Practice makes perfect
I've now gotten out and played a little golf in the past month or so. And my total score is increasing. I actually keep track of how I'm playing - what more scores are, how many putts I had, etc. throughout the year. I started last season, and it's a really useful way to see if/how my play is changing. For a while it was a lot more granular - including shots with woods, long, middle and short irons as well as putts but that gets kind of annoying to keep track of throughout the round.
Last year, I kept track of most rounds I played and I had steady improvement all year... It finally hit me this morning what one of the big reasons for that improvment - last year I was going to the driving range for lunch probably 2 - 3 times a week. I wouldn't necessarily get to hit a ton of balls but it was a still a good way to get some practice in. So far this year I haven't been to the range more than once or twice in total - the rain has returned with a vengence and when it has been nice enough outside, work has been too hectic to step out...
I think I've been at Microsoft too long: I've started applying some of it's philosophies to my regular life... This is the second year that I have set goals for my golf game. Last year the goal was just to shoot under 100 - and I did achieve that mark a few times, with a low score of 93. This year, my goal is to average in the mid-to-low 90s and to dip down into the 80s. Hopefully I can correct the trend but putting in some more time practicing and getting back into the swing of things.