My New Year's golf resolutions aren't like yours

I have similar New Year’s resolutions to a lot of golfers.

I want to lose weight. I want to hit the ball farther. I want to play better. I want another ace and an eagle or two.

But I don’t want to play more golf. What was that thud? Did you just fall out of your chair?

Don’t read me wrong. I love my job. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. But I get it when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson take a month or two off at the end of a long grueling season.

The way this game grinds you down mentally and emotionally, everybody needs a break. When I tell people that one of the toughest parts of my job is that “I play too much golf,” they laugh at me and play the small violin with their fingers. Maybe what I should explain to them is I play too much “business golf” which is another world entirely from “buddies golf.”

Buddies golf involves cursing, bad jokes, drinking and buffoonery. All are great outlets for de-stressing. The business golf that I play can be too serious.

I’m dedicating 2013 to be more well rounded. Yes, I’ll play my allotted 70 to 90 rounds for my job. I’ll still grind for every stroke against more talented GMs and head pros and hustle for every extra photograph.

But I will also try to sneak in a few more buddies golf days and days on the course with my son where I leave the notebook and camera behind. I’m also ready to shed my stereotype as the “golf guy.” Take me sailing, surfing, running, biking or playing tennis (not fishing, though).

By refocusing on life off the course, I hope that I’ll appreciate the game more.

And for those of you who are dying to play more golf, just do it. My friends in the industry are waiting to make your dreams come true.