Hi Todd,

It sounds as though you are trying hard to improve. It also sounds like you are heading in the right direction. I still think that you are missing the point on the short game when you say "I chip and putt as well as they do". You should strive to get very close to the hole everytime and be close enough to avoid any three putts. Do you keep track of them? Do you know how many putts you take every round? If you don't how do you know if you are improving or not?

As far as the swing problems, I think there are helpful Drills that will help you feel what a good swing should feel like.

In the book by Jim Flick "On Golf" he lists specifically 10 drills that he thinks are key in helping improve your swing, the very thing you are troubled about. What I am suggesting, is take these driills and work on them at the range. They help you develop the feel and muscle memory that you are seeking. Another source I think is fantastic is Greg Willis's site. He lists several drills that I personally have found VERY EFFECTIVE. I personally recommend you learn his "Right Hand Drill". It has already made a postive influence on my swing. It is a great drill!!!

Also, much golf literature is based on Ben Hogan's Five Fundamentals. Sometimes it pays to go thorugh each section and see how your swing compares to it. Granted, some of Hogan's thoughts are slightly outdated by todays standards, but for the most part it is one of the most valued and referred manuals even today.

FInally, I will recommend one more aid that I think is valuable. V1 Golf sells a piece of software that is really nice for analyzing your swing. I use it all the time. It has tons of tools that help you. After you have your swing video taped, it walks you through by asking you specific questions about your problems and then offers specific drillls for you to work on. It is a great tool that also offers split screen and all to look at your swing in detail. You might want to look at it:

http://www.v1golf.com/consumer/default.asp

I have it and I like it.

Don't get me wrong, I am not an instructor but I do know that hard work will improve your game. I work on my game everyday. I am 57 and take it seriously. Improvement does not come easy. For me nothing is tougher than lowering your handicap even one point. That is what the game is all about.

I hope these suggestions help. I am only trying to pass some of the experiences I have had along, hoping it might help someone. Take it for what it is worth and chuck the rest.

Good luck and remember, hit'em long and straight.....

Chessbum....