Trevor Ng
Breaking 80 in golf is considered one of the most impressive milestones in amateur golfing, with only a small proportion of golfers able to achieve this feat. It is a challenging endeavour that requires discipline, strategy, and technical improvements. Golfers who aspire to break 80 must be prepared to put in the time and effort to refine their skills, eliminate mistakes, and develop a consistent performance. This exclusive club is within reach for those who are dedicated to improving their game and willing to seek guidance from experts and fellow golfers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Magazine | GOLF Magazine |
| Issue | March 2003 |
| Main Topic | How to break 80 |
| Subtopics | The magic number of greens to hit to break 80, tips and tricks to achieve this, Riccio's Rule |
| Author | N/A |
| Publication Date | 9 March 2025 |
| Website | golf.com |
| Subscription | $39.99/year |
| Related Series | Timeless Tips |
| Related Articles | How Many Golfers Break 80 In Golf... And How Can I Do It?>, The 1 shot you must master in order to break 80, This is the magic number of greens you need to hit to break 80, Breaking 80 - The Complete Guide for Golfers |
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What You'll Learn
Hitting more fairways
Know Your Statistics
Before you can improve, it's essential to know your baseline. Start by figuring out how many fairways you typically hit in a round. Make a conscious effort to track each fairway you find, and note the club you used (driver, fairway wood, hybrid, or long iron). This information will give you a starting point and help you measure your progress.
Choose the Right Club
Always consider the risk vs. reward before teeing off. Selecting the right club for the tee shot is crucial. While your instinct might be to grab the driver, sometimes a 3-wood or a mini driver might be a wiser choice to keep you out of trouble. Remember, the goal is to end up in the fairway, which will give you easier approach shots and more birdie putts.
Visualize Your Target
It's essential to be clear about where you want the ball to end up. Instead of focusing on avoiding hazards, be intentional about visualizing your desired landing spot. This mental preparation is a vital part of finding more fairways.
Practice Productively
When you have time to practice, make it count. Focus on perfecting your swing to improve accuracy and consistency. A smooth, tension-free swing at 80-85% effort will often yield better results than a violent, maximum-effort swing. Think "smooth" instead of "smash," and work on keeping your head behind the ball through impact.
Ball and Body Positioning
Ensure your ball position is correct, as this can impact accuracy and power. Play the ball off your left heel, in line with your left heel, to encourage a full windup and swing through the ball. Regarding body positioning, a good rule of thumb is to have the insides of your heels lined up with the outsides of your shoulders. This creates a comfortable stance that allows you to utilize the large driver heads designed for upswing.
By implementing these strategies and tracking your progress, you'll be on your way to hitting more fairways and improving your golf game.
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Drills for improving putting
To break 80 in golf, you need to shoot a score of 79 or better during a round. This is considered one of the most impressive milestones in amateur golf, with only 20% of players achieving this feat.
Putter from the Hole Drill
With the head of your putter touching the edge of the cup, lay the putter sideways on the green and place a ball down at the end of the grip, leaving you with a putter-length putt. Do this with 10 balls all around the cup, spaced a foot or two apart. Repeat this drill five times at the beginning of your putting session and another five times at the end for a total of 100 putts. This drill will help you feel more confident when facing short putts during a round.
Distance Control Drill
Place three markers at 10 feet, 20 feet, and 30 feet away from the hole. Putt three balls to the farthest marker, then three to the middle and three to the closest marker. Then, putt the balls back to their starting position. This drill helps with speed and distance control, and it can also be modified by adjusting the distances or adding more balls.
Jordan Spieth "Leapfrog" Drill
Place four balls in a triangular pattern and use the fourth ball to putt towards the other balls, aiming for the ball designating one of the triangle's corners. If you hit that ball, it counts as a "holed" putt. This drill helps with putting under pressure and can be modified to fit your needs.
Payne Stewart Drill
Finish your warm-up by hitting five tee shots with a full swing, aiming to hit them only 150 yards. This will help you focus on a smoother tempo, improving your balance and contact.
Remember, breaking 80 is about discipline and consistency. In addition to these putting drills, work on your short game, stick to hitting at the heart of the green, and practice with irons off the tee.
