Breaking 80

[bradz1810]

Hey Guys,

 

For all the good golfers out there, I am wondering what are some tips for players trying to break 80? I shoot low to mid 80s consistently but haven't managed to get over the hump. I am trying hard to avoid the few double bogies, but they still seem to be out there...any advice?

[shortstop20]

Need to know your stats.

Fir %
Gir %
Putts per round
Driving distance
penalties per round

Where do you think you are losing most of your strokes?

[duffer987]

Go play an easy 5500yd par 70-72 course/set of tees and get your round in the 70s.
Then don't worry about it after that and just enjoy the game

[bradz1810]

[quote name='shortstop20' timestamp='1411533290' post='10173309']
Need to know your stats.

Fir %
Gir %
Putts per round
Driving distance
penalties per round

Where do you think you are losing most of your strokes?
[/quote]

FIR 10/18
GIR 8/18
Don't know putts per round (but I do know that i've struggled with the putter and still managed to be in the 80s)
Driving Distance 260-280
3 or 4 penalties per round.

I think I'm losing strokes from putting and penalties.

[shortstop20]

Far too many penalties.

One or no penalties in a round is what you need to aim for.

[golfingnut300]

Short Game, Short Game, Short Game. Up and down from anywhere, or at least one chip and 2 putts, everytime! Bunker game? If you hit your driver that far, your probably not that acurate with it. Look into a 3 wood or some other fairway finder. Get it in play, near the green and then up and down = breaking 80. Also, can you take away one half of the fairway? What I mean by that is, you need a one way miss, always fade it or always draw it. Easier said than done I know, I dont break 80 nearly enough!!!

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='bradz1810' timestamp='1411533674' post='10173335']
[quote name='shortstop20' timestamp='1411533290' post='10173309']
Need to know your stats.

Fir %
Gir %
Putts per round
Driving distance
penalties per round

Where do you think you are losing most of your strokes?
[/quote]

FIR 10/18
GIR 8/18
Don't know putts per round (but I do know that i've struggled with the putter and still managed to be in the 80s)
Driving Distance 260-280
3 or 4 penalties per round.

I think I'm losing strokes from putting and penalties.
[/quote]My drives are only 200-240 yards, and I have broken 80 four times this year, and had to cut the season short due to surgery Aug 29. My hc = 10.2, and what I like about my game is that i'm good at keeping it in play and not taking penalty strokes. You hit your drives 260-280, but take many penalty strokes? My advice to you, which is extremely difficult for male golfers to do, is to swing at 80% for the sake of accuracy. Funny thing is that you don't lose much distance and gain a lot of accuracy. Practice lag putting so you can have easy tap ins after the 30 foot putt. Too many ams try to force it in the hole and blow by causing 3 putt holes. Think course management, keeping swing in control, and the ball inbounds, and the putts nicely lagged. The 70's will come with good course management.

[bradz1810]

Far to many penalties and lost balls hahaha....2 or 3 times I've been even par going into the 17th Hole and I completely fall apart and hit my driver with a big slice out of play. So frustrating. I mean you can tell yourself to not have penalties, but how do you actually do it?

[golfingnut300]

First of all you, cant look at your scorecard, just let it happen one shot at a time. I never add up what I am shooting till I finish 18. Just write down a '-' for par and a '1' for bogie and '1 circled for birdie'. Think fairway on every tee shot and safe zone for every approach shot. Also, look at the 7 highest handicap holes and accept bogies on those holes. You dont need to be perfect to break 80.

[b_f_c_99]

This my seem odd but the par 3's and 5's are the key to breaking 80, especially the 3's. Typical course that is 8 of the 18 holes. Figure out how to par the 3's or at lease half of them. and do whatever it takes to par the 5's. Hit a couple hybrids or 5 woods and a wedge, If you get a birdie great don't take more than a 5.

[Late4ttime]

Yep, no penalties and no 3 putts.

If you miss a green, it helps to have the mind set that your chip is like a lag putt, knock it into your comfort zone so you can make the par putt.

