Breaking 80

[BrianW]

The initial goals to break 100 then 90 are mainly achieved by developing a sound repeatable golf swing and short game, this is best achieved by taking lessons with a good PGA Pro, practicing at the range and playing some golf.

I have found the only way to start breaking 80 is by thinking through the shot you are about to play (course management). These are the things that help me:

Make sure your grip, arms and shoulders are very relaxed.

consider the shot you are about to make, visualise the ball flight you want and pick out a clear target

Don't sacrifice accuracy for distance.

Do not try to out-drive the person you are playing.

When hitting the green use a putt, chip or pitch in that priority order.

When in trouble take your medicine and chip back to the fairway.

What do you think?

Best Regards
Brian

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Breaking 80

Hi Brian,

Spot on, great thinking on the course is a sure fire way of breaking 80.

Plenty of practice from 100yds in is a must, especially putting.


Oh and Welcome.


Ian.

[slater170]

Re: Breaking 80

The initial goals to break 100 then 90 are mainly achieved by developing a sound repeatable golf swing and short game, this is best achieved by taking lessons with a good PGA Pro, practicing at the range and playing some golf.

I have found the only way to start breaking 80 is by thinking through the shot you are about to play (course management). These are the things that help me:

Make sure your grip, arms and shoulders are very relaxed.

consider the shot you are about to make, visualise the ball flight you want and pick out a clear target

Don't sacrifice accuracy for distance.

Do not try to out-drive the person you are playing.

When hitting the green use a putt, chip or pitch in that priority order.

When in trouble take your medicine and chip back to the fairway.

What do you think?

Best Regards
Brian

very sound advice brian
i just have to learn to be disciplined enough to carry it through!

[ogallalabob]

Re: Breaking 80

For me it is finding time to practice on my short game. A good short game can cover for a lot of errors, and allow you to know where you can get the ball up and down from. I can tell the diference from practicing a couple half hours a week and just going out on the course and playing.

Bob

[RandomHero1090]

Re: Breaking 80

Gotta agree with Ian there. I might actually say 8 iron on in, which is a different distance for everyone.

Im not just talking about the approach shots, I am talking about ALL shots from that distance on in....approach, lob, chip, pitch, sand play, and putting.

Heck, most people would drop 3-4 strokes if they would practice putting 2 hours a week. But 90% of golfers spend their time pounding balls....like me

[vp27519]

Re: Breaking 80

Good thread.

With practice comes confidence. Course management is essential. Who cares what club it takes you to get there. You don't have to draw a picture, just write down a number.

I'm slowly working out that more work needs to be done between the ears to be a better golfer and reach one's potential than pounding balls.

[thedogbutler]

Re: Breaking 80

Don't sacrifice accuracy for distance.

Do not try to out-drive the person you are playing.

When in trouble take your medicine and chip back to the fairway.

What do you think?

Best Regards
Brian

Three rules i've learned ( the HARD way ) to live & play by !
Remember , Par is a friend who wins all the time !

Elliott

[LowPost42]

Re: Breaking 80

What do you think?

Best Regards
Brian

I think you're spot on - and I've got a new PB to prove it.

Make sure your grip, arms and shoulders are very relaxed.

That was certainly part of it.

consider the shot you are about to make, visualise the ball flight you want and pick out a clear target

I'm still working on this. Sadly, swing mechanics are still a thought while I play.

Don't sacrifice accuracy for distance.

Do not try to out-drive the person you are playing.

I find these two go hand-in-hand. Sometimes it's tough, when your regular playing partners are constantly telling you that you should be longer than you are.

When hitting the green use a putt, chip or pitch in that priority order.

I disagree here. While all the methods are sound, I'd say use that which you have the most confidence in. If you're more confident flying the ball than chipping (because, say, you really don't practice your short game), then putt or pitch before chipping. Just my .02.

When in trouble take your medicine and chip back to the fairway.

I had to use this logic en route to my PB. A bad tee shot left me two options - pitch back for a clear shot, or try to shoot the gap between a cluster of trees. I pitched back, took my double (I missed the green ), and moved on.

Largely, I found, the advice goes something like:

Play with your brain, not with your d!ck, and your scores will drop. There's nothing wrong with hitting the middle of the green, and two putting for par.

Nice post, Brian. Well done.

[doppelganger]

Re: Breaking 80

I agree with what Ian says about putting and 100 yards in. You must eliminate 3 putts (these are just round killers) and also hit greens in regulation. Once you master these two aspects of your game, hopefuly you'll be breaking 80 on a regular basis. When you stumble, you fall... and get up again! Good luck mate!

[cb44]

Re: Breaking 80

Good post. I scored less than 90 for the first time today (an 81), and it was because I trusted my swing fully. When I did perform badly today, I thought too much. Your first thought is usually the right one. (BTW, I began playing golf this year--perservere and you can do well.)