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Avoiding risky hero shots
Golf is a game of errors, and the best golfers miss their shots in the best areas without much penalty. Every course designer provides golfers with a 'bail-out' area, and it's important to find these areas and use them as intended. By not scoping the surrounds of the green on your approach shots, you might miss the green in a poor position. Therefore, it's important to plan for where your ball might miss the target.
To break 80, you need to average eight greens in regulation per round. Hitting more greens starts with hitting more fairways. To do this, try swinging your driver at 80 percent. The smoother the tempo, the better your balance and the better your contact. Finish your warm-up with a drill: hit five tee shots with a full swing, but aim to hit them only 150 yards. Then repeat this feeling on the first tee; you’ll naturally pick up the tempo due to your adrenaline but will swing more within yourself. Take one more club than usual on approach shots (e.g., a 5-iron instead of a 6) and make your normal swing.
According to GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jim Murphy, there’s one shot every player must master to even give themselves a chance to shoot in the 70s: three-foot putts. Murphy says, "You’ve got to master the three-footer... You look at Tour players and they average 96 percent from [this range]. If you’re struggling with these, you’re going over 80." To improve, Murphy suggests removing the pressure of a target on three-foot putts. Place a ball three feet away from the hole, set up over it, and hit your shot without considering the target.
Breaking 80 is about discipline. It's important to stick to hitting at the heart of the green, hitting irons off the tee, practicing your short game, and splitting a 300-yard shot into two full shots. Having a plan for every shot and envisioning it in your mind is key to committing to shots and getting the desired result. Making the correct club selection through knowing your distances and shot shape is crucial.
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Playing with better golfers
Playing with golfers who are better than you can be a great way to improve your game and break 80. It is recommended to find a group where you are the worst player, even if only by a small margin. This way, you can take more time with your shots and learn from your peers. You will notice how they approach each hole and how they score, which will help you improve your own game.
However, it is important to remember not to change your club selections or strategy to try to keep up with or impress your peers. Play your own game, and don't be tempted to take unnecessary risks. Focus on your strengths, and don't be afraid to play it safe when necessary.
To break 80, it is also important to develop a consistent wrist pattern and understand the relationship between your wrists and the clubface angle at impact. The best players have a consistent wrist pattern, with a slight extension at setup and flexion at impact. This understanding of the clubface angle will help you to shape your shots.
Mental resilience is also key to improving your game and breaking 80. PGA Tour golfers can all hit the ball well, but those with a better mental game tend to win more often. Focus on maintaining a positive mindset and only allowing positive thoughts on the golf course.
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Reading the greens
The first step in AimPoint green reading is to feel the slope of the green. Do this by straddling your ball's path to the hole, with one foot on either side of your line, about halfway to the hole. You are using your feet here to feel which direction the slope is moving in. Next, determine the severity of the slope on a scale of one to five, with one being the least severe and five the most.
Now stand behind the ball and close one eye, lifting your hand so that your pointer finger is just outside the hole. Based on the percentage slope you think is affecting your putt, put up that many fingers on your hand. For example, if you think there is a 3% slope, put up three fingers. Your ring finger will be the aim point. Then, simply line up your ball at the aim point and roll it. If you have judged correctly, the ball will roll towards the hole.
Another tip for reading greens is to imagine the roll of the ball towards the hole. You may have to visualize the putt a few times before your mind and body connect, and you are able to hit a good putt. Uncertainty is a sure sign of confusion, so keep this in mind.
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Frequently asked questions
Breaking 80 in golf is a challenging feat that requires discipline and a strong understanding of the game. It involves shooting a score of 79 or better during a round of golf. While there are various approaches to achieving this milestone, it typically involves a combination of strategy, course management, and technical improvements.
Here are some strategies that can help increase your chances of breaking 80:
- Hitting more greens: Focus on improving your swing and making smoother, more balanced shots.
- Course management: Understand the course and utilise "bail-out" areas provided by course designers.
- Short game mastery: Develop your skills within 100 yards, especially with wedges and putters.
- Consistency: Eliminate major mistakes and focus on steadiness rather than golfing greatness.
Improving your golf game to consistently break 80 requires a combination of technique and mental fortitude:
- Have a plan: Visualise each shot in your mind and commit to it.
- Know your distances: Understand your capabilities and select the appropriate club for each shot.
- Practice: Focus on your short game, especially three-foot putts, to build confidence and consistency.
- Adaptability: Understand your strengths and weaknesses. If you lack distance, focus on accuracy and course management.
