ET's Info-Stew

I like to make short-term and long-term goals for golf because it gives me something concrete to strive for. I don't always reach the goals, but if I do I feel like I accomplished something. By making simple concrete goals instead of abstract ones like 'play better', 'try to shoot in the 80s', or 'practice more', I still play well, but I accomplish milestones that I wouldn't otherwise be aware of.

• By May/June 2007, be in a state playing the best golf of my life (rounds in the low to mid 80s in nearby courses). This way I will enjoy myself more in Hawaii.
• By May/June 2007, be in good golf shape (i.e. loosing weight, building muscle, increasing flexibility).
• By January 2008, break 80 at an easy par 72 local course.
• By January 2008, play a round with 6 or more up-and-downs.
• By January 2008, play two rounds with no score higher than bogey.
• By January 2008, play two rounds with no 3-putts.

I also have a life goal for golf. I would like to play a round of golf in every state of the United States. Probably the best thing to do is collect my scorecard from each state. I imagine that someday, in order to reach this goal, I will need to take a long road trip where I knock off several states at a time. I think Cy is on board with this. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), I haven't kept scorecards in some states, so though I've played in those states, I will have to go back: