Improving my game.

Hello All,

I wanted to post this on this forum because I have kind of hit a wall as far as my handicap is concerned. I took up golf seriously about 6 months ago and I was easily a 30 or more handicap at the time, but now I am down to a 6.4. I have been playing 2-3 week through this period and feel like I am now at a status quo as far as my golf game is concerned.

Recently, I was able to shoot a +7, +4, and +2 at a local par 60 course (approx. 3500 yards total - I missed out on my chance last week in finally breaking par as I was even through 16 and finished +2... those nerves I tell ya). My best rounds at a par 72 (approx. 6000 yards) are +7, +8, and +10. I own some terrible clubs that were given to me 10+ years ago (A wilson iron starter set that was maybe worth $100 new at the time). I have some assorted used clubs that I sometimes use that can make a big difference, but still am forced to use the older clubs on certain shots. I have a used driver and used woods to complement the rest, but those are old and ancient as well.

My goals: I want to be able to play in an amateur tournament by the end of March and hopefully be competitive without possibly using the handicap. I also want to shoot under par multiple times in March/April and moving forward.

My strengths: My noticeable strengths are my chipping and putting. They seem to make up for some of the bad hits or my lack of distance with my clubs. Anything within 100 yards and around the green I can almost always get in the hole in 2-3 shots. If I find myself in the woods, I does have some workability in getting it back into play and down range. This past month I have learned a baby draw, but I hit it perhaps 70% of the time when I try for it (or hook the crap out of it when I don't). I am a natural fader.

My weaknesses: My driver is awful. I slice it or hook it 8 times out of 10. I have practiced it over and over, watched countless videos and nothing. This might require a lesson or maybe I am using the wrong driver. I resort to my 3 wood and 5 wood often instead to make sure it stays in the fairway. My distance is also a problem. I have worked my way up even with these terrible clubs, but perhaps new clubs will add another 10-15 yards to each? I know I could use a little better timing with my hips and lag to get more distance. I am not tall, so it takes a lot for me to get even these mediocre distances.

Driver: 200-270 (depending on if I slice it or not)

3W: 230

5W: 215-220

Hybrid: 210

3i: 200

4i: 190

5i: 180

6i: 160

7i: 150

8i: 140

9i: 130

PW: 120

GW: 110

SW: 100

Some obvious things I will do:

1. Buy new clubs (I get a substantial discount with Taylormade and am considering making the big leap to Tour Preferred CB irons)

2. Maybe get a lesson with my driver

I plan on keeping my routine the same playing 2-3 times a week, 4 times at the range, and 2-3 times chipping and putting (which I really enjoy because that's free). Any suggestions for this timetable would be appreciated.