This is for amatuers and pros (like myself). I hope it's not too presumptuous for me to be offering advice, but perhaps I can serve as an example to players frustrated by the early stages of the game, be they oldphardts or not.
First, read the "Game Tips" forum. There is a wealth of info there. I realized that I would need to go beyond the starter clubs and balls. I won't argue the merits of my choice of clubs and balls. I like my clubs and spent a lot of time using different balls before deciding what worked for me. I truly feel that this is a necessary move to turn that corner from high 70's to low 70's or high 60's.
Then I read more tips. I don't worry about the complaints of some of the higher level players as I believe in adapting to the vagaries of the GAME. Not that some of the complaints aren't interesting, but they won't improve your game, just your understanding. I can safely say that 99.9% of my bad shots are my own fault.
The most indespensible tool I've found is Bilko's Wind Calculator (search for it and get it). I like to figure my own distances, but there are so many possibilities it's far more than simple addition and subtraction. I still figure my own distances, but I check them with the Bilko program. And when I come up with a different distance, I use the Bilko number and try to figure out where I made an error. The Bilko charts are pretty much spot on.
Did I mention reading the tips in the forum? Take advantage of the experience of the vets here. Most want to help and there is a wealth of info that will help your game. Play lots of practice rounds to try the different things you learn about and find what works for you before you try them out on ranked rounds.
Lastly, I'm still not great at dinging. Sometimes I do, most times I don't. Sometimes I play shots to miss the ding. I have still improved to where I'm shooting some low 30's on nines. I'm turning that corner from high 70's to high 60's. Got a ways to go, but the game is way more fun when you can have some birdies and maybe some eagles. You don't have to be perfect to have fun and shoot some pretty good scores. If I were great at hitting the ding and could gauge the movement of putts better (maybe my biggest weak spot) I could be shooting regularly in the 60's. I'm not entirely sure that I want to improve so much that I'm aiming to shoot 60-65 all the time. I don't need to be a "top dog" to have fun. Now I'm ready for some competition and a whole new aspect of the game.
Did I mention READ THE TIPS IN THIS FORUM! (Sorry for the caps) If you do your homework, you can improve no matter what your age, and turn that corner from frustration to excitement.