How to Break 80 in Golf

If you have been looking for ways on how to break 80 in golf, these 5 tips will help you get on your way to shooting lower scores!
1. Driver Tip - if you are trying to break 80 in golf, you have to have some sort of distance in your golf game. How much driver distance? At least 250 yards for a male golfer, 200 yards for a female golfer. If you're trying to break 80, you're a pretty serious golfer, so you should probably get properly fit for your driver and other clubs.
2. Knowledge - if you want to improve your golf game, you need to have some basic knowledge of your own golf game, from swing characteristics to shot patterns and tendencies. Taking a few lessons from a qualified golf instructor can help you better understand your own golf game.
3. Short Putting - plain and simple, you can't be missing short putts if you are trying to break 80. A few unnecessary extra putts is usually the difference between hitting a 78/79 and 81/82, so short putting is a must.
4. Scoring Clubs - These are your wedges, and you have to be dialed in on your wedges to be breaking 80.
5. Playing Your Cards - course management is a must, which goes back to taking some instruction and understanding your game better. If you know your shot patterns, you know when to attack a flag and go for a birdie, and when to hit to the middle of the green, take your par and move on to the next hole.
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[@geoffcohen613]

I break 80 regularly and i hit it 210m . I do know my distances with my irons which is what I thought you were going to say. surprised you didn't mention to break 80 one has to have a game plan for the course. knowing when to make a bogey and its OK. not hitting driver off tee on every hole, play for personal par

[@the_g1254]

I agree with everything but if u shoot remotely close to 80s I would've thought its a given to know ur distances with ur clubs

[@rackum44]

I agree with what you said. Short game is a huge part of breaking 80 also. I shoot 80-85 consistently,so I'm trying to get into the 70's

[@rmusic5357]

same here

[@storieswithaly1247]

Few comments- speaking as someone that has moved from 22 to 12 over a two year period: 1. as a senior golfer in mid 60s and even with club fitting it is a challenge to get to the 250 plus with the driver. 2. Part of the knowledge is realizing that you must equally focus on exercise, drills including on the core and on strength. But equally specific golf related exercises for flexibility, hip and body turn etc. 3. While I agree with the point on lessons I have found that many pros are not that good as teachers nor really know how to break it down effectively so that someone can work from where they are and build from there rather than the other way around which is usually how pros seem to teach. I have learned most from a few select KZbin channels after reviewing over 1000, pared down to three to five of the best which includes those that give you simple drills or tips and techniques including in my case for seniors. 4. Even in club fitting especially irons and wedges (I suppose putters too - more on this in a moment), think consistency (which clubs give you least dispersion (both front and back and side to side). Indeed after many tests and even fittings I found everyone recommends one specific brand or two that they like or read about or make assumptions about (or get incentives to promote!). Indeed by ignoring all those recommendations and focusing my effort on the consistency point I went with irons no one mentioned or indeed some recommended against yet are a considerable part of my my improvement. Combine this with focused practice on the range and even on the course - if you hit more than one ball sometimes take the worst one not the best one for the next shot helps you to eliminate mistakes or rather know how to deal with difficult shots. But also use tools like swing caddie to hone in on expect distances with each club and know your gaps well. 5. On putting sometimes it is the grip- I now use three alternate grips depending on the situation and learned this on a putter fitting indeed in this case someone who was not recommending any specific putter or even a putter change (refreshing!). 6. Don’t go all macho and only use iron shafts even in wedges - in my case right choice of shafts for all clubs were equally key to the dispersion issue. 7. Spend more time on the short irons and wedges and putting - the scoring clubs. 8. Try playing rounds with half a set (max 7 or even 6 clubs) - a real learning experience and improves your imagination but also you control of different distances, flights, and direction (draw/fade etc) with one specific club. 9. Indeed putting with your biggest wedge - in my case the 58/04 really sharpened and improved my focus and my putting. ...just some thoughts...from my experience

[@kymstock1852]

