For many golfers, breaking the coveted 80 mark represents an accomplishment akin to a mountaineer reaching the summit of Everest. This round figure (80, not the golf ball!) haunts many a golfer, dangling just out of reach like a cheeky pin tucked in behind a cunningly placed bunker. Achieving this benchmark isn’t simply about technical prowess, it’s about adopting strategic thinking, mental toughness, and a healthy appreciation for the game’s nuances.
How to break 80 at golf
We’re not promising a magic club that’ll transport your game into the single-digit handicaps realm overnight. What we’re serving up is a hearty helping of practical tips, refined over countless hours on the greens and fairways, that should help shave those extra strokes off your scorecard. This isn’t your everyday golf advice, so buckle in, get your tees in a row, and prepare for some serious knowledge to tee off!
The beauty of golf lies in its ability to both reward skill and penalise overconfidence. You may have the swing of a champion, but if your strategic planning doesn’t match, the dream of dipping below 80 might remain just that – a dream. Keep in mind, breaking 80 isn’t just for your personal bragging rights at the 19th hole. It’s about proving to yourself that you can take on this challenge, dance with it, and emerge victorious.
Tip 1: Master Course Management
You don’t need to overpower the course to break 80; you need to outthink it. Course management refers to the strategy you employ to navigate around the hazards, difficult pin positions, and quirks of the course. It starts right from the first tee and doesn’t end until your ball drops into the 18th hole.
Smart course management means playing to your strengths and minimising your weaknesses. If you struggle with long irons, perhaps it’s wise to lay up short of that bunker on the par 5, rather than go all-in and risk landing in the sand. Instead of automatically reaching for the driver on every par 4 and 5, consider using a fairway wood or hybrid to ensure a safer landing area.
Tip 2: Tune Up Your Short Game
There’s an old saying in golf: “Drive for show, putt for dough”. Truer words have never been spoken. The short game (shots within 100 yards of the green) can make or break your score. If you can chip and putt effectively, you’ll save yourself a lot of strokes.
Commit to practicing your pitching, chipping, and bunker shots. They’re not as glamorous as booming drives, but they’re key to breaking 80. Similarly, mastering different types of putts and understanding green speeds and breaks will be invaluable. A missed three-footer can be just as damaging to your scorecard as a drive that’s sprayed out of bounds.
Tip 3: Know Thy Club Distances
Knowledge is power, and when it comes to club distances, it’s a power that can make a substantial difference in your score. Knowing how far you hit each club can help you make better decisions on the course and set up easier approach shots.
Start by charting your distances during practice. Note the average distance you hit with each club, not just your maximum distance. Remember, consistency trumps raw distance when it comes to scoring. Once you have these figures, you can use them to inform your club selection and course management strategy.
Tip 4: Practice Pressure Situations
Golf is as much a mental game as it is physical. It’s one thing to hit a perfect 7-iron on the practice range; it’s quite another to do it on the 17th hole when you’re on track to break 80. The only way to get comfortable in these situations is to practice under pressure.
You can simulate pressure in practice by setting specific goals or creating consequences for poor shots. For instance, challenge yourself to make 10 putts in a row from six feet. If you miss, start over. These sorts of drills can help replicate the tension you feel during a round and prepare you to handle it better.
Tip 5: Be Wise on Par 5s
Par 5s offer a tantalising opportunity for birdies or even eagles. But they also pose a risk if you let your ambition override your common sense. Playing par 5s wisely can significantly aid in your quest to break 80.
The key is not to obsess over reaching the green in two shots. Instead, focus on getting the ball into a good position for your third shot. This might mean laying up with your second shot to a distance you’re comfortable with, rather than risking a difficult shot with a long iron or wood. With good course management and a solid short game, you can set yourself up for a birdie chance without taking unnecessary risks.
Tip 6: Keep Your Focus Sharp
Golf is a long game, and keeping your focus sharp throughout the round is essential. Mental fatigue can lead to poor decisions and sloppy swings. By maintaining concentration from the first tee to the 18th green, you can save valuable strokes.
Mental sharpness comes from proper preparation. Ensure you’re well-rested before your round. On the course, take time between shots to relax and breathe, so you’re not constantly thinking about golf. Developing a pre-shot routine can also help your concentration by providing a familiar process to focus on before each shot.
Tip 7: Learn from Each Round
Every round of golf, whether it’s a sparkling 78 or a forgettable 88, is an opportunity to learn. By understanding what worked and what didn’t, you can make adjustments for the next round.
Keep a note of areas where you dropped shots. Was your driving erratic? Did you struggle with lag putts? Identifying these areas will help you focus your practice sessions. Similarly, recognise what you did well. This can boost your confidence and help you understand your strengths as a golfer.
David Knight, a seasoned golf coach and former PGA tour player, provides some insight into this pursuit of breaking 80. “Cracking 80,” he says, “is one of the hardest but most rewarding challenges in amateur golf. It requires technical skill, strategic thinking, and a healthy dose of mental strength. Most importantly, it demands an understanding that golf isn’t about perfection. It’s about managing imperfection and making the best decisions based on your abilities.”
Knight continues, “If you can consistently go round in under 80, it places you in an elite group of golfers. It shows you’ve moved beyond simply hitting good shots and started to understand the ebb and flow of a round. It’s more than just a number. It’s a testament to your grasp of the complexities of this wonderful game we all love.”
So there you have it, our tips to navigate the journey towards that sought-after sub-80 round. Embrace the challenge, savour the journey, and remember that golf, in the end, is a game to be enjoyed. Keep calm, swing easy, and may your next round be your best round yet!
