Jackson Reid
Breaking 85 in golf is a challenging but rewarding endeavour. It requires dedication to improving your game, from understanding the fundamentals of a good swing to mastering the short game. The key to success lies in consistent practice, seeking instruction, and applying strategic course management. By chipping in your backyard, putting at home, and spending just 15-20 minutes a day honing your skills, you'll be well on your way to breaking 85. Additionally, seeking guidance from instructors, either in-person or through online resources, can provide valuable insights and techniques to elevate your game. Remember, golf is a journey, and by assessing your performance and focusing on continuous improvement, you'll soon be celebrating your progress and achieving that coveted break.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times to repeat | 18 |
| Par-3s and par-5s | Apply the same par-4 logic |
| GIR+1 | Your ball is within 15 feet of the hole in two shots on a par-3, in three shots on a par-4 and four shots on a par-5 |
| Chipping | Capable with a putter as often as possible |
| Pitching | Able to move the ball forward and take a swing and use the bounce |
| Bunker shots | Able to get out in one shot |
| Course management | Assess your course management after every round |
| Short game | Practice as frequently as possible |
| Swing | Rotational (George Gankas), athletic and natural (Shawn Clement), simple (Mike Malaska), alternative (Jim Venetos) |
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What You'll Learn
Manage your game
To break 85 in golf, you need to manage your game and have a great short game. Here are some tips to help you achieve that:
Firstly, assess your game and identify areas for improvement. This self-awareness will help you focus on the specific skills you need to work on. For example, chipping with a putter, pitching the ball, and getting out of a bunker in one shot are essential capabilities. Understanding the ball flight laws and how they affect your swing will also help you make adjustments on the course.
Secondly, practice your short game frequently. You can chip in your backyard, putt in your house, or spend a little extra time at your local course to improve your short game. The more you practice, the better you'll become, and the easier it will be to manage your game.
Thirdly, consider getting a golf instructor. Following an instructor's system can be part of the formula to breaking 85. There are instructors with different specialities, such as rotational-based swings, athletic and natural movements, utilising hands and making simple golf swings, and alternative swings. Choose an instructor that aligns with your goals and learn as much as you can from them.
Lastly, view your game improvement as a journey. Golf is a game that can be played for many years, and your skills will develop over time. Be patient with yourself and enjoy the process of improving your game. Remember, the key is to keep things simple and not make golf harder than it needs to be.
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Improve your swing
Improving your swing is a key part of breaking 85 in golf. One of the quickest ways to improve your swing is to take lessons from a swing instructor. There are a variety of instructors with different focuses, such as rotational-based swings, athletic and natural movement, or utilising your hands to make a simple golf swing.
You can also improve your swing by understanding the ball flight laws and making adjustments to your swing on the course. Learning how to chip with a putter, pitch the ball, and get out of a bunker in one shot are all important skills that can help you break 85.
Additionally, focusing on low-point control and start line on the golf swing can help you improve your swing and break 85. Practicing your short game in your backyard, putting in your house, or at a local course for 15-20 minutes a day can also help improve your swing.
Finally, it's important to assess your game and identify areas for improvement. This can include course management, such as playing briskly and applying the same par-4 logic to par-3s and par-5s. By combining swing improvement with training and a great short game, you can quickly break 85 and maybe even break 80.
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Understand ball flight laws
Golf's Ball Flight Laws are essential to understanding why you hit every shot the way you do. They can help you comprehend why you are pulling, pushing, slicing, and drawing the golf ball. The ball flight laws can be categorised into path, clubface angle, strike, angle of attack, speed, and loft.
The clubface angle at impact is the most important factor in determining the direction of the golf ball's flight. The "old" ball flight laws stated that the clubhead pattern and swing path were the most important factors. The clubhead pattern could be closed, square, or open. A closed clubface would curve the ball left, a square face would produce a straight shot, and an open face would produce a shot that curves to the right. However, the new ball flight laws state that the clubface angle is the most important factor in determining the direction of the ball. The ball will start off 80-85% in the direction of the clubface orientation after impact.