Thanks for your input Stories with Aly. My demographis matches yours so I was very interested in your information, but I am at the higher end of the handicap range( 19). If I can address your points and comment I hope it might help other older golfers. 1. I can at best carry my driver 220 yards ( Cobra F9 set at 11.5 degrees) 2. Exercise; I use Shin Otakes' exercise program and a bit of Yoga on alternate days. 3. Lessons; I tend to use KZbin and found Jim Venetos method to suit my aged / broken body best. Video review and personal lesson plans allow quick improvement. I had bought lesson videos from Adam Bazlejet and Tom Stickney, but they tend to make me into a PGA clone, which doesn'nt suit my body's agility limitations. My KZbin top instructors are Shawn Clement, Mr Short GAme, Steven Johnstone, Kurt Junge minimalist swing, Golf Sidekick for course management ideas. 4. Irons dispersion; I use single length Cobra irons F9 and am getting good accuracy when combined with Jim Venetos swing method. At last I am getting good reproducable strike! I went 5i to GW in SL and variable lenght for 54 58 wedges. I am surprised the number of seniors who have never heard of single length irons. There is a manufacturer in Australia ( Milford Golf) where you can get cheap single length clubs to see if they suit you, before buying Sterlings etc. 5. Putting; I am on number 3 putter. Number 1 was not fitted and erratic, #2 Gravity Golf Arc master putter for an arc putting method was great for lag putting , but not for inside 4 feet. #3 Rife mallet with Kotahi triangular grip that suits my current " push style" method. 7. Putting skill. the steel ruler method worked for me getting accurate inside 3 feet. Square club face or the ball rolls off the ruler. 8. My Travel half set: Fairway 4 wood 16 , Hybrid 22, 7i,9i,Gap wedge, 56 wedge , Arc MAster putter ( try to get consistent/ wider gaps) 9. Putting with wedge leading edge for lag putts. Golf sidekick says that once you master this, putting with your putter seems so much easier.

[@storieswithaly1247]

Thanks for these comments. Valuable additions and reinforcements. If others are interested I can share some of the best links that I have found and will certainly check out the ones you mentioned also. In due course (over the next month or two) I am setting up a youtube channel golf studio or Aly’s golf studio where I intend to cover tips, tools, exercises, warm ups, core and muscle strengthening and more specific for senior golfers like myself from the five recent years or trial, error, learning, experimentation and trying and checking out over 1000 channels out there as well as speaking to other senior golfers and pros. I will also go over those gadgets and tools that I have found useful and perhaps even those I have not. Thanks again and happy golfing

[@miroslavhemza39]

So what are the these good KZbin channels?

[@storieswithaly1247]

Miroslav Hemza here are a couple worth checking out. Obviously you know usgolftv already. 1. On fitting issues and variations one of the best is txg in Canada. I am not sure that I like where they have gone since and testing of clubs is much too long and too much talking but earlier clips of looking at shafts, heads etc were very useful especially before you go yourself to a fitter- worth knowing the issues, options, terminology etc and even having some numbers in mind beforehand through for example use of swingcaddie data. 2. There are a few specific clips or lessons that are useful also - one is more pars; the other is a clip (nice and short) by Jason day on chipping. Although his technique - taking the hands out completely of the chip- is good to go back to basics and now my wife swears by it and has worked for her, you may want to compare that technique with another - usgolftv does a couple as do others (or follow); 3 athletic motion golf which is great as it uses gears data and technology and compares pro and other techniques and translates them into useful short elements for average mortals. They also suggest some useful and unique drill and swing throughly that I have found immensely helpful. 4. By far the best though is Eric cogorno golf that puts out clips a couple of times a week, breaks things down well, very useful on every aspect. Also identifies drills often to have and feels especially on every aspect but also highlights orders of importance and to address certain things before thinking about others- the importance of sequencing is critical not to get overly confused. It has probably been largely responsible for my significant improvement. I break down their clips into much shorter 1 max 2 min ones instead of the 10-11 min average to focus on the essence. Outstanding site and covers pretty much everything - not fitting though, nor club reviews of which there are a ton out there (and actually don’t mean much in terms of getting the right ones for you). If I had one comment on them it would be that most is focused on irons and the scoring clubs - understandably- and not much on fairway woods or hybrids. A little on drivers though. Not that the technique, rotation etc aspects are that different- more an issue of ball placement location and shaft lean and tilt angle only difference. But am sure you know that. There are many other sites I have checked out from time to time - like Alex Elliott golf but I have found that between those I have mentioned they are more than sufficient. Hope this helps. Let me know what you think. Of course I will check out others mentioned by other comments also. By the way I also download the best swing techniques and then import them into an excellent app and compare with mine with the tools that come with them. Again I have tested many apps and found one or two to be consistently good and useful and also practical for video. I am about to put live view golf to the test too to see whether that becomes one of my key tools or not as I aspire to get to scarred golf over the next two seasons.

