Dateline: Friday, Dec 9, Apple Valley, MN

So I'm taking today off, but unfortunately it is not to play golf! In fact, it's not even to go and be fitted for a new driver ... although I tried to schedule an appointment for such. Seems new U of M Women's coach Michelle Redman and two of her players had the same idea, but acted on it sooner than me.

In my effort to find extra distance (who doesn't), I have been trying other drivers. My 7-year old Titleist 983K driver is working quite well (I hit 12 of 14 fairways in my last round at Pinehurst), but I hit it very high and have issues with the ball ballooning when playing into a strong wind.

This past summer, I attended a demo day at Golden Valley G&CC and had Deb Snowden fit me with a Nike VR Tour Driver. I thought I had the answer but decided to wait. This past Friday, I went down to 2nd Swing in Minneapolis to test a Nike driver they had in stock that was close to my specs against my Titleist in a controlled environment. Expecting/hoping I would see a difference of 15+ yards, I found that I was almost as good with the Titleist, gaining only 5-7 yards. We even tried different golf balls to see if that made a difference - but not really.

So, today I had hoped to go to Totally Driven Golf and try different driver combos - heads & shafts - against my Titleist. Two years ago, I did the same only to be told my driver was the best one for me. Shouldn't technology over the past two years give me that 15+ yards I want/need to be a better player? Unfortunately, my search will have to wait for another day.

The moral of this blog? Even though it is -2* outside doesn't mean we have to stop dreaming, thinking or tinkering with our own golf games! Now is the perfect time to figure out how to shave another 3-5 shots off our scores. This includes becoming more knowledgeable in the Rules - so get that 2012 Rules of Golf book and study up. You'd be surprised how knowing the Rules will help your game. Books are available free of charge (plus shipping) from the USGA!

In the off-chance I do not write another blog before the holidays, here's wishing each of you a blessed Christmas, Happy New Year and peace-filled Holiday season!

Cheers-

Doug