Lower handicap

Question
Hi Eddie,
In the past you has answer few of my questions, which helps me a lot :-)
Now my handicap is 8 (after 3,5 years of play) and I have 2 major problems now to go lower.

1. Driver distance
2. Short game

Ad 1.Driver distance
I have 1 plane swing according Jim Hardy definition.
I hit 95y with 56 wedge, 125y with pitching wedge, 160y with 7 etc. So me irons are quite good concerning distance and precision too.
My driver is excellent as fairways hits (75% average) but I hit with it only 230y as average. My wood 5 I hit 200y.
What I have to do to increase driving distance ?
With irons distance comes from compression of the ball to the ground (divot). But with driver ?
Sometime I can hit 250y but I dont know why :-) ?
What to do to increase that distance ?

Ad2 Short game.
That concern chip and runs, short pitches from 10 to 30y and also the longs put over 20 feets.
Technically speaking it is more or less ok but the precision is another story.
Usually I am to short or to long.
My % of up and downs from 10 to 30 y is only 17% (on 20 games) and on average I do 9 green in regulation.
For 10 to 30 y in either chip and run or pitching I have only 1% of accuracy to be 3 feet to the hole.
How to do better ???

So you see what is the problem. Just 2-3 saves per game and my handicap will go down 2-3 points.
How to practise that distance control ?
How pros do it, I mean for ex 30 min technique, 30 min precision etc ?
Which drils and how ?

My lagging (putts from over 20 feet) is also bad (only 15% putts close 3 feets to the hole)

What would be your advices to improve those two thongs - driver and short game.
Give me some exmples on how I can improve that ?

Thanks a lot
Chris

Answer
Hi Chris:

Distance:  Get more flexible and get stronger.  Work out.  Find a good fitness instructor who knows the golf swing and get to work on your body.  You need more speed and more speed is developed through more flexibility and strength of the proper golf muscles.  Also, make sure to find a good clubfitter who can guide you to find the right combination for you in a driver.  You must find the perfect match of the shaft and the clubhead to give you maximum launch and roll.  If you haven't done that yet, I suggest you do.  

Short Game:  Send me your personal email address and I'll send you my Short Game Practice Sheets.  They will give you a structured way to measure your improvement.  

Eddie Kilthau
www.victorygolfworks.com
PGA Member