Currently now playing to a +.3 handicap, it's my lowest rating since returning to serious golf in April of 2017. After a really good September of scoring, I experienced a letdown in October and sought out a PGA teacher, John Dodd, who noticed my inside swing path quite noticeable back and through the ball. This required me to overcompensate my hands to close to try and get back to the target line which made consistent ball flight too much guess work. While I having talent to manage it at times, it's less than optimal when playing under pressure or having the confidence that you can make the ball go where you want. This was true in the golf I had played even in September where I finished 2nd in both of the two separate 2 day tournaments I competed in. There were breakdowns which cost me realistic opportunities to win both of them. I met with John on November 1st and he noticed immediately my path was way inside. He had me work on taking the club straighter back, more out and upright in order to have my hands set better so when I came back into my downswing I wouldn't have to manipulate my hands as much, keeping the clubface much more square and solid through out the swing, which kept me better on line to my target. I could utilize my body through the ball, keeping my hands more firm and solid at impact. This produced some quite remarkably straight shots. Anyway, I had a few days to practice this move, but when I did it right, it was money. This bore out as I played in the SWSGA event on the 12th. Playing the back nine first, #10 (par 5)I failed in my 1st tee shot and went left... took a bogey. My second tee shot on #11 was a slight pull which stayed in the fairway and I followed it up with a good gap wedge to get within 25 ft of the hole and made an easy 2 putt for par. The par 3 #12 hole was playing 154 yds and there was a very slight 4 mph wind blowing against us... My stock 9 is usually in the 155 range so I gave it a solid full swing with the intention of hitting it straight at the hole with the firm square hands to keep it solid at impact. Damn if it didn't go straight and landed about foot short of the hole and popped in. It felt good on impact but I didn't see it land because the sun was a little bit in our eyes and the glare of the green was hard to make out... I pulled out my range finder to get a look at the green, but I was surprised I couldn't see my ball. I thought maybe it possibly drifted right or something, but it certainly felt good when I hit it. As I got to the green I still couldn't make out where my ball was and only when I looked closer, I saw there was a ball mark really close the hole. And then it occurred to me that maybe......? Damned if it wasn't laying in the cup! So that was pretty cool and moreover an affirmation of wonders of golf and putting a good swing on the ball... it still takes luck for it to take the right hop, based on the green slope and all, but that's all you can hope for is to offer up the best shot you can and let the dice, or ball roll where it will. There's no doubt that hole in one's are a mixture of chance and good effort. But this just confirmed that when you practice to put a good swing on the ball, you will be rewarded. All you can do is swing the club with as good a form as you can muster in your execution, and don't steer it. Let 'er fly, and by and by, you'll find, that golf is just an imagination in your mind, with consequences that can amaze you as well as faze you. As Dustin Johnson said... when you get up there don't hesitate or think too much.... you'll either hit a good shot or a bad shot, so don't waste your thinking or your time in getting on with it. Just do it! As the round worked out, I dealt with inconsistency all round and also a bit of misfortune as I had just picked up a new custom built Titleist UDI 510 3 iron the day before... I was really looking forward to using it as this course has a lot of tight holes that weren't exceptionally long, but required keeping it in play. Anticipating this, I had at least 5 holes where this new club was going to come in handier that a 3 wood. As it turned out, I used it on my tee shots in 2 of the next 3 holes with beautiful results. And as I teed it up on my ninth hole of the day, #18, I was looking forward to another good shot, but then.... as I impacted the ball, my shaft completely shattered at the hosel, causing my ball to tumble left and almost out of bounds into the desert only 180 yards out!!!!! WTF!!!!! I proceeded to double bogey the hole. I used my 4 iron to complete any layups on the next nine, but on the last hole of the day, #9 (537 yd par 5), I hit a perfect drive leaving me 237 to the hole. Unfortunately, the 3 iron was the exact club I needed. I was 5 over for the day already, so I was going for the green and my 4 iron was the club I had to use. I knew I'd have to swing hard, which of course was not smart and I failed on the attempt, sending the ball right into a water hazard and ending up with a double bogey on the hole. I shot a 79! Bittersweet to say the least. It was the story of the day as I was able to hit most of my tee shots very well, but failing to follow up with any consistency. I credit or blame this on the very fact that I haven't yet grooved the new swing move into my subconscious and ever time I hit a good shot with the right move, I'd be too conscious in trying to repeat it. The swing is funny that way, but it all makes sense and I'm very encouraged to keep it up. Can't wait to get that UDI back in the bag as well, along with updating my Vokey wedges to the new SM8 (just picked up a 60.8 today; my 54 degree SM6 has been a solid performer so I'm sticking with it for a bit longer). Anyway, if anyone actually reads this... that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!