If at all possible, get some lessons. This will speed up your progress. Read some golf mags, visit the forums on this board and get an idea of the basics of the swing. I know one thing that held me back a long time was not having goals when practicing. I never really understood the basics of the swing so when I practiced I was just hitting balls which just gets boring. You need specific things on which to work. There are so many things which can cause a given problem in your golf swing so one tip may give some temporary relief but then something else creeps in and you are slicing again. Greg gave good advice. Keeping a shorter controlled swing should help you keep it in play and enjoying your rounds. Good luck, and get those lessons.