Top 10 Golf Resolutions for 2026
The new year is here, and it’s the perfect time to reset your golf game. Whether you broke 90 for the first time last year or you’re still working on breaking 100, these ten resolutions will help you play better, enjoy the game more, and maybe even lower your handicap. Let’s make 2026 your best year on the course yet.
1. Practice with Purpose, Not Just Repetition
We’ve all done it – hitting bucket after bucket at the range without any real plan. This year, commit to purposeful practice. Instead of mindlessly hitting drivers, create a practice routine that targets your specific weaknesses.
Are you losing strokes around the green? Spend 70% of your practice time on short game. Struggling with accuracy off the tee? Work on alignment and tempo with your irons before grabbing the big stick. The key is identifying where you’re actually losing strokes and addressing those areas first.
2. Match Your Golf Ball to Your Game
Stop playing whatever ball you found in the woods last summer. Your golf ball matters more than you think. If you have a slower swing speed (under 90 mph), a softer compression ball like the Titleist Tour Soft or Callaway Supersoft will give you better distance and feel. Faster swingers benefit from higher compression balls that offer more control.
Playing the right ball can add 10-15 yards and improve your consistency. That’s an easy upgrade that requires zero swing changes.
Also See: The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Golf Ball for YOUR Game
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3. Get Your Clubs Fitted (Yes, Really)
You wouldn’t wear shoes three sizes too big, so why play with off-the-rack clubs that don’t match your swing? A basic fitting at your local golf shop doesn’t cost much and can be a game-changer. Proper lie angles, shaft flex, and grip size make hitting good shots much easier.
Even small adjustments can turn those frustrating mishits into solid contact. If a full fitting isn’t in the budget, at least get your driver and putter checked.
4. Commit to the Ready Golf Revolution
Here’s a resolution that’ll make you everyone’s favorite playing partner: play ready golf. When it’s safe, hit when you’re ready instead of rigidly following “farthest away goes first.”
Keep up with the group ahead of you, not away from the group behind you. Have your club selected before it’s your turn. Line up your putt while others are putting. These small changes can shave 30-45 minutes off your round and make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
5. Master Three Reliable Shots
Instead of trying to hit every shot in the book, focus on mastering three reliable shots:
- a go-to tee shot
- a trusty approach distance (maybe your 7-iron)
- a dependable chip.
When pressure hits, you’ll have shots you can count on.
Tiger Woods built a career on hitting a reliable fade. You don’t need 15 different shots – you need a few you can execute under pressure.
6. Learn Course Management Basics
Playing smarter is easier than playing better. This year, make strategic decisions that reflect your actual skill level, not your aspirational one. Aim for the fat part of the green, not the pin. Lay up to your favorite yardage. Take the safe route around trouble.
Course management can save you 5-7 strokes per round without any swing changes. Think of it as playing chess, not checkers.
7. Fix Your Pre-Round Routine
Stop showing up ten minutes before your tee time and rushing to the first tee. Give yourself time for a proper warm-up: some stretches, a few chips and putts, and 10-15 balls on the range. Start with wedges and work up to driver.
A foam roller in your car and five minutes of stretching can prevent injury and help you start strong instead of needing three holes to “find your swing.”
Also see: Master Your Game: The Ultimate Golf Pre-Round, Pre-Shot, and Post-Round Routines
8. Respect the Course and Your Playing Partners
Good etiquette never goes out of style. Repair your ball marks (and one extra). Rake bunkers. Keep your shadow out of someone’s putting line. Silence your phone. These small acts of respect make the game better for everyone.
Being known as a player with great etiquette opens doors to better games and more invitations. Plus, it’s just the right thing to do.
Also See: Golf Course Etiquette Guide: Don’t Make These 10 Embarrassing Mistakes
9. Track Your Stats (The Important Ones)
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. This year, track the stats that actually matter: fairways hit, greens in regulation, putts per round, and up-and-downs. Don’t bother with total distance – focus on accuracy and consistency.
Apps like Grint or 18Birdies make this easy. After a few rounds, you’ll see exactly where you’re losing strokes and can adjust your practice accordingly. Patterns appear quickly – and so do solutions.
10. Play the Right Tees for More Fun and Better Scores
If you’re not reaching par‑4s in two or par‑5s in three, you’re playing too far back. Move up a tee box in 2026 and enjoy:
- More birdie chances
- More playable approach shots
- Less stress
Golf is supposed to be fun – not punishment.
Remember Why You Started Playing
Golf is supposed to be fun. When you’re grinding over every shot and getting frustrated, take a breath and remember why you love this game. The crisp morning air. The challenge. The camaraderie. The perfect strike that makes all the bad shots worth it.
This year, commit to enjoying the journey, not just chasing scores. Play with people who make you laugh. Try new courses. Soak in the scenery. Golf is a game that gives back what you put into it – including joy.
Your 2026 Action Plan
These resolutions aren’t about becoming a scratch golfer overnight. They’re about making smart, achievable improvements that add up to a better overall game and more enjoyment on the course.
Ready to take your game to the next level? Request your Golf Course Intel Strategy Guide today. We’ll help you identify personalized drills and stretches for your game, recommend the perfect golf ball for your swing speed, and create a hole-by-hole, shot-by-shot strategy for conquering any course in the world.
Let’s make 2026 the year you finally play the golf you’re capable of. Which resolution are you starting with?
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