GangGreen

Same for me. Even though I've worked on a few different aspects of my swing over the years, I always go back to this one whenever the wheels seem to be coming off.

A lot of good points here that I won't repeat but I will say that the best thing I ever did was signing up for multiple lessons from the same instructor. I'm not sure I would have benefited much from a single lesson since the real improvement for me came after many sessions, each building off the ones before. The multiple lessons also gave me an inventory of drills that worked for my specific needs so that I always had something to work on at the range.

Couldn't live without my hybrids now. I have a 20 and 23 degree and use them for shots between 180 - 200 yards. For whatever reason I find them the easiest clubs in my bag to hit well. Longest iron I carry is a 5 iron. As others have mentioned, though, different strokes for different folks. I have a buddy whose about my age and been playing far less then me and he rarely hits his hybrids well but can hit a decent longer iron better than most. Give them a shot, you might be pleasantly surprised. Oh, and I have the Ping irons myself and, for me, their hybrids are fantastic.

Mixed results for the year, I did break 80 twice this year but did not get close to the 10 HI (lowest I got it to was 11.9 for a brief stretch). Oddly enough, I felt like I played much better and more consistent golf this year from tee to green just didn't seem to translate into significantly better scoring. Only thing I can figure is I started playing at a new club during the back half of the season with much tougher greens and I'm sure that accounted for some of the higher scores. I did, however, spend a ton of time this year working on the driver (also new for the year) and had some of my best rounds with it this past season both in terms of fairways and distance, although still need to work on consistency as there were a few clunkers in there as well although those days seemed fewer and farther between.

I started playing again around 3 or so years ago as well and you and I seem to be tracking the same as far as scoring. Good day for me is mid-to-low 80's, but more often then not I'm in the upper 80s to low 90s, can just as easily throw a high 90s round in there when I'm off (although those days seem to be getting fewer and farther between). Finally bit the bullet and joined a golf club this past fall. Tougher course then I'm used to playing and expecting to play more often so should do some good things for my game. Good luck!!!

Usually twice a week at the range, once at the short game practice area (chipping and/or putting), and 1 round a week is what it takes me. Finally bit the bullet and joined a local club so hoping to get out more next year.

Without question its my 23 degree Ping G25 Hybrid. I hit it more consistently then any other club in my bag. It's my 190 - 200 yard club and I feel comfortable using it in all sorts of situations and/or lies.

Thanks and here's to many more boring future rounds!!! Honestly, I knew I had a good front 9 but I was a little shocked that I finally broke threw when I added up my score at the end of the round. Hopefully it wasn't just a fluky round and is a sign of good things to come (not that I suspect I'll break 80 again for some time, but it'll be nice to start playing in the low-mid 80's consistently for a change).

I broke 80 for the first time yesterday with a 78 at my home course. Good (not great) day off the tee, I've hit more fairways in the past but my misses were all long and still playable. 7 GIR's and the putter was in control for the most part. Honestly, there was nothing "spectacular" about the round itself, just stayed out of trouble for the better part of the day and dropped a few longer putts then usual it seemed. The only real odd thing about it is I was coming off what was probably one of my worst rounds ever not too long ago, crazy game for sure.

I still use it as there are still a number of decent deals on a handful of area courses that make up for the fees charged. There are still some good courses on it, but most of them are a little out of the way so it would make sense for them I suppose to still have a few heavily discounted slots to offer. I still use it as there are still a number of decent deals on a handful of area courses that make up for the fees charged. There are still some good courses on it, but most of them are a little out of the way so it would make sense for them I suppose to still have a few heavily discounted slots to offer.

In response to the original post, I'll admit it, I do take into consideration the individuals posted index when I read through the forum responses. Not that I ignore others, but I tend to focus on those replies from people who are around my own handicap figuring they are probably going through the same things I am for the most part.

I've been experimenting myself with gripping down on the driver at the range with some fairly decent results. Haven't had much of a chance to try it out during an actual round so the jury's still out but I do tend to get far less dispersion without any noticeable loss in distance. As a side note, one of my biggest swing flaws is I tend to over-swing and gripping down (along with a narrower stance) seems to help. My instructor had me doing a drill early last season which basically consisted of me swinging with me feet together and choking way down on the club. After a few reps, I would take a slightly wider stance and reduce the amount I was choking down on the club until I eventually got to a "normal" stance/grip. I always seemed to hit the ball 10x better with the narrow stance and lower grip so I figured why not make that my "normal" swing.

Too much play definitely negatively effects me but it's more physical vs. mental. I find as I get more fatigued I lose all fundamentals and my swing gets very vertical, long, and "armsy". With my schedule I usually only get to play once a week on the weekends but the wear and tear from the range sessions in between do add up. I find I play my best golf early in the season after my body has had a chance to recover over the winter, by the time the fall rolls around the swing starts getting a little sloppy (doesn't stop me from going out, but I can tell the difference). As @iacas noted, the key is finding the right balance.

Driver/FW/Hybrids/Irons - Ping Wedges - Cleveland Putter - Odyssey Ball - Titleist