The launch angle, which is determined by the angle of attack and the loft at impact, is a significant contributor to the distance of the shot. The greater the launch angle, the higher the shot will go. Other factors that affect distance include the speed of the clubhead, the quality of the strike, and the spin rate. The spin rate is determined by the clubhead speed, friction, and spin loft, which is the difference between the angle of attack and the dynamic loft.
The dimple pattern on a golf ball also affects the flight by influencing the drag, which is the force that resists the ball's motion through the air. A more efficient dimple design reduces drag and helps the ball maintain speed, increasing the distance of the shot.
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Practice chipping and pitching
Chipping and pitching are essential skills to learn if you want to break 85 in golf. Chipping is a short game skill that can be practised in your backyard or at a local course. Choose one club to start chipping with and get to know it well by practising with it from different lies, distances, and locations in your stance. You can also use your putter for chipping. Focus on the line where you want the ball to land, rather than the hole itself, and be specific—aim for a spot the size of a small coin. Practise creating a stroke that will get the ball to land on that spot.
Once you've mastered this technique with one club, you can switch to a higher or lower loft, depending on the situation. If you're playing on hard and dry fairways and rough, get wedges with low bounce. Practise chipping from within 20 yards of the green, as this is a more common scenario than trying to make GIR from 175+ yards out.
Pitching is another important skill to master. To pitch the ball, you need to move it forward, take a swing, and use the bounce. Practise pitching from different distances and lies to get a feel for the club and the shot.
Practising your short game is key to breaking 85 in golf. The more you understand the game, the more you can correct your swing and improve your performance.
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Learn from an instructor
Learning from an instructor is a great way to improve your golf game and break 85. Here are some tips to help you get started:
First, consider seeking guidance from a golf professional or instructor. They can provide personalised advice and feedback to improve your technique. For example, if you're seeking a rotational-based swing, George Gankas would be an ideal instructor. Alternatively, Shawn Clement focuses on vision and natural athletic movements, while Mike Malaska can help former baseball players with their golf swing. Explore alternative swings with Jim Venetos, or get free feedback on your swing from a positional standpoint with Bobby Lopez.
Second, focus on understanding the fundamentals of a good golf swing. This includes concepts like low-point control and start line on the golf swing. Work on improving your swing technique through drills and practice. Assess your game and identify areas for improvement, such as swing mechanics, course management, and mental focus.
Third, practice your short game as frequently as possible. The short game is crucial to breaking 85, and you can easily practice chipping in your backyard or putting indoors. Work on drills and exercises to improve your chipping and putting skills, as this will help you manage your game better and lower your scores.
Fourth, view your game improvement as a journey. Breaking 85 in golf takes time and consistent practice. Be patient with your progress and commit to the process. Assess your performance regularly and make adjustments as needed. Remember, the more you understand the game and its underlying principles, the better you'll be able to correct your swing and make improvements.
Finally, consider combining in-person lessons with online resources. Online platforms like Golf Journey 365 offer valuable tips and drills to improve your game. You can also use tools like golf simulators to analyse and refine your swing mechanics. By blending in-person instruction with online resources, you can accelerate your progress and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the game.
By following these steps and learning from a qualified instructor, you'll be well on your way to breaking 85 in golf and enjoying the rewards of improved performance.
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Frequently asked questions
Focus on improving your swing and short game. Practice chipping in your backyard, putting in your house, or at a local course for 15-20 minutes daily. Additionally, consider getting a swing instructor to follow.
Assess your game and identify areas for improvement. Work on low-point control and start line on the golf swing. Consider getting a caddie to help you manage your round and keep the ball in play.
On par-3s and par-5s, apply par-4 logic. Find your playable left rough and ensure your tee-shot line allows for an "OK miss." Develop your chipping, pitching, and bunker skills.
