JD616

Last year I stressed the point of playing "safe" golf, I rarely ever went for Par 5s even though I knew I could reach them. I have recently been advised that it is actually better to try to go for them, because you run basically the same risks if you play safe. I have a lot of questions for my instructor and this will definitely be one of them.^^^ As for what you said about ball-striking: I haven't hit a ball outside since November I believe it was, but I have been hitting indoors for the past 4 months. I recently got new irons, Mizuno MP52s, and the shots I have been hitting inside feel so much better than last years and I rarely miss-hit the ball now unless I get lazy or tired. Thank you so much for the help, hopefully you will keep posting in this throughout the season and we will both work our ways down to scratch before years end!

Thank you for that input. I will definitely try to create some difficult shots so that I can practice. By the way my school's home course offers some tough shots because of the way they mow it and take care of it, but I plan to join a country club that is close by. This is the Country Club's website http://avalonlakes.com let me know if you think it is worth joining in my efforts to become a scratch

I take lessons from a local instructor that is well known for his work with young players (13-22). Unfortunately I have only had five lessons with him and they were all last year. He is currently booked until April, but I don't mind waiting because that is when he starts outdoor instruction. I'm also playing in a junior tour in May, June, and July

My goal is to become a scratch golfer by next year. I'm a 15 year old and I can play as many holes as I would like and use the range as much as I want to from June 1st until late fall at one course. Any help is appreciated! I get out of school on May 31 and from then until September I will practice at least 6 days a week. I'm lifting and running to try and gain some endurance and strength to keep me going through the rounds and practice that I will be going through. I'm posting this to see if anyone has any tips, drills, or pointers that will help me achieve my goal. If anyone has anything useful please post it here. Thanks, JD

thanks, and I have considered Vokey wedges they are by far my favorite to hit

Well here is what I have upgraded so far: Old New Irons Callaway X-16 (3-SW) Mizuno MP-52 (3-PW) Putter Taylormade Rossa Daytona **Suggestions?** Wedges Taylormade RAC 52/56 **Suggestions?** Hybrid Nickent 3DX 5 Hybrid **Suggestions?** 3w Taylormade 2007 Burner Taylormade 2008 Burner Driver Taylormade R7 Superquad 10.5 Titleist 909D3 9.5 (Still use both can't decide which one) Any and all suggestions are much appreciated.

I have never even heard of The First Tee, what is it?

1. Get my handicap down to 5 or lower 2. Break 70 on 18 and break 35 on 9 3. Win a tournament 4. Make it out of Sectionals and hopefully to State 5. Be the league MVP 6. Make more pars,birdies, and eagles 7. Play more than ever before

Also, I would teach common courtesies and respect for others. Not only is it a lesson for the game, but it is a lesson for life.

I play for my high school team and one of the drills we do is on the following link: http://golf-putting-drills.blogspot.com/2009/09/circle-putting-drill.html Another variation of the drill is to just putt 10 balls from one spot to the hole from 5,7, and 10 feet

First,some background information: 15 years old 5 foot 7 190 lbs Lift 3-4 times per week Hit about 500 balls per week My stepfather thinks that by lifting I am going to lose flexibility in my swing. I told him that as long as I stretch before and after my flexibility will not be hindered, but rather increased as a result. What I do on days I lift: Exercise Weight Reps Sets Full Squat 275 7 4 Bench 150 10 3 Incline 135 8 3 Tricep Pushdown 150 10 3 Single Arm Ext. 40 15 4 Dumbbell Press 55 10 4 Front Squat 185 8 3 Core Workout for 15 minutes, then 15 minutes of jump rope After this I stretch extensively for about 15 minutes. Anybody think this will hinder my flexibility, and if so what should I change? Thanks, Josh

I start my practice off with some stretching, no point in practicing if you risk injury. I then move on to my wedges 5 shots with each to a certain area. I follow up by progressing through my bag in this order 9i,7i,5i,3i,3w,driver taking 5-7 good strokes with each. After that I'm pretty much warmed up and can finally begin take some good swings. Being that I am 15 I feel as though I can just swing forever, often playing 54 holes a day and hitting up to about 500 balls a day. My coach gave me some advice last year and it is guaranteed to help anyone. For every ball you hit with anything other than a wedge, hit 2 with a wedge. After I get done playing all day I like spending the last hour of daylight putting and hitting shots into the 18th green from the bunkers,rough, and fairway.