Help?

Here's my story. I played in high school for a short while before deciding that I wasn't improving much at all. I quit for a few years. Now, I'm getting back into it, hitting the ball straighter and longer than ever. In fact, I'm more pleased with my sweet contact than ever before that I'm glad I stayed with wanting to play the game well. But I'm having problems like most mid-high handicappers do.

The problem I seem to be having the most is with my transition to the downswing. Lately, I've been crushing the ball....180 yards fairly consistently with a 6 iron. For someone like me, that can rarely hit driver from the tee, it's a great feeling to be able to hit a 6 that far. Then, there are the times where I'll set up and top/skull a ball wondering what I've done wrong. I think I may be a tad bit overdoing things. The left side of my left knee is swollen, and I think that's due to my takeaway issues. I think my takeaway is entirely too fast....which is something my instructor has me working on. My left heel usually comes off of the ground during my backswing. Also, I think I'm swinging more with my arms than with my "one-piece block" as my instructor calls it. I've noticed that I seem to be having trouble with dropping my elbows a little bit on my downswing AND keep my right wrist locked in the delayed position.

I hit the driving range just about every day. Instead of the "phone booth method", I try to swing in the shower. I stand up and swing at work. I hang out with my friends and swing. I've got the bug/itch to play well. I think I need more good instruction than what I'm getting for an hour a week. Don't get me wrong...my instructor is great. I can hit iron well because of him. I'm looking for advice more or less. Thanks in advance. It's appreciated.

work on one fundamental at a time your coach should give you things to work on and drills, if not get a different one. dont get your mind cluttered with a hundred different drills and thoughts, it wont help a bit. take it slowly and youll progress much faster. and stop worring about crushing the ball, it just leads to pore mechanics and bad shots. one step at a time its the fastest way there.

I will try dropping my foot back a bit when I go to the driving range again. I've never had this problem before so automatically I think I'm doing something wrong with my swing. Golf isn't something I want to quit, but I do want to walk in 10 years.

I left work early last Friday to try and get 18 in. Well, my tee time was a bit late and with 3 out of the 4 people in my group being not so experienced, we didn't get to finish. Anywho, I had fun which I realize is the whole point, but it was a terrible. I topped just about every swing, balls going straight but not very far (30 yards or so). I did have a few good shots (one nice particular sw to the center of the green with a single 6' putt for par). Who knows what my problem is? I can't seem to duplicate what I do at the driving range as compared to what I'm doing on the course. *sigh* I know it's a difficult game to get for those that aren't naturals, but argh! it'd be much more fun doing it the right way always.