Breaking 80

[Davey247]

Breaking 80 is my big mission this year. First hit an 80 about 4 years ago and have done numerous times since, but never dropped that last little digit.
Therefore I'm taking a new approach. The money at the start of the set a side for clubs (was looking at changing fairway woods) will be spent on lessons. My club is having a short game area installed, so will spend a minimum 1 hour a week on there.

Anyone else had problems with this barrier?? If so what approach did you take?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I don't recall thinking about it too much. Breaking 100 & 90 where big hurdles for me but by the time I got to breaking 80 I knew I had the game so it was only a matter of time. However, you will find it a whole lot easier with a decent shot game so you're going about it the right way.

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself and good luck

 

[pbrown7582]

i had more bother breaking 90 than 80 kept thinking about keeping level 5'S AND OF COURSE THE INEVITABLE HAPPENS WHEN YOU START THINKING ABOUT IT!

Working on short game sounds a good idea but also dont pressure yourself and it will come.

good luck.

 

[CMAC]

Where are you losing shots? Driver? Putts? Wedge play etc etc

 

[Stub]

Maybe keeping some stats on your rounds might help identify where you are losing strokes. Fairways hit, GIR, number of putts etc are useful if a bit of a pain to keep - and a bigger pain when you analyse the results.

 

[gregbwfc]

Maybe have a plan of attack for each hole.
And remember you don't have to par all of them - though that would be great !!

 

[TonyN]

I have always had a love for short game. I enjoy learning it. I found that a solid short game and a decent putting routine was key to going below 80. I almost always have a go at the green when i think im in reach because im confident that 90% off the time i'll get up and down. You dont really need to have a great long game. Just not a drastic one. As long as your down near the green, getting up and down for pars usually springs the odd birdie.

 

[Yer Maw]

that'll be my goal this year but it's a bit away yet so 85s consistently would be good as often do that but not enough. Tricky undulating greens at mine make up and down tough but good fun to play on. A bit of consistency of the tee wouldn't go a miss either as it's left, right or down the middle. To be honest a couple of lessons are required to get me some consistency then take it from there.

 

[SAPCOR1]

Good luck with it Davey!

It is my plan for this year too and I have been looking at what I need to do to break it consistently.

 

[Hendo007]

The main way to achieve this is course management, if you can shoot in the 80s then your game is there, work on your course management, take the right club to avoid the trouble and you'll see the difference.

 

[SAPCOR1]

The main way to achieve this is course management, if you can shoot in the 80s then your game is there, work on your course management, take the right club to avoid the trouble and you'll see the difference.

You're right Hendo, it's not all about hitting it 325 yds and four putting!

 

[papyt]

no need for new clubs as your playing fine with them,short game practice and lessons is the way to go,i spend a couple of hours a week just chipping and shots from 100 yds in to about 50 yds. i have a set drill that i work to and work all my wedges playing the same distance with all of them to work on shot making,i also spend an hour on putting and if you can get hold of the dave pelz book on putting as it has plenty of drills to work on, good luck.

 

[SAPCOR1]

If I ever go to the driving range I spend most of my time hitting wedges rather than bashing the bucketful of balls down the range.

For Christmas the wife got me the iPing cradle for my iPhone and my putting has come on a treat since then. I recon I have saved an average 4-5 putts per round so far.

Essential purchase for golfers if you have an iPhone, don't know if there is an app for Android phones

 

[Val]

Similar goal for me this year, I have had an 8 over medal round once only on a par 68 playing off 16 but current club is a 71 and i have had a 2 over front 9 and 5 over back 9 but never together

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It's all about the short game for me now. I can get it round most courses in some kind of fashion but I waste so many shots around the greens. Had a short game lesson a few weeks back but then did my back and so haven't worked on it since. They are the money shots and to break 80 you'r going to have to make the odd up and down. Relax though, it'll happen but don't try and force it.

 

[Davey247]

Thanks for all the tips folks. As for my game, it was actually my approach shots that were letting me down last year - only hitting 18% GIR, so my short game pulled me out of a few sticky situations. Over the winter however my short game (inside 80 yards, putting is fine) has become awful, so that will be the focus of my first couple of lessons i think