Fairways to Fitness: My 12-Month Golf Journey
Welcome to the start of what I hope will be one of the most rewarding years of my life—both on and off the golf course. My name is Will and I run this site. I’ve marketed over 350 concert tours and events, photographed some of the biggest music stars, and love golf - so I created this site.
I’m a 16-handicap golfer from Kitchener, Ontario, standing at 6'2" and weighing 226 lbs.
For years, I’ve been the type of golfer who loves the game, plays regularly, and has moments where I have a “game”, but I’ve never fully broken through to the single-digit handicap level. At the same time, like many of us, I’ve let my weight creep up over the years. This year, I’ve set myself a bold but achievable challenge:
Golf Goal: Lower my handicap from 16 to 9
Fitness Goal: Drop from 226 lbs to 185 lbs
Timeline: 12 months
This blog will serve as my public accountability partner. Every week, I’ll update my progress: rounds played, lessons learned, fitness milestones, struggles, and small victories. My hope is that by documenting this journey, I’ll not only keep myself disciplined but also inspire anyone else who wants to improve their game and health at the same time.
Why This Challenge?
Golf is a game that rewards consistency, patience, and mental toughness—three areas I know I can develop further. I’ve been hovering in the mid-teens for a while now, occasionally shooting in the low 80s, but more often fighting my way out of blow-up holes and three-putts. Deep down, I know I have the potential to be a much better golfer.
Off the course, my weight has been slowly climbing, and at 226 lbs, I’ve noticed it’s affecting my energy levels during a round, my flexibility in the swing, and my ability to walk 18 holes without fatigue. Dropping to 185 lbs isn’t just about the number on the scale it’s about feeling lighter, getting stronger, moving better, and having the stamina to enjoy long days on the course.
Combining these two goals makes perfect sense: as I get fitter, I’ll naturally have better balance, mobility, and endurance, all of which directly translate to improved golf performance.
My Roadmap
1. Golf Improvement
I’ve built a 12-month plan to methodically chip away at my weaknesses:
Lessons: I’ll start with a swing analysis and take 1–2 lessons each month.
Short Game: At least 60% of my practice will focus on putting, chipping, and bunker play. These areas are where I can save the most strokes quickly.
Course Management: I’ll learn to play smarter, avoiding unnecessary risks, and focusing on higher-percentage shots.
Consistency: My target is to play 1–2 rounds per week and practice 2–3 times weekly, even during colder months using indoor simulators.
2. Fitness and Nutrition
To reach 185 lbs, I’ll need to lose 41 lbs over 12 months, which is about 1 lb per week—a sustainable, realistic pace.
Nutrition: I’ll focus on a high-protein diet (30–40g per meal), with moderate carbs and healthy fats. I’ll cut down on sugar and alcohol, which adds up fast.
Strength Training: 3–4 sessions per week, centered on compound lifts and functional movements that translate to better golf performance.
Cardio: 2–3 sessions weekly. Walking 18 holes will count, but I’ll also include interval runs and cycling.
Mobility: Daily stretching to improve hip rotation, hamstring flexibility, and shoulder mobility—all key for a fluid golf swing.
3. Tracking and Milestones
I believe what gets measured gets improved, so I’ll be keeping detailed stats:
Golf: Fairways hit, greens in regulation, putts per round, and up-and-down success rate.
Fitness: Weekly weigh-ins, body measurements every month, and gym performance logs.
Here’s the milestone plan:
| Month | Handicap | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14 | 210 |
| 6 | 12 | 200 |
| 9 | 10 | 190 |
| 12 | 9 | 185 |
I’ll update this every week with my stats and reflections.
Week
Weight
Handicap
Rounds Played
Practice Sessions
Key Wins
Next Week’s Focus
I know this won’t be easy. There will be weeks where life gets in the way, where scores balloon, or where weight loss stalls. But I’ve learned that both golf and fitness are long games—you don’t need perfection every week, just progress over time.
By focusing on small, consistent improvements and staying disciplined, I believe I can step onto the tee box one year from now not just as a single-digit handicap golfer but as a stronger, healthier, and more confident version of myself.
If you’re on a similar journey—whether that’s breaking 90 for the first time, chasing a scratch handicap, or shedding some pounds while doing what you love—follow along. I’ll share everything: drills that work, nutrition tips that make dieting easier, and honest reflections on what it feels like to chase big goals.
Here’s to a year of fairways, greens, and personal bests. Let’s get to work.
