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Well, after a somewhat dissapointing season for school golf this year, I am ready to really work hard to improve my game a lot this summer.

I have already told my parents that I'm not working, I will play 3-4 times a week instead. I am currently shooting mid 80s and my bad rounds are mid 90s. I know this is good for someone my age but our number 1 player is graduating and there is a big gap between me and him ( he shoots mid 70s and his bad rounds are high 70s). Also, my coach told everyone at our school's athletic banquet that he expects me to fill the number one spot next year. I really don't want to let him down and I want to exceed his expectations. I know golf is only a game but I want to be really good at it while it still counts for the next 2 years. I am going to be taking lessons with my club pro once every two weeks or so to keep my game up.

Anyways, what are some tips for you guys for me to really see some improvement over the summer? I want my average rounds to be mid-high 70s by the end of August. I hit an average of 200 balls a day in my homemade "driving range" in my backyard and I have an old flagstick that I chip/pitch 30-40 balls a day to, so practice is taken care of. Is there anything I can do during rounds that will help better exercise my game?

Thanks
Ryne

Well, you are already better than me so it is hard to think of giving advice -but I would concentrate on the short game and course management.

Fairways and Greens are nice - but most of us waste more strokes around the green than on our way to it.

Next time you play, don't just count your putts but count how many shots you take with your 52 and 56 wedges (or any club used inside 50-60 yards). These shots will tell you where you need to practice.

We take more than half of our strokes with the putter and wedges but think practice is going to the range and pounding balls with a driver, woods and long irons.

I have had some of my best rounds (handicap 17, my lowest is 81 on a short par 70) on days when it seemed like I was in the rough (trees?) all day but was able to get up and down. The other tough thing to learn is when to just punch out and take your bogey and not try the hero shot over/through the trees that may work 20% of the time but usually doesn't.

I suggested that to my wife and she's still laughing!