[cb24]

[quote name='b_f_c_99' timestamp='1411572181' post='10175113']
This my seem odd but the par 3's and 5's are the key to breaking 80, especially the 3's. Typical course that is 8 of the 18 holes. Figure out how to par the 3's or at lease half of them. and do whatever it takes to par the 5's. Hit a couple hybrids or 5 woods and a wedge, If you get a birdie great don't take more than a 5.
[/quote]

I agree good scoring advice.

I second the emphasis of short game. It's critical to scoring. Also check out my story about tempo. When the pressure was on I was completely slowing down my swing to try and control the ball and it had the opposite effect.

[b_f_c_99]

[quote name='cb24' timestamp='1411589691' post='10176951']
[quote name='b_f_c_99' timestamp='1411572181' post='10175113']
This my seem odd but the par 3's and 5's are the key to breaking 80, especially the 3's. Typical course that is 8 of the 18 holes. Figure out how to par the 3's or at lease half of them. and do whatever it takes to par the 5's. Hit a couple hybrids or 5 woods and a wedge, If you get a birdie great don't take more than a 5.
[/quote]

I agree good scoring advice.

I second the emphasis of short game. It's critical to scoring. Also check out my story about tempo. When the pressure was on I was completely slowing down my swing to try and control the ball and it had the opposite effect.
[/quote]

I did read that and I was going to comment. The trick when the pressure is on, and this can be easier said than done is to wait for it...........Swing with a combination of confidence and care free attitude at the same time. You can't go into guide it mode, that will fail without fail. Turn and fire like any other shot accept the outcome.

[BenHoganSlam1953]

Change your par and then work to break it. After my latest lessons I've went from mid 80's to 95-105. I've been working it down but kept just missing the 80's with blow-up holes near the end of the round.

I decided to change my course PAR to 90 (boogie golf) instead of looking at the course PAR. I immediately ground out a 88 and 89 (new course) by keeping track of +/- for each hole and side. I love the challenge of fighting to keep my course PAR or trying to come back to finish under my course PAR. I now approach each each hole believing I'll beat it. It keeps me focused and I make way better decisions on the course when it comes to risk/reward.

As I get better I'll keep lowering my course PAR. Do the same and in your mind make 80 the course PAR for yourself. You'll also get used to pressure and knowing your score just won't matter anymore. You will start to not longer focus on bad holes or bad shots as you will not have time to focus on that. Instead it will be making a great next shot - still believing you can beat this hole after making a mistake - and always believing the next hole will be a birdie!

[Divot_07]

I also shoot mid to low 80's. It's so frustrating trying to consistently break 80. It's always one part of the game holding me back, if hitting fairways then not greens, if not hitting greens then chipping bad that day. It's hard to put all parts of game together consistently especially for the family man whose practice time is limited.

But beats any good day of work.

[xrt99]

- Work on 100 yards and in
- That many penalties indicates a persistent swing flaw, figure out what it is and try to fix it
- Hit more greens

Do those things. Putting is obviously important but it sounds like you need work in other areas first

[shortstop20]

Short game is obviously important but 3-4 penalty strokes is still the 800 pound gorilla in the room in this instance.

You need to develop a strategy to keep the ball in play. Are you hitting Driver on Par 4's where Driver isn't necessary and losing strokes due to penalties?

Obviously it depends on the length of the course but I only hit driver 6-7 times on my home course in a typical round. My FIR and driving distance are similar to yours but I hit a couple more greens. [size=4]I have broken 80 several times this year after only doing it twice before this year. [/size]

[bradz1810]

There are definitely holes where I should hit a longer iron or my 5 wood cause I feel more control with those clubs. I guess course management is a big part of it as well, knowing when you don't have to hit driver and hit something your more comfortable with. Putting is always up and down, somedays you feel like the hole is a huge than other times its super small.

Really enjoyed the feedback. Thanks guys.


I'll have to keep you updated after I use all these tokens.

[cb24]

[quote name='bradz1810' timestamp='1411615813' post='10179467']
There are definitely holes where I should hit a longer iron or my 5 wood cause I feel more control with those clubs. I guess course management is a big part of it as well, knowing when you don't have to hit driver and hit something your more comfortable with. Putting is always up and down, somedays you feel like the hole is a huge than other times its super small.

