acing1

No, you did not insult me but thanks anyway for the apology. The frustrating thing for me is practicing all of the things I know. I know the head should never be ahead of the ball yet I have been guilty of swaying in the past. I DO indeed get too quick with my upper body and am just focusing on a proper tempo this year. So far, so good; I shot an 82 the other day. Last year, my typical 87 average ballooned to an 89. It's tough when you know you possess more talent than you demonstrate. But, this year is off to a positive start. Once I get down to a 12 or 11 handicap, I belive I can get down to a 9. I would be ecstatic with an 11 though because I only average 25 rounds a year.

Combining the lessons with trying to relax and enjoy your golf rounds will guarantee that you score at least six strokes less per round. Once you get used to the new swing/grip/stance concepts and relaxed golf, you will probably shave even more than six strokes off your scores. Just do not expect immediate results from the lessons. Most reputable pros will tell you that lessons generally take 2 months to bear the fruit of what you have learned. Regarding focusing too much on score, I have made improvements there but am always seeking other ways to do it. My problem was grip and shifting my weight properly but believe with the 82 I shot the other day that my scores will come down. When you sense you ar thinking too much about your score, just try to forget a bad hole and try positive self-talk. Say to yourself while on the tee , "I will par the next hole." You'd be amazed that just saying such a thing in your mind can result in a high percentage of success. Another thing is to just shrug off your bad holes. Always approach every round with the knowledge that you will hit bad shots and card have bad holes. Good luck.

Thank you. Good advice and yes, my diet is pretty good due to necessity. My HDL is too low, so exercise is a must. In two months, I will have a physical. Now, about your handicap. How did you get down to a 10 handicap? I have tried for six years now to become a 12 and virtually every year, am a 13. I know the short game is vital to scoring but what areas (chipping/pitching/putting) of the short game do you practice most and what is your short game practice routine?

I play about 25 rounds a year on average and pay about $36 per round. I have two kids and so, I, too, am on a golf budget. I try to limit my $50+ rounds to five per year and also hunt for the coupons. But, when I play an upscale, because I play few courses like that a year, it is a real treat. Playing in the afternoon enables me to pay less. Several courses offer free rounds (if you walk like me) if you fill out a survey. Last year, I received a free round plus a vastly reduced rate on another course, so I try to look out for surveys. I also get deals by signing up for special e-rates over the net.

I played my first round Tuesday on a course I haven't played in fifteen years. I went into the round with no expectations and played relaxed golf, shooting an 82, which is a course best for me there. My previous best was an 84. Not having played it in so long, the course was not too familiar to me but some of it came back to me as we played. Regardless, I was astonished that I scored so well. Does anyone else have trouble expecting too much in regards to score?

My goal remains to decrease my handicap from a 13 to a 12. I have sought to do this for six years now but to no avail. It's like I am stuck in quick sand. Whether my scoring average for the golf season is 87 or 89, I usually end up a 13. To become a 12, I will focus less on scoring average and handicap thoughout the year and more on milestones. It seems that whenever I try to accomplish new course bests, I accomplish those goals frequently. So, for most rounds, I will focus on establishing new course "bests." The theory is that this will keep my focus on process and not score. Sounds like an oxy moron, I know, but this has worked for me before.

Good advice. My strengths are short game but my chipping can use work. My weakness has been hooking drives and other shots but I believe that has been rectified. I cannot wait until the 2008 season. I plan on playing in a few weeks to test my optimism; that is, if the weather permits it.

Very good questions, all of which determine how you score. I average 32 putts per round, with 5.5 1-putts per round. I hit 5 fairways a round and 4.5 greens. However, those fairways and greens averages were due to my hooking problem. Towards the very end of last season, I appeared to correct that. I, too, evaluate every round in a similar fashion and in fact, can get too anal about it. I believe my game will improve but know the short game can be the easiest way to shave strokes.

Not to be a smart alec, but do you think of all these things when swinging a golf club? I would think not. My problem has always been coordinating my upper and lower body parts and when I do that I play like a single digit handicapper. My problem is that it hasn't happened very often. LOL. It's a humbling game. This spring I will focus on a slower takeaway and smooth transition with my initial hip "bump." When I swing too fast, it results in a plethora of issues, all of which are about timing. I am confident this will finally be my season to get down to a 12 or even 11 handicap.

I totally "understand" the shifting of weight during the swing. Above I alluded to a swaying problem that resulted from my exaggeration of or incorrect shifting of weight. I realize that swaying is not shifting weight. When you say the golf swing is complex, that's true and untrue. It's as complex as people make it. For those that try to simplify it, the swing isn't rocket science. I will simplify my swing but simply need to ingrain better rhythm.

This sounds good. I began making progress on shifting my weight properly and making "square" contact very late in the season. Early on I made progress, yet regressed when I started to speed up my swing. That's my killer; I get too quick and I become way to wristy and handsy. At one point of the season, I overdid the weight shift, which caused my head to be slightly ahead of the ball at impact. I think I just need to focus on slow swings, whereby I delay my release until late. I need to swing with my hands apart, which should provide the correct shifting feel throughout the swing. Thanks for your suggestion.

I am all for simplification but without shifting your weight, how do you strike the ball squarely? Surely, your weight shifts and perhaps it is so seemless that you don't even realize it. I agree that a 3/4, more simplified swing is better than a full swing. It's much more repeatable, the fewer the moving parts.

I calculate my handicap by using the U.S.G.A handicap calculator straight off the USGA web site. It's simple to keep your own. The formula is pretty simple.

Yep. Tiger may be the most talented but the greatest is measured by major victories. Tiger has a way to go yet. Jack was awesome and did not begin golfing until 8 (I believe).

Thank you; I have heard of this one and will try this one and others to "slow" down my body. I often try to crush the ball and subsequently, my arms lead my body to the ball. When my body leads, I make excellent contact with few hooks.