First, develop a routine. You can borrow one from your favorite golfer or concoct your own, but without a routine, you can't play good golf. I also have found that a swing trigger or hitch can provide consistency and confidence in your swing. The next thing you have to do is find a teacher. Golf is a game of feel, but fixing just one detrimental swing move can improve your score tremendously.
Golf costs money.
If you want to get better, you are going to have to pay for it. I took my first lesson this summer, at Golf in the Round from former Utah teacher of the year Ken Clark. I had read several magazine articles and books that specifically explained the swing plane and grip, and I thought I had them both up to par. I was wrong. The device plugs into your computer so you can keep track of your stats and tendencies on accompanying software.