Golf resolutions don’t have to be joyless. Or extreme. Or abandoned by February. This year, skip the wildly unrealistic promises (looking at you, “scratch by July”) and focus on goals that actually make you excited to play, practice, and sneak away for a golf trip or two. Here are fun New Year’s resolutions for golfers that do just that.
Fun New Year’s Resolutions for Golfers
1. Make Practice More Fun
The best practice routine is the one you’ll actually do – and do consistently. Instead of marathon range sessions where you’ll leave with nothing but blisters and frustration, try adding structure and stakes by mixing in:
- Short-game challenges with friends
- A 10-minute pre-round putting game instead of random rolls
- Practice with only three clubs to spark creativity
- Create a weekly skills challenge (most up-and-downs, fairways hit, or putts inside 6 feet)
Consistency beats intensity every time. And when practice feels like play, you’ll keep coming back.
2. Make Your Fitness Routine More Golf-Friendly
You don’t need a six-pack to play better golf. But you do need mobility, balance, and a body that doesn’t feel ancient by the back nine. Simple ways to stay golf-fit include:
- Walk the course more often
- Add a short golf-focused yoga or mobility flow a few times a week
- Use speed sticks responsibly to build swing speed safely
Fitness that directly helps your golf game is way more motivating than another treadmill session you’ll pretend to enjoy!
3. Turn Short-Game Practice Into a Game
Short-game practice doesn’t have to be repetitive to be effective. Randomized practice builds real confidence. Because on the course, shots are never perfect – and neither are lies. Make it competitive with:
- Up-and-down contests
- One-club chipping challenges
- Dice-roll drills to randomly select distance, lie, and club
4. Make Golf Travel Easier (and Way More Fun) with ShipSticks
If your New Year’s resolution doesn’t include more golf trips, you’re doing it wrong. And when it comes to travel, make it easy on yourself. Ship your clubs (and luggage) with ShipSticks and skip the airport hassle entirely – no dragging bags, no airline fees, no stress. Just arrive refreshed and ready to tee it up.
Some ideas to get you started:
- Play at least one new course per quarter
- Take the golf weekend you’ve been “talking about for years”
- Book a bucket-list round somewhere unforgettable
5. Track Your Stats
You don’t need to track everything to see improvement. But, progress does feel better when you can actually see it. Try focusing on just 3–4 key stats, like:
- Fairways hit
- Greens in regulation
- Up-and-down percentage
- Putts per round
Make it fun by:
- Competing with a buddy
- Setting quarterly “achievement badges”
- Rewarding yourself when you hit your goals
6. Start the Year with a Lesson
One well-timed lesson can save you an entire season of frustration. A little guidance early goes a long way, and keeps bad habits from taking hold right from the start. Smart ways to approach it:
- Book one lesson in January to start the year right
- Add a spring tune-up before peak season
- Consider a video lesson while traveling
7. Make Your Rounds More Fun
Not every round needs to be a personal best to be a great day. Switch things up by:
- Trying new formats (scramble, alternate shot, skins)
- Playing with new partners
- Playing different courses
- Celebrating small wins (even if it’s just a bombed drive)
And don’t forget a post-round tradition, like photos, a recap, or a toast, to make every round memorable, no matter the score.
Make This the Year Golf Feels Effortless
Better golf doesn’t come from pressure – it comes from enjoyment, curiosity, and showing up consistently. Whether you’re working on your short game, traveling to new courses, or simply having more fun out there, these resolutions are designed to stick.
Here’s to a year of more rounds, better trips, and less hassle getting there.