[@dougmael]

I am 71 years old, and 2019 is the first year in a really long time that I did not break 80 on a regulation (par 70 to par 73) golf course. My low score last year was 81, which I shot twice [I did shoot nine-hole scores in the 30s more than a few times last year] . Back in the 1990s, when I was in my 40s, I was a single-digit handicap and I broke 80 much of the time - I even broke 70 twice in the early 1990s, with scores of 67 and 68. I think that ALL of your advice is spot-on, particularly regarding mastering short putting and wedge play. I find that my scores and handicap have gone up most dramatically as I have developed a case of wedge and putting "yips" in recent years. When my 2 to 4 foot putting and wedge play are reasonably good, I can shoot in the low 80s. However, when I am having those short game "yips", all bets are off and I shoot anywhere from the mid/high 80s to well into the 90s .... and it has become VERY frustrating!

[@USGOLFTVshow]

dougmael all time great post right here!! So cool to see you playing golf into your 70’s and still striving to improve...awesome! Thanks for posting and sharing your knowledge 👊

[@Airbus320lover]

Coach I now saw this video, wow and many thanks. I am doing a driver fitting/lesson today after my round of golf. I mostly hit a 5W off the tee except on short Par 4s or Par 3s. My Pro and I know once I get up in distance it will become easier for me, I iron game is good and my decisions for chipping are also good. My strongest part of the process is my putting, I love itttttttttttt. Twice I've came close to breaking 80 and I know very soon I will. Knowing that I'm not going to force it because that will make me make bad decisions.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

You got this....

[@coreywilson6692]

I recently bought a face balanced putter that has improved my line and distance. Paying attention to details like grip, posture and aim have improved my game as well.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

You got it! 👊

[@pilotngb]

Some good tips. I'm playing off 7 which is right on the 80 mark (Par 73 for my home course). Going to take the tips from your video to the course this weekend.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Neil Bradon awesome! Which tip did you find the most interesting?

[@pilotngb]

@@USGOLFTVshow The one about practicing putting.

[@princevillekauainorthshore736]

Agree, wedges and short putts are key. Great video, thank you.

[@jimdog22001]

Well-done I'll add, related to #1 but also the others, is focusing on fitness to go with technique (knowledge/lessons). A light to moderate workout routine - stretching, some golf-specific weights - helps you hit it farther AND more consistent. You don't have to swing as hard: your big muscles take over.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Jim Rossi great points...agree 💯! Taking care of the body is key to good long term improvement...solid post. 👊

[@jimdog22001]

@@USGOLFTVshow For sure! The stretching & core workouts especially help making the swing more consistent & powerful & also helps my short game. I feel more stable in proper stance & more able to keep my hands/arms passive & just turn though the shot (or swing shoulders putting. Great post, thanks again.

[@dduplessis399]

I'm driving at avarge 270 and my game within 140 is amazing but my biggest problem is the mental game.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

D Du Plessis this is true for so many golfers...great point! We will be producing some content around this soon...thanks for posting!!

[@bobmackey8529]

The last time I broke 80 was 13 days before your video. I play from the golds,5638 yards. Average drive = 170 yards (includes 2 mis-hits). Greens in reg = 6, putts = 28. I've shot 80 quite a few times since then. I broke 80 quite a few times before that (without 250 yd drives). Broke 80 4 times that summer, turned 89 years old in March of that year ;-)

[@bobmackey8529]

Ooooops, turned 80 in March of that year.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Awesome! This is what makes golf the greatest game...we can always improve no matter our age

[@barbt.9211]

Oh sure you do, LOL

[@anthonyantro3813]

I also find after I set up to hit the ball with my driver... I will move my club head back maybe inch and a half towards me from the ball and it seems to really just let me launch that sucker... went from hitting 250- 260...to hit 260 to 300... it all stems from having my clubs fitted clubs I felt comfortable with...taylorMade R11s 1,3,5 I love my three wood.... call it my Warhawk

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Interesting...thanks for the idea..never heard that about moving the clubhead back an inch or so...we will be trying that! Good post..

[@1785ugabulldogs]

Really good advice. I am hitting anywhere between 82 and 89. This advice suits my game perfectly.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Richard Glenn Goodson awesome! Be sure to let us know how it goes...thanks for posting and hope you subscribed 👊

[@ATHikers]

I struggle to break 80 due to one main reason. I have the yips in chipping. Hopefully you'll do a segment on that. Thanks.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

You bet we did, let us know if this helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5ikqoytnqqlr5o

[@chrisfreitag2603]

Good advice. Would also recommend putting lesson(s), putter and wedge fitting as well as proper gaping between your clubs. i.e. know what your carry and total distance on average for each club. Technology also helps with either rangefinder or GPS watch.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Good points...proper fitting is important along with proper gaping can really lead to improved scoring. These are ideas we did not mention but are key...thanks for the reminders! Great post.

