Cautious optimism

It's good to be confident and optimistic, but much better to be cautious when it comes to golf. Golf has a way of biting back just when you think you have it worked out.

Having said that I am cautiously optimistic that I have found a grip, tempo and swing that will allow me to play golf at a reasonable level for my age. I can't drive the ball three hundred yards or find more than half the greens in regulation, but I can keep the ball in play and give myself plenty of par opportunities.

My problems with hooking have reduced now that I've realised I need to turn aggressively through the shot. It's this combined with my connection theory (upper left arm and chest) that have given me back the consistency and to some extent power that I had lost. Connection is something that many golfers suffering from inconsistency could benefit from - if only they could trust that it works.

I'm now able to virtually take the right-hand side of the course out of play hitting, as I am now, a controlled draw. I find it a more satisfying ball flight than a fade, which for me often used to end up as a straight shot or even a double-cross hook.

But it's not all beer and skittles. My short game, and I mean chipping and lag putting, are still not at a standard I am happy with. Too often I give myself a chance of a chip and putt par only to take three or even four to get down. It ruins any chance of a really good score, turning great into just OK.

Clearly, I need to work on my short game. I think with putting there are some good signs, but I do need to develop and consolidate a chipping strategy - because it is such an important element in the non-professional, green-missing amateur. I've dabbled with wedges and nine irons and not really been able to settle on a method. Something to think about - with cautious optimism.