Cracking the Code to Break 80

"Cracking the Code to Break 80 in Golf: Proximity, Control, and Strategy"

Breaking 80 in golf is a significant milestone that many aspire to achieve. It's a level that demands precision, control, and strategic thinking. Here, we delve into key strategies to help you reach this goal and consistently perform at your best on the golf course.

1. Tightening Your Proximity Around the Green

One noticeable difference between golfers who consistently shoot below 80 and those who struggle lies in their proximity to the hole around the green. While hitting it to 20 feet can be impressive, the best players in the world only hole out from 8 feet approximately 50% of the time. So to improve your chances of converting more up-and-down putts, focus on getting your approach shots closer. Work on your percentage shots from the fairway and the rough with ample green to work with. Mastering these shots can be a game-changer for your scoring. Also factor in where the fat side of the green is vs the short side which can be difficult to get up and down.

2. Controlling Your Behaviours

Maintaining focus and a consistent routine is crucial to your success on the golf course. It's easy to lose concentration due to frustration or lazy routines. Building a reliable pre-shot routine and leaving the previous shot behind are essential. Ask yourself the right questions, stick to your process, and accept the outcome, whether it's positive or not. Inconsistencies in your routines can lead to unforced errors, such as misjudging wind or ignoring the lie. Your temperament can also affect clubhead speed, making distance control challenging. Stay composed and maintain your routines for more consistent play.

3. Know Your Yardages

Distance control is a fundamental skill that top players excel at. While accuracy in direction matters, knowing your yardages is equally vital. Improved knowledge of your yardages will enhance your proximity to the hole and your ability to adjust distances with your clubs. Take the time to learn the specific distances you hit each club, and this knowledge will pay dividends in your scoring.

4. Learn to Play with Your Miss

Instead of fighting your miss, learn to play with it. Understanding your natural shot shape tendencies can help you make smarter decisions on the course. Golfers shooting in the 80s or 90s often aim for the fairway instead of considering their shot shape. Try to widen the fairways by leveraging your shot shape tendencies and strategize where you can miss relative to your shot shape. This approach can lead to more forgiving and strategic play.

5. Keep the Ball in Play

Penalty shots can wreak havoc on your scorecard. To break 80, focus on keeping your ball in play off the tee and avoiding hazards whenever possible. While hitting every fairway isn't necessary, understanding your miss tendencies and choosing optimal landing areas can provide greater forgiveness. If your driver isn't cooperating on a given day, have a reliable go-to club that allows you to keep the ball in play while still advancing it a decent distance off the tee. Avoiding doubles will be a much bigger gain toward breaking 80 vs trying to make birdies.

6. Avoid 3 putts

Finally, develop the skills to reduce 3 putts. This comes from developing the flexibility to deal with any pace of greens, and the ability to work them out quickly at the start of the day. Good putters don’t necessarily hole lots of footage but they hole out really well from inside 6 feet, so if this is you on a mission to break 80 get lots of holing out drills in your practice schedule.

In conclusion, breaking 80 in golf requires a combination of factors, including improving your proximity to the green, maintaining consistent behaviours, knowing your yardages, adapting to your miss tendencies, and keeping the ball in play. By integrating these strategies into your game along with solid holing out skills, you'll increase your chances of consistently achieving scores below 80 and enjoy a more rewarding golfing experience.