Mike:

Always great to read your column. Today's has hit home particularly. I am in Louisiana and miss the beautiful Utah weather, but am enjoying Gray Plantation -- a great public course ranked in the Golf Digest 100 Best Public Courses.

I have been here in Lake Charles, LA for just two months. Thanks to a superb golf pro, I have seen my handicap drop from 13.6 to 5.8 in that period -- with the pro telling me that I can continue to get lower if I work on several key swing faults.

One thing I learned was that equipment makes a difference. The pro proved that point, showing me how the excess flex in my regular shafts caused me to have to slide to adjust for the way the club was closing. Although I had several great rounds in Utah, my swing "fix" was a recipe for restricting my potential improvement.

Despite the sea level altitude, I am now hitting the ball "Utah distances" here in LA -- with hopes to continue to improve. I heartily endorse going to a good pro and getting fitted to proper equipment.

Best to you!

Cam Caldwell

I disagree. I believe that if a person grows up playing golf every day, that person can be a pro. Take Tiger Woods for example.