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Break down your game into the various segments,,ie driving results, long second shots, mid-range second shots, short range shots, (70-135), chipping/pitching, recovery shots and last putting. Decide which area/s need the most improvement (those that are costing you the most shots) and concentrate on those areas with diligent focused practice. Personally, I would limit the number of areas to focus on to three to start, and for sure one area would be chipping and pitching. With good chips and pitches, even the pros wont hit every GIR, and the ability to get up and down can save 3-5 strokes per round.

In our late teens, my brother and I were out playing at our local course, and one of our balls off the tee was a high fade into a very treed natural area. Upon entering, we immediately began to find balls scattered thru out. By the time we had hunted out the area, all four pockets of my shorts were full of balls, and my brother had not only filled his pockets as well but also had stuffed 4-5 more into his underwear. By the time we finished the round, both of us were approaching pure misery, my brother more so than me,,as we had realized that the reason so many balls were just laying around wasn't due to not being able to find them,,,it was the poison ivy that was all over that kept the smarter players from going to look. Needless to say, for several days,,both of us were in total agony, especially my brother, and to this day, I don't ever go into the woods, If I cant reach a ball with my 5 iron,,,someone else can have it.

Just avoid scratch tournaments and you will be ok. I think you will find that most tournaments and competitions are either flighted or handicapped in some way,,so just go out and have fun.

Try asking him what he didnt like about golf. You might get an interesting answer. It could be something as easy to fix just by giving him a shorter course to play,,ie a par 3 course. Another idea might be to let him bring a friend next time. That might solve two problems, by him seeing that his friend doesnt hit it all that far either, and just having a friend along might make it more fun along the way. My grandkids that are that age, get as much fun driving the cart ,,not always possible on most courses. Hunting for balls is also something they enjoy. They also tend to get frustrated when they mishit or whiff, especially off the fairway,,so let them use a tee in the fairway. And make sure to compliment at every opportunity. Also bring a snack, and plenty of juice,,they tend to get hungry and thirsty. With my kids, I found that getting them truly interested in golf didnt happen until around age 10. By then their motor skills had improved along with general strength to the point they could actually get some distance. I found enrolling them in golf clinics was also helpful, being around other kids their age, tended to bring out their competitive spirit, plus hanging around with their friends seemed to help as well.

Chances are that he will just move his primary residence to a no state income tax state, which saves him quite a bit. He can then continue to use his current residence as a secondary home if he so chooses. I think he's actually making decisions just like a lot of other people are that are feeling burdened by their overall tax rate.

I custom ordered my G-20's online, and they were shipped directly from Ping, thru their authorized dealer. I think a better question is to find out if your retailer is an authorized dealer. Once you get your clubs, you then can register the serial numbers with Ping. If in the process of registration you find out they are fakes, you can take action. You may find that the clubs are real. Know this,,Ping controls dealer pricing very seriously, so if you price is significantly below what other Ping retailers are selling sets for, there's a good chance authenticity is questionable.

I voted breaking 80, but would have preferred a 75 option. I just dont have the length at my age to get down below 70, but my short game and putting has improve dramatically the last few years. I have shot 75 twice this year, and seemingly should be able to get below 75, but so far just havent been able to keep 5-6 bogeys off the card and dont make enough birdies to offset the bogeys.

I play on a course where it's common for 5 somes, and due to the course allowing private carts its not unusual that I will be walking, and the other 4 will be in separate carts. I find that teeing off first and being able to get a 30 yard head start down one side of the fairway nearly always eliminates me lagging behind. Its especially true when I outdrive at least one other player, and when I am outdriving all 4, I never lag behind. So really there isnt an reason I can think of where a walker would cause much of a slowdown, except when the walk from green to the next tee is a bit long. And even then, I am usually at the next tee by the time 2-3 have teed off. The main issue is that as long as ready golf is being played, it never becomes an issue. Add to that equation, a group in front, and then its no issue at all,,just due to all of us are usually waiting for the group to clear either the fairway or the green to hit anyway.

I know a couple of 80 year olds that use high lofted woods. It's strange to see someone hitting a wood from 120,,but it seems to work for them. The biggest problem I see is that they tend to get very little spin on the ball, so the ball tends to roll too far once it lands.

Just walk on a course that your father in law doesnt play. Another idea, drive yourself to the course, pay for 18, and just play the last nine holes as a single, if he only wants to play nine. Be conviently unavailable when he wants to play,,and then go either earlier or later than he does. Bottom line, you need to keep good relations with your in laws,,and wife,,so you need to use subtle methods to get the type of golf your would really like.

I think you need to decide which is more important,,shooting lower scores, or playing with your group of current friends. But for sure, you cant win all the time and expect your friends to be happy. If you do actually outdrive them by 20 or more yards,,what's wrong with playing from the blue tees to mitigate your driving yardage. Sure it likely will increase your score, but at least it gives the rest of your group a feeling of being fair.

If two pga professionals cant play 18 holes in 3 1/2 hours, the pace is too slow.

Once you join, all things being equal, its quite likely your frequency of play will actually increase. Mostly due to holiday, and squeezing in a 9 hole round after work. Additionally, you may find your wife and step son wishing and actually playing more as well. So with the cost being a "wash", I'd say go for the membership. Additionally, dont discount the added benefit and enjoyment of tournaments. Being a member also makes it much easier to have a regular group to play with.

When you say sand wedge,,what loft are you using,,there are sand wedges that could range from 52 to 64 degrees? but assuming your sand wedge is 56 degrees,,50 yards seems a bit short even for someone new to golf. It's possible you are opening the face at impact, therefore increasing loft and decreasing distance, but it sounds to me as if you could use a lesson or two from a pro to get an accurate assessment.