I've been playing for only a couple years, and as I've progressed (from shooting 100+ to now where I'm low 90s and high 80s), I've gotten an idea of what to work on, and when.

When I started, I was all over the place off the tee. Trees, other fairways, rough, OB... literally everywhere. At first, I tried the "hero" recovery shots. The punch hook through a 5-foot gap between trees, etc... it never worked. About halfway through my first season, I decided to try playing smarter. In the trees- pitch back to the fairway. Aim of the middle of the green, instead of going after the pin tucked way back in the corner between 2 bunkers. Once I got into that mindset, my scores started coming down, to where I ended the season breaking 100.

On to season 2, where I looked to build on my success from the year before. I was still all over the place off the tee with my stock driver (free set of clubs through a points program). I did a lot of research on drivers, new and used, tried some out, and ended up with a used R5 Dual (draw bias). I got longer and straighter off the tee than I had been with the stock driver from the set. I was in play alot more, and I started to stabilize my scores in the mid-90's. My new problem was I couldn't get my irons off the ground. Tops, hooks, slices... you name it, I hit it. I took a couple lessons at the local driving range, and sure enough, my iron play improved. I was able to get the ball in the air, and get some consistency with distance, trajectory and ball flight. I still wasn't hitting alot of greens, because I had (and still have) some issues gauging distances, but I was getting "around the green" in regulation. Sure enough, I broke 90 twice near the end of last year.

As I started this season, I started to think about what I could do to stay at, or better, than "bogey" golf. My solution was my short game. My iron play was OK. I still have the occasional round where my driver and I don't get along, but overall, I'm comfortable tee to around the green. Where I was having issues staying right around +1 on any hole was getting the ball onto the green and 2-putting. I started chipping and pitching with the last 2 dozen or so balls from my bucket at the range. Experimenting with all fo the tips, thoughts and ideas I've read here and in golf mags. I found the flop shot by accident. I found a consistent pitch (50 yard) swing with all 4 of my wedges. I found a usefull 100 yard pitch with my 8i.

To sum up this rambling my thoughts are there:

If you're a 30+ handicap (my first season), you should start by looking at your course management, and do your best to play into the green from the fairway, even if you need to pitch out to do so.

If you're a 25-30 handicap, work on your iron play. If you can't get to the green, you can't make a decent score.

If you're looking 20-25 (me now), short game is where it's at. You're probably around the green in regulation (I know I am), so you need to go from getting on and 2-putting, to chipping it close and 1-putting.

Once I've hit my goal of under 20, I'll go back to my iron play to get more accurate, and hit more greens in regulation.

I know there are probably other schools of thought that will work, there are simply my thoughts, and the progression I have done to get to where I am.

I firmly believe that the most important stroke on any hole is the first one that should get on the green. Where my skill level is at right now, missing the green with that shot has the potential to add two strokes to my score. Of course, what I'm learning lately is that it doesn't do any good to get my approach within five feet if I can't hit the putt.

Driving the ball 20 yards farther than someone else is marginal, maybe 2-3 strokes max. Sharp iron play is another 4-8 strokes advantage.

Short game and putting is the key to golf - period. Anyone, even kids can get there in 3 or 4, but a good chipping and putting game will knock 10 shots off of any score.

Short game
1. Solid contact
2. Distance control

Putting
1. Distance control
2. Line and alignment

I agree mjaber

I am at the same phase in my golf cycle as you. Most beginners are so worried about their driver but I believe course management and iron play go a long way in breaking 100. Once i did that, I started working on my short game and was not two chipping and only two putting instead of three. Now that I am around 90, I want to get more consistent with my irons and putting.

As a low handicapper trying to go lower, i'm in an awkward spot. Every stage of my game is in need of a minor tweak to make a world of difference. Putting, chipping, and wedge play is still my main focus, but like mjab said, hitting GIR will make things much easier.

Today i had a lesson at Golf Etc in lancaster and as it turns out, my right hand was just out of position by a fraction of an inch on the weak side. We tweaked it and i took that to the range. I dropped 90 of 105 balls right on the money and knew where i missed and why when i did (used the old swing) unbelievable. I think the moral is that fundamentals should be a focus too. Just because you're comfortable in your swing doesn't mean it's the best thing for your game. back to basics.

Here's a question for the masses.

Is there any way to work on extremely difficult and unconventional lies?

I found myself with a round last Sunday where these situations were easily the difference between a 101 and having a shot at shooting under 90. Of course, the best strategy is to not get into those situations to start with, but what do you do when, for instance, you can't line up to the ball because obstacles are in the way? Or there isn't a clean flight path at the ball? Or the ball is lying at such an awkward angle, it's almost impossible to hit it cleanly?

Are there any good practice facilities around you? Not sure of any other way than just hitting lots of balls from those lies.

sepfeiff wrote:

Driving the ball 20 yards farther than someone else is marginal, maybe 2-3 strokes max. Sharp iron play is another 4-8 strokes advantage. Short game and putting is the key to golf - period. Anyone, even kids can get there in 3 or 4, but a good chipping and putting game will knock 10 shots off of any score. Short game 1. Solid contact 2. Distance control Putting 1. Distance control 2. Line and alignment

Not having 5 to 10 penalty shots per round off the tee is the first step.If you cannot put the tee shot in play nothing else will help you.

Werepuppie wrote:

sepfeiff wrote: Driving the ball 20 yards farther than someone else is marginal, maybe 2-3 strokes max. Sharp iron play is another 4-8 strokes advantage. Short game and putting is the key to golf - period. Anyone, even kids can get there in 3 or 4, but a good chipping and putting game will knock 10 shots off of any score. Short game 1. Solid contact 2. Distance control Putting 1. Distance control 2. Line and alignment Not having 5 to 10 penalty shots per round off the tee is the first step.If you cannot put the tee shot in play nothing else will help you.

Agree, for someone who has never seen a golf club, getting in the ball in play is always first. My point was geared towards mjabers current hcp. Should have been more clear.