when i first picked up a club at age 35, i knew i had some catching up to do if i wanted to get in on the weekly skins matches my buddies were playing. earlier this year, before the winter thaw, i would visit the heated tees. i would pick up my playing partner every saturday and we would head to the driving range. we wanted to be in mid-season form before we stepped up to the first tee of the '06 season. we would each get a bucket, dump them into the trays of adjoining tee boxes and swing away. id drag a ball out of my tray, set up to it, hit it and look ahead into the sky trying to find it. i figured the more i did this the better i would become. my partners approach to these practice sessions was similar. he would drag a ball onto his mat, set up to it, call over to me ''watch this one, watch this shot, are you watching''? (at this point i come out of my adress to witness what is sure to be a spectacular golf shot) he would then swing, miss his target and swear. this went on for three or four saturdays and now the big day was nearing. the local muni had a sign out front that read ''open friday march 17th''. the week leading to st. pattys day i followed the weather forecasts with glee as they predicted a warm sunny saturday. i arrived at the course, with my wife, an hour earlier than i told my over-bearing partner i would be there. this way i could take my time with no distractions and continue my preparation for my first full round of golf in this, my third season of golf. i was prepared.i had some swings under my belt, a goodnights rest, the kids are safe with the sitter and i even replaced the customary six pack of bud with some power bars. my partner arrived and we met an old-timer on our way to the first tee. he would join us to make it a foursome. and then, i hit my tee shot right, onto the parallel 2nd fairway and continued to hack my way through the trees, eventually to the green and then 3 putted. the second hole was only slightly better. no big deal, i thought, i always find my swing on the third or fourth anyway. fast forward to the par 3 sixth. 139 yds, wide, two tier green, hndcp is 9 out of the 9 holes. i wound up let it rip and chunked the ball into the small brook that runs straight across the fairway 3/4 the distance to the green. my heart sunk. negative thoughts invaded and took over the space in my mind that had only minutes before housed optimism and happiness. i trudged on to the 7th pushing my pull cart ahead of me and dragging my ego along the dirt path, behind me. i was frustrated to say the least so when my partner yelled over to my wife to hurry up and take her second shot i nearly had a meltdown. i bit my tongue, continued to the turn and walked off of the ninth a beaten man. as i walked up the path toward the club house i went straight to my truck, put my bag into the hatch, sat down and opened a beer. i vowed to myself, ''i will not come back to the course until ive learned a golf swing''. since that day ive researched online and found many helpful tips. this sight included. ive tried to soak in as much as i can from tv as well. ive been training at the range whenever i can, applying the advice ive recieved. i feel that i now possess a golfers swing but the thought of bringing it back to the course scares me to death. at the range im hitting the irons and wedges smoothly, cleanly, and with greater distance. they are all ive worked on over the last month. i am now working on tee shots and having trouble with the driver (it bends right halfway through its flight). should i be using the same mechanics with the big stick that im using with the irons? how long should the driver shaft be? i sometimes choke up to the bottom of the grip this feels better on the take away. with my hands at the end of the club i feel like im standing straight up and to rotate with a straight spine would bring the club on a very flat plane. thats where im at. im just beginning to train with the driver so any advice given would be greatly appreciated ps. the old-timer i mentioned in this intro eagled the par 5 5th, that day