Really enjoyed the feedback. Thanks guys.


I'll have to keep you updated after I use all these tokens.
[/quote]

Course management is always the key. Knowing when to press and when to play it safe can be the difference between 5 over and 15 over

[ChipDriver]

Breaking 80 isn't hard. You only have to do all of the elements below during a round:

1. Hit most of your fairways
2. Hit most of your greens in regulation OR make most of your up and down chances
3. Hit most of your first putts OR chips to within 3 feet. Know your "carry" vs "roll" ratios for your wedges.
4. Make most of your 3 foot putts
**"Most" means "more than 50% of those chances"

I've found those 4 elements to keep me focused when practicing and playing.


Here are some tips to consider during the round IF you get off-track:
1. Aim for the "safe" part of the fairway/green unless/until you are inside 130 yards.
2. Hit the ball with 49% effort - you'll lose maybe 10% distance - but you'll keep it in the fairway/The driver does not hit "infinity". Try to fly it a consistent distance (just like you would an iron).
3. On approaches, try to hit it 10 yards PAST the hole. Most people miss it short. Clubbing up gives the ball a chance to go in.
4. When calculating distances to the pin when you're chipping - give it 6-10 more feet than you see (see above tip)

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='b_f_c_99' timestamp='1411572181' post='10175113']
This my seem odd but the par 3's and 5's are the key to breaking 80, especially the 3's. Typical course that is 8 of the 18 holes. Figure out how to par the 3's or at lease half of them. and do whatever it takes to par the 5's. Hit a couple hybrids or 5 woods and a wedge, If you get a birdie great don't take more than a 5.
[/quote]I get plenty of bogies when I play, and I can accept them, because for a 10 hc, they aren't that bad. What burns me though, is getting a bogie (6) on the par 5's. I hate having a score over a 5 on my card, and this is part of my strategy, never to score over a 5 on any hole. The opposite of this is getting a birdie (2) on a par 3, as there is nothing much better to enter on the card than a 2, except for an eagle.

[Don_Folk]

One thing that worked well for me was to hit the range beforehand. I would have the scorecard in hand (if it's a new course) and I would start the range session as if I was starting the round. Depending on how my club selection goes and how I hit the ball, that would determine which club I would hit next. Instead of aiming straight down the range I would target particular trees/flags in the distance. It seemed to prep my swing for the round to come. Began hitting more fairways and more greens. After I finished the impromptu practice round on the range. Take the leftover balls to the green. Do some mix n match chipping. Personally I see too many people trying to finesse a 60 degree wedge to where they need to on a green. Try lower lofted clubs. Easier to roll it in than to land it in.

Anyways, give it a shot! It helped me cross over into the 70's consistently.

HAPPY GOLFING!! [attachment=2433031:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1411662586.854069.jpg]

[dunn]

If you can shoot mid low 80's you can break 80 with current game....it's all mental....once I broke 80 a few times I started expecting to do it...once that frame of mind took over I didn't shoot in 80's much after that....now 80 is bad round for me

You have to change your mindset....you have to find a way to BELIEVE!! your good enough and most importantly shooting in 70's is where YOU BELONG.....


A very key moment I had in golf was playing a round where I was on 15th hole and said if I par out I will shoot 78....I could feel nervousness and lack of confidence and hit bad tee shot and thought here we go down tubes (AGAIN!!)....then on way to my second shot I got pissed....thought to myself f that, instead of trying to protect I gonna see how low I can go.....and birdied 3 of last 4 holes.....I was sick of throwing rounds away because of my fear.....you have to expect it, once I felt I belonged in 70's I am there all the time now....

