[mabramb]

For me it's the effort I use to hit the ball a certain distance. I don't know how "hard" you are swinging to hit the distances you quoted but for me I try to use 70-80% of my max effort when I am on the course. I can hit a 9 iron 130-140 yards but a lot of times I would ratehr hit a 8-iron at 70% because of the accuaracy I gain in swinging with less effort.

I have certainly gained more yardage applying TGM methodology but the real rewards have been in accuracy. Having a great chance at getting on in two (or one on most par 3's) and/or chipping and pitching the ball within 6 feet consistently is, for me, what TGM has provided and where the true value lies.

There a lot of GREAT people that are on this forum to help you improve but we as human beings sometimes can't see the forest for the trees and need someone else to take a look, look, look for us. My next goal is to see a TGM Instructor to get a professional point of view. I want to get my handicap down to 8, 9 or 10 (I'm about a 12 now)by summers end and I believe having someone from this teaching mothodology can help me accomplish that.

Best of luck, you're probably much closer than you think.