To improve your game you must partake in all five elements of golfing:

1. Professional instruction
2. Properly fitting, quality equipment
3. Practice
4. Play
5. Positive attitude

To elevate yourself from a mediocre player to a good player, you must obtain the traits of a good player:

1. Good players consistently hit the ball on or near the center of the clubface.
2. Good players can control the clubface angle and the clubhead path during the swing.
3. Good players strike the ball with the clubhead in a descending arc in line with the center of gravity of the ball.
4. Good players strike the ball with the clubhead at an accelerating rate coming into impact.
5. Good players have confidence in their ball striking and golfing ability in general, usually as a result of dedicated practice.

To hit consistently you must learn to hit the ball square:

1. The squarer the hit, the more energy that is applied to the ball, resulting in greater distance.
2. The squarer the hit, the less curve on the ball, usually resulting is a straighter hit.
3. The squarer the hit, the greater amount of back spin applied to the ball, giving the ball greater altitude and a greater angle of descent. This usually means the ball rolls less which leads to more consistant distance for each club, especially for the shorter irons.
4. The squarer the hit, the more solid the impact and the more satisfaction you have with your swing.
5. Variables which have an effect on squareness of hit:
   1. Clubface angle (left to right variance)
   2. Lie angle (toe up - toe down variance)
   3. Loft angle (face upright to face flat variance)
   4. Clubhead center of gravity
   5. Shaft flex, material, weight and flex point
   6. Club length
   7. Swing weight and total weight
   8. Grip size

To get consistent you must practice intelligently.

1. Practice sessions are not endurance marathons. Simply beating balls for hours on end is not an effective way to improve your game.
2. Set a goal for your practice session. Work on 1 or 2 things and practice this. If you are taking lessons then really focus on that part of the swing you are learning and perform the drills your instructor suggests.
3. Warm up your muscles before you practice and do those stretches.
4. Start your practice using a wedge so that you can get your swing rythym before moving on to those larger irons.
5. If you are practicing a particular shot then vary your irons to simulate a real game.
6. Quit when you're tired.
7. Practice at home without a ball - this will let you work on your swing mechanics and help strengthen your golfing muscles.
8. Don't get frustrated with your progress. You'll always have good days and bad days. Improvement never runs in a straight line.
9. Try to finish after a good shot rather than a bad shot so you can end your session on a positive note.
10. HAVE FUN!!