Smitty,
Have you tried zooming all the way out before you try to focus on something very close. When you use the zoom, you increase the minimum focus length.
See page 75 of your G9 user guide (manual). It explains how the camera will basically switch out of macro mode when you zoom in. With the display set properly, you can see the range of focus right on the screen. Zoomed most of the way in, the minimum focus is 19.6 inches. Zoomed all the way out it is 0.3 inches! That is a big difference.
Bottom line, if you want to use zoom and be really close, you need a close-up lens... or two.