Resolutions aplenty for the best players in the world

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Sergio Garcia may have the most to gain by making good on his 'resolution.'

Ring out the bad shots, bring in the new
Roll happy putts across the greens
'08 is gone, let it be
Welcome '09 with hope and glee;
For golfers it's about Auld Tom Morris
So let's sing a chorus
Of all the things we resolve

The New Year is here and it's a chance for all of us to set and achieve new goals. That's what New Year's resolutions are all about. Free of cost and completely unsolicited, we offer a few resolutions for our golfing pals.

Brad Faxon: To get healthy and play a lot of golf so we can all watch that wonderful putting stroke again and again and again. A thing of beauty.

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John Daly: To do what millions of Americans do this day every January -- resolve to eat right, think nutrition and get fit. The first step for J.D. on the road to better goal is to make his body healthy again.

Ian Poulter: To reach No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking so next time No. 1 calls him No. 2, there's justification for it.

Harrison Frazar: To back up his q-school success with a post-graduate degree in winning.

John Morse: To contend for Rookie of the Year honors on the Champions Tour.

Golf course architects: To put the fun back into their designs. The designers always talk about their affection for the great classic courses so why don't they create more layouts like those? Yes, we know the reasons. Still, they should resolve to design more courses with classic instincts which are such a joy. If you are in the group building those kinds of courses, thank you.

Steve Williams: To practice the caddie's creed to a tee: Show up, keep up and, most of all, shut up.

Phil Mickelson: The next time somebody says something stupid about me to do exactly what I did the last time it happened. Take the high road.

Recreational golfers: To practice all parts of your game, including pace of play. There is a skill and art to playing in a timely fashion. Learn it, practice it, apply it. It will make a round of golf more enjoyable for you and those around you every time you tee it up in 2009.

Golf course owners and operators: To find ways to make the game more affordable so more golfers can play more often.

Bubba Watson: To respect his elders.

Matt Weibring: To make Dad proud. Actually, Papa D.A. already is very proud. So let's make that to make Dad even prouder as Matt takes his game onto the big stage.

Greg Norman: To savor the return to Augusta National Golf Club. On second thought, why wouldn't he?

Jim Furyk: To win. He's too good to go an entire year without a victory.

Retief Goosen: To right a listing ship. How is it possible a player of his ability has slipped to No. 45 in the world rankings? He hasn't won on the PGA TOUR since the International in 2005.

Sergio Garcia: To move up -- a lot -- in both putting statistics, putts per round and putting average. Maybe he should be spending some time watching Faxon's stroke.

David Toms: To find 10 more yards off the tee. He was tied for 146th in driving distance in 2008. Ten more yards moves him up nearly 100 spots to No. 57 and makes the game easier.

Pat Perez: To turn his sparkling No. 1 rating in the all-around category into something more tangible, like a victory.

Corey Pavin: To be his own man as Ryder Cup captain. It will be tempting to copy Paul Azinger's model and strategy because it was so successful but Pavin must be true to himself and do it his way. That doesn't mean he can't incorporate some of Zinger's game plan, only that in the final analysis, this is Pavin's time to make his stamp.

Jose Maria Olazabal: To take the job as Europe's next Ryder Cup captain. That would give both the Americans and Europeans short game wizards at the helm. It's hard to think of two players from their generation who are better at the discipline and both put it on display as Ryder Cup players.

Woody Austin: To stay out of sand. He ranks just over 43 percent in sand saves and that doesn't get it done. By the way, did you notice how well Austin did with his 2008 resolution to stay out of water hazards?

John Daly: Yes, yes. He already has a resolution but, let's be honest, who needs another more than J.D.? Big John resolves to smile for the camera, whether it's being held by a fan or the authorities.

Annika Sorenstam: To enjoy her retirement -- as long as it lasts.

Tiger Woods: To enjoy his comeback and hope it lasts a very long time.

Vartan Kupelian: To attempt no more poetry in 2009 and wish all of you a totally Happy New Year, on and off your favorite golf courses.

Vartan Kupelian is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.