Golf’s not just a game to me — it’s my escape, my obsession, and my never-ending project. I sit at a 15.8 handicap right now, and every single round is a blend of breakthroughs and breakdowns. This is the story of my game — the highs, the hooks, the hard lessons, and the hard-earned wins.

Let’s start at the tee box. I’ve been through the driver gauntlet — from the Callaway Big Bertha to the Mavrik Sub Zero, and now I’m giving the Callaway Paradym a shot with a 50g shaft. Why the lighter shaft? Because I found something interesting: I hit the ball straighter with a 55g shaft than a 60g. Lighter shafts give me that combo of control and distance, and I’m seeing totals anywhere from 270 to 290 yards with the right swing. I’m sticking close to a 10.5° loft setting for forgiveness, and I’ve got my eyes on that neutral face to fight off both hooks and slices. Speaking of which — with the Big Bertha, I was either yanking it left or watching it balloon out right. No in-between. Just chaos.

My irons are a bit more predictable, especially since I’ve focused on swing changes. I’m loading my weight forward, keeping my wrist at an obtuse angle, and letting my arms drop before rotating. That sequence is key. It’s brought my ball striking to a place where I trust it more, especially from wedge range. I’ve also added a subtle tweak with my wedges — pulling my left foot slightly behind the target line. It helps me square the face and keep from leaking shots out to the right. Simple change, big payoff.

Distance control has improved, too. I know that a choked-down 9-iron is my go-to for 130 yards into the wind. That kind of data makes a difference, especially when I’m in scoring range. But if I’m being real, my biggest scoring improvements are coming from how I prep. I’ve learned the hard way that if I don’t spend time on the putting green before a round, I’m guessing all day. So now I show up early, dial in green speed, and give myself a shot at some early pars.

Ball choice matters, too. After trying out both, I’ve found the Pro V1 suits my game better than the Pro V1x. It gives me a more predictable flight and feel, especially on approach shots and around the green.

There’s still a long way to go, but this is what I love about the game — it’s never finished. I’m chasing feel, forgiveness, and flow, one round at a time. Whether I’m pounding fairways or scrambling from the trees, it’s all part of the story. And for me, the story’s just getting good.