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Hi All,

My HI is 17.1. We have a short nine hole course at my club. The longest hole is 103 yards. The average is about 75. My average score for nine is even par. I've been as low as -4 for nine holes and as high as +3 for the nine.

On the regular course I average 30 putts per round and have been as low as 24 putts for 18 holes and as high as 36 putts. I may three put once every 54 holes.

However, as a 17.1 HI indicates I have a problem somewhere, and it's with the long game, where my HI would is probably close to 30. Everyone says how difficult the short game is. For me the short game is what I relish, the long game...

Put me on an executive course and I'd have a single digit HI. On a regulation course I just, well, don't perform too well. I lack distance, accuracy, and just have a lousy full swing. On those days I'm in sinc I can shoot an 82, but normally I am in the low to mid-90s. I have broken 80 twice, but can just as easily shoot a 98.

The only consistency in my long game is my inconsistency. I have been fitted for all my clubs and on those good days my ball striking is very good. But on those days it's not...well, it's just plain ugly (not suitable for younger viewers). It's the old arrow versus Indian phrase (and for any Native Americans reading this post, I apologize if this offends...it's not meant to).

(Commercial break): Today, my 13 year old son hit a 265 yard drive; a nice high draw right down the middle of the fairway, and he chipped and putted very well; he also received four academic achievment awards at his 8th grade graduation ceremony Tuesday).

(Back to rant): Anyway, I am bloody frustrated with my inability to have repeatable full swing. I have a lesson this Saturday and I just HOPE I can get this problem nailed down.

Rant ended, we now return to regular programming.

Well, it's nice that you know where the problem in your game lies.

They say, most of your shots come from within 100 yards so it looks like you have that covered.

I hadn't though of it that way Nikeone. Thanks for the positive spin.

Most everyone has trouble with the long game. Even the pros have problems keeping it in the short grass. Those really long clubs require a precise swing. Any error is maginfied because the ball travels a long way when you hit it or timing is off and you don't hit it very well. Just think about the long path the club head must travel from the take away to the finish. Keeping the club on plane and getting it square on impact takes a lot of effort. Think of all the mental factors that creep in with the driver. We want to hit it a long way so what do we do: We give that little bit extra and in doing the arms get out of sync with our body usually resulting in an open club face. Yes, it is a constant struggle. I hit out of bounds or lose it in the wood at least three times a round and it costs me stroke and distance. On bad days it is worse of course. We try to make adjustments and those adjustments spill over into our swing on the other clubs. So rant away. We have all been there. A big adjustment I have made is to hit a three or five wood whenever possible. I play so many holes where a driver is just not necessary so why use it. Good luck with your lesson.