[duawLauff]

For the past four years I've been working very hard on my golf game. This includes lessons, practice, more lessons, and more practice. I have an HI of 13.6 and my game breaks down as follows:

Short Game: single digit handicapper
Middle Game: lower/mid-handicapper
Long Game: high/high handicapper

The problem is I can't reach many greens in regulation because I lack distance. On a par 3 course, or executive course I shoot scores below my HI. People have suggested I move up a tee box, but their is no where else for me to move up to. The forward tees aren't rated for me so I wouldn't be able to keep an HI. When I do play from the forward tees I usually shoot in the 70s. It's so nice to hit a green. To hit an approach shot with a 7 or 8-iron and not a hybrid or 5-iron, or even fairway wood.

A "fair" test of golf for me is a course around 5000 yards. My carry distance with driver, according to the launch monitors is 168 yards and my 5-iron carry is 139 yards, which sounds about right.

I'm tired of having to grind all the time. The other day I shot an 81 from the middle tees, and had 24 putts, but by the end of the round I was exhausted from all the grinding.

Golf, for me anyway, seems to taketh but giveth nothing in return. Yet, I keep coming back to it, which I don't quite understand.

I can't quit though. I have no physical limitations, am 54, flexible, 6'5: and 230 pounds. I've also read a lot of psych books on golf, but they haven't helped either.

I release the club too early except when I hit half wedge shots or 9 to 3 shots. On a full swing I just can't make it happen except in rare instance.

I am very confused...and tired. My game is at DefCon1

If any of you have any advice I would appreciate it.