NEW Year, a time for quiet reflection, a time to make a handful of ever-so-slight adjustments to make yourself a better human being, a time to make promises that you have broken by the end of January.

The most exciting part of this is a) I have never done it before b) it’s not yoga c) it doesn’t involve a gym d) I know nothing about it and e) it’s based 200 yards from my front door. 

Further research – Google: Pilates – suggests it improves flexibility (tick), improves posture and postural awareness (tick), prevents soft tissue injuries such as back pain (tick), provides a more efficient breathing pattern (tick) and heightens neuromuscular control (no idea). Better still there is a six-week ‘Golf Core’ session, with Anna, every Tuesday at 8pm.

Target: The days of slouching, bad backs and sore hips will soon be over and I add 20 yards to my drives

Likely outcome: The Champions League hots up and I don’t make Week 3

A 15-year problem that shows no signs of improvement and one that is now threatening to spread to my mid-irons. I will be taking a novel approach and practising. 

The only way forward is to play my way out of this rut which has dominated my adult years. Somehow I will find the secret in the dirt of the practice ground, the back office and the door mat, with half a dozen air-flow balls, in the kitchen. 

Target: To emerge into 2013 a sound and competent chipper

Likely outcome: I will be chipping either a) one-handed or b) blindfolded and getting a new oven door installed

It’s time to get away from the bad old days – Casey (Masters), Furyk (US Open), Ogilvy (Open) and any one of 10 Americans ranked 20-100 in the world (PGA). 

This year’s Major men will be Choi at Augusta, the ‘like-a-dog-with-a-stick but I can’t help myself’ punts on Westwood and McIlroy for the next two and Bubba Watson/any one of 10 Americans ranked 20-100 etc etc at Kiawah Island.

Though this season I’ll be mixing it up with a flurry of random long shots, ensuring I’m across all areas of the game. 

So the ones to steer clear of are: Matt Kuchar to win the PGA Tour Money List (28-1), a tie in the Ryder Cup (10s), Kenny Perry top-three on the Champions Tour (20s), Adam Scott to split with Steve Williams (10s) and McIlroy to be lowest accumulative score in the Majors (7s).

And my nap of the day, cue groans and yawns, Yani Tseng to win Money List (8-13). If I had any savings they would all disappear here.

Target: To break even

Likely outcome: Have one winner and forget which website I placed the bet on

For the last few years I have battled manfully, and shakily, with getting the yardage to a distant flag. 

What I am able to do is pick up a tree 53 yards over the back of a green as well as rummage around on every par 3 until some other decent soul announces what we have in store. 

What I cannot do is laser the flag and convince myself that what I have just done is correct. So I then wander around in circles looking for 150-yards discs.  

 

Target: To be clear in my pre-shot routine

Likely outcome: All of the above

All good players seem to have one of these and, if I am ever to be taken seriously, this is an essential part of the process. 

A small notebook where scores, putts, double hits, swing thoughts, notes from lessons, Bob Rotella quotes and the phone number for the local pizza shop are stored away. 

My mind runs away with itself immediately; a birdie at the 1st and I obsess about par, a blob and I can’t see another point coming from anywhere. 

From now on, though, three simple thoughts will preface every round, the harbinger of the great things to come. 

Target: To get the most from my game

Likely outcome: Eating too many pizzas