like last year and the year before...

Those exercises with proper rest/recovery are going to be fun, but the real fun part begins when I dial my swing coach and discus both our goals for the summer games.

Thanks for the early heads up, Abby!

No'l

My goal this year is to meet more #TeamTitleist enthusiasts and brand ambassadors. Re-connect with those I've met in the past at #TeamTitleist events and to meet more new #TeamTitleist friends. Everything else is gravy! #2017 #TeamTitleist! (Oh, and least I forget, to buy more PROV1 golf balls! My favorite passion and obsession!)

My golftec coach and I have developed a very specific game plan for 2017. Our plan involves doing a lot of driver worker to get me more consistent off the tee (biggest weakness in my game right now). We also plan to contribute some time to dialing in the scoring irons as well as working on course management with on course playing lessons. Goal is to be less than 5 HCP index by the end of the year.