Golf might be the only sport where you can leave the course feeling a pro one day and a total noob the next. The hard truth is, most golfers have some pretty gnarly handicaps, and most can’t wrap their heads around why.
There are a few reasons for this. Technique is huge—if you’re not fundamentally sound your score will pay.
Most golfers know this; as a result resources blogs, Youtube channels, and professional coaching are more popular than ever. Club regulars and weekend warriors alike swing at the driving range until their hands bleed. Practice makes perfect right? Think again.
The truth is, practice is only one piece of the puzzle. To break 80, you need to shoot in the 80s consistently. Consistent golfers have solid technique and most often a stellar game strategy.
Today, we’ll provide you with some tips and tricks to consider when defining your game strategy to break 80 in golf.
Learn Why You’re Not Breaking 80
A large part of breaking 80 is mental, but your technique needs to be solid first. Knowing exactly where you can improve is the first step in shooting better. Gears touts the most powerful, precise, golf swing motion capture system in the world and our users are frequently awestruck by the clarity and practicality of our analytics. With our system you can not only compare your motions with a pro’s, but you can enjoy a glorious 3D rendering of every angle and speed of your body movement. Try it out, you won’t regret it.
1. Playing the Right Tee
A mistake many golfers make is grabbing their bag and heading straight for the longest tee which they then proceed to play for the full 18.
We hate to break it to you, but if you’re really going to get the most of a course, you may need to swallow your pride and move forward a tee or two. Playing from 7200 like the pros just isn’t realistic for golfers with the average handicap.
2. Check the Forecast
While you can’t always play in perfect conditions, opting for clear calm days can work wonders for your score. Avoid high winds, rain, and otherwise unfavorable conditions. The fewer variables you can deal with, the easier it will be for you to isolate your movement that you’re trying to hone.
3. Don’t Play Hero Ball, Seriously
When all that’s standing between you and the whole is a 200 yd hurl over a lake, there’s a part of you that wants to send it. Don’t do it. We commend you for being a hero but also hate to break it to you that Tiger Woods-like stingers from behind a tree that land on the green just aren’t realistic.
4. Master Your Irons
The story for many golfers is booming drives, semi accurate fairway shots, and mediocre putts. Each phase of the game is important, and that includes mastering your wedges. Get comfortable with full, 3/4 , half, and 1/4 swings in all conditions. Learn how to hit balls out of bunkers, thicker grass, and other types of lies.
5. Go For The Fat Part of The Green
You don’t have to get a birdie every time; just aim to get it to the fattest part of the green as efficiently as possible. Do this 90% of the time. The other 10% you’ll be putting.
6. Get to the Range at Least 45 min Early
If you’re going to break 80, warming up is key. Grab a cart, do some stretches, and hit 20-30 shots before you move to chips and putts. Make sure you’re feeling as loose as possible before you actually tee off. Pay attention to the speed of the practice greens, these are often similar to that of the actual course.
7. Do Your Research
For record low scores we’d recommend playing a course you’re familiar with. In some circumstances, like a corporate offsite for example, this isn’t exactly possible. Look up the course online, scroll it on google maps, talk to friends that have played it before, etc. There are even course reviews sometimes on reddit. Basically, just get an idea of where you’re playing so you can mentally prepare.
8. Get Out of Your Own Head
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is talking yourself out of breaking 80. Stop thinking about breaking it! You’ll psych yourself out. Unnecessary pressure can leave you belittling yourself every shot, which isn’t good for your game or your mental health. Just go out, stay focused, and most of all have fun! Don’t worry too much about the score, have a friend keep score for you, and you can keep theirs.
9. Take the Course a Shot at a Time
Each shot counts, especially if you’re golfing sub 80 Taking it ‘one shot at a time, one round at a time’ is a good way to think about it. Avoid any big hiccups, An occasional bogey is fine, but a triple or two on the front 9 can destroy all hopes of a low score. The goal is to stay consistent. If that’s a bogey every hole, and par on the last 3 so be it. Try to be highly intentional and focused every single time you square up to swing.
10. Revisit the Fundamentals
Your Long Game, Fairway Game, and Short Game are influenced by the small things; how you grip the club, your setup, rotation, attack angle, follow through, and so much more determine how successful you will be and ultimately how much fun you can have playing golf. So if you want to break 80 be radically humble and constructively critical towards yourself. A good measure of patience and persistence will leave you with results you’ll be happy with.
Final Words
The above tips are just a few of the ways you can lower your score and break 80. Good technique, and ultimately what works for your game is the best strategy. Keep learning, and keep playing! You’ll be on your way in no time. Happy Golfing!