Good course mngmt:...drive to fat side of fwy don't miss on short side of dogleg.....dont fire at tucked pins, aim to fat side of green......If you get in trouble, GET OUT....punch out to 100 yd make or close......I see so many hit hero shots from trouble. ...If I hit bad tee shot,I punch out and worst I make is bogey....my wedges are pretty good........wedge play is critical for scoring......dont do anything stupid

Just saw like 3 or 4 guys break 80 for their first time recently and now their in 70's quite a bit

Your mind has huge impact on result though...good luck

[venturagolfer87]

I've been lucky enough to break 80 three times this year on three different courses. The common theme for me was:

1). For each of these rounds, I got to the course about 45 minutes early, hit a small bucket to warm up (no more than 25 balls, it's just warm up, not practice), then spend the remaining time I have left on the putting greens. I found out that when I show up to the course tight and go straight to the first tee, it takes me about 3-4 holes before I feel like I'm actually loose and swinging free, and usually didn't get the green speeds down until around the 7th or 8th hole, since I'd be putting defensively and either leaving it short/blowing it by most of the time.

2.) I was able to drive the ball extremely well. This probably can be attributed to loosening up beforehand, but in each of the three rounds, I hit a good first tee ball, and it gave me confidence that stayed with me through every tee shot, even when I wasn't hitting a driver.

3.) My short game was on. Not just putting, but my chips would end up within a makeable range. And on any shorter holes or par 5's where I'd leave myself within 120 yds, I took advantage of it. That would give me lots of birdie opportunities, and although at best I was able to make three birdies in one round, being inside 10-15 ft. a few times during the round pretty much guarantees a two putt par.

I might sound like I'm saying that all these things need to be in place for you to break 80, but it's not a secret formula, it's just about being accurate, and using good common sense on the course. Like sometimes, just because you can reach a green in 2, doesn't mean you should try. I can count the amount of times I've ended up inside 15 ft. from 180+ out on a par 5 on two fingers. But I've lost count of how many times I've hit it close with a gap wedge in my hand.

[bradz1810]

Shot an 82 yesterday. Would have been a 79 but I tripled the last hole. I love golf.

[golfdude300]

If you're not playing golf for money, you're not playing golf. If you're not making birdies, you're not playing golf either. You need to play for money and make birdies, then you'll break 80...I promise.

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='golfdude300' timestamp='1414380469' post='10355829']
If you're not playing golf for money, you're not playing golf. If you're not making birdies, you're not playing golf either. You need to play for money and make birdies, then you'll break 80...I promise.
[/quote]Thank goodness most golfers don't share your feelings, but go out and enjoy the challenge of the course, the scenery, the exercise, and the fellowship.

[pmcuk]

[quote name='Tom Gski' timestamp='1414425143' post='10357307']
[quote name='golfdude300' timestamp='1414380469' post='10355829']
If you're not playing golf for money, you're not playing golf. If you're not making birdies, you're not playing golf either. You need to play for money and make birdies, then you'll break 80...I promise.
[/quote]Thank goodness most golfers don't share your feelings, but go out and enjoy the challenge of the course, the scenery, the exercise, and the fellowship.
[/quote]

Where does being competitive fit in? I play with my brother a lot, and there's definitely some sibling rivalry going.

He's a doctor and a lot fitter. I'm a psychologist and a lot less fit. I usually win - the mental game is my thing!

[crapula]

[quote name='bradz1810' timestamp='1414378573' post='10355665']
Shot an 82 yesterday. Would have been a 79 but I tripled the last hole. I love golf.
[/quote]

Triple the first hole next time.

[dunn]

You have to eliminate shots you can't pull off.....If your in any situation where the risk is high and you don't pull off shot most of time don't do it......punch out!!!!....make it so worst possible score you can have is bogey......

For this you need to good wit wedges.....120 yds in you need to be able to at least hit right quadrant of the green.....

My putting is absolutely horrid.....and I mean horrid.....I break 80 most days, shot a 74 other day and wasn't even putting well at all.....long as you can 2 putt you can break 80 fairly easy......

Biggest factor and most guys don't have this is you have to know you can ......Most golfers see themselves worse than what they actually are and thats the biggest factor......you doubt and think your lucky if you can vs the guy who expects to do it and is pissed when he doesn't break 80....

The mindset makes all the dufference....guy who shoots 70's is relaxed even when he makes mistakes.....The guy who shoots on 80's is tense and just waiting for it to go south....He is inviting the blowup because he expects it to happen and wouldn't you know it that's exactly what happens