New Year’s resolutions are like New Year’s hangovers. They feel deep in the moment. But they fade quickly. Most are forgotten within a week. And golf resolutions? They are doomed from the start.
Jared Tendler, mind game coach and author of the forthcoming book Everyday Golf Psychology: Practical Tips for Golfers at Every Leveloffers this advice on resolutions. Throw them away. They are dumb. Better to focus on “goals”.
“There’s a difference between a solution and a goal,” Tendler says. “Resolutions are high-level and results-oriented. It’s a blindly optimistic way of trying to achieve something. Then, when the momentum breaks, everything goes wrong.”
Goals, on the other hand, are rooted in reality. They account for the process and the hiccups you might encounter along the way. Fair enough. With that advice in mind, here are 12 achievable goals for 2026.
Play as Single
The best parts of golf are the places it takes you and the people you meet. Not all of those people will become your friends, but you’ll meet a lot of good ones if you show up yourself.
Keep it moving
Lost balls happen. Bad shots happen. But slow play is avoidable. Get ready to hit, keep your searches short and save the jokes for the walk to the next tee.
Try a new course
There are more than 58,000 whereas in the world. You can’t see them all. You’d be lucky if you hit 1% of them. But you can always expand your horizons by exploring a course you’ve never played.
Suit up for clubs
It’s not the arrow, it’s the arrow, people like to say. But this is not entirely true. Arrows also matter. A lot. Especially when they are personalized.
Introduce a child to golf
A boy. A girl. A grandson. A granddaughter. Don’t know any kids? Donate to a youth golf program. Golf is a game of life, of the most learned youth.
Make a thoughtful change
Not an arbitrary tweak. Work with a trusted instructor, (not some rando on YouTube), commit fully, get it done and see where it takes you.
Play without fear
Yes, we understand. That pond is scary. Those OB shares are also Golf can be stressful. But you know what’s really scary? How fast time flies. The blow you will strike will end in the blink of an eye and the outcome will not define you. This is not life or death. Save your concern for the things that are.
Take it all out, play it all down
It teaches discipline and uncovers truths about your game. And yes, you can do this while maintaining a reasonable game pace.
Enter a tournament
Try competitive golf at least once. From local events to state amateur tournaments, the experience is engaging and fun.
Get a Caddy
Walking 18 holes with a velvet offers companionship, knowledge and stories you’ll remember. It also gives you someone to unfairly blame for your missed shots.
