Why you should be setting goals like Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas revealed his impressive list of goals for the second year running. 

Last year, Thomas won his first major, won five times and claimed the FedEx Cup. But perhaps what was more impressive was that he had almost predicted what he could achieve at the start of the year, setting what to most would have seemed like some almost impossible goals and proving self-belief is stronger than statistics. 

There would be no exception for this season. Thomas’ season was different in that there wasn’t a $10million bonus at the end of season and he didn’t win a major, but he did become the World No.1, played in the Ryder Cup and still three won titles. 

For Thomas, setting goals is important, and he explained why in his latest post on instagram. 

“Every year/season my team and I come up with goals for the year…,” he wrote. “it’s something I’ve always found important. A few goals that are very attainable, some that are going to require some hard work, then some that are extremely difficult.

“I ask every person in my on course team (caddie, dad, putting coach), to make a their own list. This keeps us all accountable the entire year that everybody is doing what they should be doing on and off the course to make sure we are as ready as possible every time I tee it up.

Time to get started on next years list! (And no I will not share it until the season is over) I challenge you guys to make your own list of goals and see how many you can achieve!”

Below, this was the list of goals he set for 2017/18 – with Y for yes if he achieved them, and N if he didn’t. 

This is how it compared to the goals he set and achieved last year.

So should you be setting goals like Justin Thomas?

Absolutely. If you give yourself something to focus on – whether it’s more of an outcome goal like winning a medal at your club or more of a processing goal such as aiming to practice your putting once a week – it can certainly pay off.

The goals Justin Thomas set himself were all to do with outcomes, but you might find that the average golfer will do better setting themselves goals that have more to do with practice – which will in turn help with those longer term goals. 

Whether you want to play a full-round without three putting or hit 15/18 greens in regulation (my goals), you might be better setting yourself a goal of practicing putting for half an hour every week or frequently testing yourself with drills such as aiming to make 30 six-feet putts in a row. 

Either way, if you give youself something focus on it will focus your practice – and that in turn will help put yourself under pressure both at the range and on the course. My main advice would be to make sure that you don’t only set yourself unattainable goals, but ones you think are achievable. 

– Cut my handicap by two shots
– Win one medal at my golf club
– Play an entire round without three putting
– Practice putting for 30 mins every week
– Make birdie on 9 different holes on the golf course