Breaking 80 is a huge accomplishment in the game of golf.
Here’s why:
The average handicap for male golfers is around 14, which translates to an average score in the low 90s. If they play well, this might mean a score in the mid to high 80s. And if they play poorly, this might mean a score in the mid to high 90s.
Again, this is an average; so it goes without saying, that learning to break 80 in golf will put you in a small percentage of successful amateur golfers, giving you an advantage.
If you’re comfortable with the game of golf and are ready to take your game to the next level, try one of our 5 proven strategies to help you shoot in the 70s (which is referred to as breaking 80) in golf!
How to Finally Break 80 in Golf
Breaking 80 might seem like a daunting goal, but it’s more attainable than you might think. To break 80, it’s essential to break it down into manageable tasks, and not make it more complicated than it needs to be with fancy calculations, trick shots or special equipment.
You don’t need to shoot a ton of birdies to break 80. In fact, you can ride the par train for most of the round, sprinkle in some bogeys (maybe one double), and still shoot 79 or better. Here’s how:
1. Improve Your Driving
Whether you want to break 100, 90, or 80, your driver plays a big role in achieving your goal. Since this club is used at least ten times per round, it’s crucial that you make this club an asset, not a liability.
Distance is so important to playing your best, and might even be more important than finding fairways (as long as you’re not hitting in hazards all day). With all the data in golf, it’s clear that longer distances correlate to lower handicaps.
To hit it longer than ever, you want to focus on increasing swing speed. Then, try out:
- Speed training. For every mile per hour you add to your swing equates to about 2.5 yards more distance off the tee. If you can add 5-7 mph through golf exercises and speed training, you’ll gain 10+ yards and have a lot shorter approach shots.
- Playing one-shot shape. You don’t need to hit a combination of draws and fades with a driver to shoot in the 70s. Instead, just perfect one go-to shot. Whatever one that is easiest for you to hit. This way you can pick targets more easily, minimize swing thoughts, and avoid the dreaded double cross off the tee.
Also, we can’t forget to mention the importance of fixing a slice. If you want a quick fix to straighten out your drives, give this YouTube video a watch.
Or, check out Hank Haney’s One Shot Slice Fix for a more in-depth training to fix your slice once and for all.
2. Improve Your Iron Play
While distance off the tee is key to breaking 80, the number of greens you hit in regulation has a direct correlation to lower scores as well. To hit more greens, you need to improve your iron play for a more consistent strike.
Here’s how…
- Master the fundamentals in practice. This includes ball position, takeaway, and grip.
- Use fewer long irons. Equipment is also important in your quest to break 80. Ditch hard-to-hit long irons and use hybrids or high-lofted fairway woods instead.
- Create more lag. Lag makes it easier to compress the ball, make flush contact, and improve distance. Watch this video to create more lag and compress your irons fast.
3. Get Out of the Sand in One Shot
Another key to breaking 80 is to master a basic sand shot.
If it takes you a couple shots to get out of the sand, you’ll get a lot more doubles or triple bogeys, which make it nearly impossible to break 80. Not to mention, it’s frustrating and sometimes embarrassing.
The truth is, you don’t need a ton of shots out of the sand (yet). Instead, you need one trusty wedge (an LW or SW) and a go-to shot.
While it’s fun to have an arsenal of sand shots (the spinner, high shot, chunk and run, etc.) start by mastering one basic shot. This should be the shot you use the majority of the time to escape the sand and give yourself a putt to save par.
Learn more about mastering bunker shots here!
4. Put a Stop to Three-Shot Putting
There isn’t much more frustrating than hitting a good drive, a solid approach shot on the green, and then walking away with a bogey. It feels like you gave one back and it’s easy to let it mentally affect you on the next tee shot.
To stop three-putting as often, follow these three tips.
- Play the right putter. Don’t buy any putter off the rack and hope it works out. Test out different putters and consider a custom putter fitting to figure out the correct length. Don’t forget, this club is used on every hole of every round, so make sure it’s right for your unique stroke and putting style.
- Improve your green reading routine. You can be the best putter in the world, but if you can’t see the break of the putt, you’re going to waste shots on the greens. Check out this article to learn 11 tips to improve your green reading fast.
- Practice short putts more often. When you get out to the practice green, spend a lot of time on 3–5 footers. These are the easiest shots to get back and will help you save pars to break 80 more often.
Perfecting your putting will help you break 80 faster.
5. Don’t Give Up on a Hole
The final tip to help you break 80 consistently is a mental game tip – never give up on the hole.
It’s easy to hit a poor tee shot and find yourself under a tree, thick rough, or a tough fairway bunker shot and mentally give up. But you can’t give up on a hole before it’s over because greatness can still happen.
However, you must have the right mindset to set yourself up for a good shot.
As Arnold Palmer said in his book My Game and Yours, “Most amateurs give up too quickly when they get into trouble. Every golfer should keep their eyes and mind open, looking for opportunities to do the unconventional.”
The next time you find yourself in a tricky situation, ask yourself empowering questions like:
- How can I get back into position?
- What’s the highest percentage shot?
- What do I need to do to make bogey or better?
When you ask your mind great questions, it will help you find a better solution. This will give you a much better chance to get out of trouble, maybe save par, or at worst, make a bogey.
Don’t forget, a bogey isn’t the end of the world.
You can make no birdies and seven bogeys on most golf courses and still shoot in the 70s. It’s the double bogeys – that often happen from mentally giving up – that make it much harder to break 80.
Put These Tips into Action and Break 80 Faster
Addressing these five areas of the game will help you break 80 and hopefully become a single-digit handicap golfer in no time.
Don’t forget, we have a huge training library to help with other parts of the game too, whether you first need to master your slice, add lag to your swing or get more distance.