[@MrAshtute]

I agree the lower you want to shoot the more you need to be able to manage your game. There are times (even when breaking 80) to wedge it back into play and try get up and down but if necessary make a good bogey. It's essential to break 80 to keep the big numbers off your card.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Adam...spot on...golf is a game of strategy more so then the average golfer believes...a big part of the game...Great post! Thanks for posting

[@kirkland0074]

I’m in the mid 80’s and my problem are those 3-6 foot putts so many up and downs that I waste with those short putts. Thanks for the video.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Kirkland 007 our pleasure! Thanks for watching...I will tell our content team we need to do a video on those 3-6 foot putts...hope you subscribed...more great content to come

[@williaki37]

I really liked the playing your cards part. It reminded me to remember my ball flight when hitting my next shot. Thank you.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. Glad the information was helpful...we do our best to provide good quality insights into the game...be sure to subscribe..more good content coming!

[@jimdog22001]

To that point... I've been playing recently with FIVE wedges (PW, UW, 56SW, 60W & 64W), which are my strength along with putting. I honestly get just a tiny bit of value out of the extra lob wedge (60's ultra-low bounce, which helps on hardpan I play a lot). BUT it's forced me to take either 3W or 3 iron out of my bag - clubs which I've had trouble striking consistently & which have gotten me into trouble. So I lay up & play to my strength - addition by subtraction. As I hit the longer clubs better, they'll earn their way into my bag - & as cards to play on the course.

[@lam_GT]

I break 80 100% of the time when I only play 9 holes

[@teedot1186]

Good video. Thanks

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Our pleasure! What other topics would you like to see us cover?

[@teedot1186]

@@USGOLFTVshow I like the Mental game... Swing videos are great as well but mental institution can be absorbed.

[@jackwhite2383]

I hit my texas wedge (putter) instead of wedges around the green up to twenty feet off the green if the grass is mowed short. I get the ball within six feet or closer with my putter. I compare using a wedge and my putter always gets me closer to the pin. I have watched your video on wedge play and I still prefer my putter. Any suggestions? Jack White

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Great idea, the Texas wedge is legendary! Have you tried using your putting motion with your wedge?

[@jacobwagner4855]

Great video, can't wait for next season!

[@TungNguyen-mx6zd]

My friend, he is short and his driver distance is only around 210y but he is a 8 HDC

[@USGOLFTVshow]

We all know one of those guys..soooo true! Great point Tung...thanks for comment.

[@MrChip8970]

I just want to add a comment and clear up a myth about the illusive draw. I am an engineer and frankly from a physics standpoint a draw is no better than a fade. Both have side spin and if both had the same side spin they both would go the same distance The only reason a draw seems to go further has to do with gear effect. I would still argue a straight ball flight is the most efficient . On a side note if you use shape either draw or fade remember to take more club for a fade versus a draw as a fade will not go as far.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

cecil roberts some great knowledge right here...you make solid points...thanks for adding to the conversation 👊

[@storieswithaly1247]

Just to add that by using fewer clubs I began to realise that I could hone in on different distances with the same club and was key to improved scoring. Then practicing this on the range was key so for instance I now can pretty well judge and hit my ball 20, 30, 40...up to 100 yds with my gap wedge (52/08). So work out distance systems with your scoring clubs. Choose sites and advise carefully also as there is a lot of bad teaching and in some cases incorrect advise out there - so for instance if you compare what you are being taught or have been taught against data and evidence for example from gears (such as used by athletic motion golf) it is quite revealing. On lessons, I found Robogolf better that others as it focuses on muscle memory. Again cannot underscore enough the need for improved fitness and strength in the right places and specific to golf.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Great insights and ideas right here...nice post!

[@angelinahansen5157]

Highly disagree with the first tip. I am a committed D1 golfer to the university of Wyo and i believe that you could hit your driver 200 yards and have a great short game and break 80 easily. The game of golf is played by strategy and great planning. Other than that, great video

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Angelina Hansen great post! Love your perspective...you are correct...a great short game goes a long ways. 👊 Congrats on your success.

[@Ti10itup]

So I'm an 8.6. I do have most of the things mentioned in this video. However I have no time. Play 9 holes once a week. Should I be realistic or keep trying to reach a goal that seems unreachable with how often I get to play

[@USGOLFTVshow]

You are knocking on the door! Keep chasing the goal IMO. Can you find a few minutes at home to do a few swings each day? Every little bit helps!

[@Ti10itup]

@@USGOLFTVshow I hit foam balls full and chip actually balls at a target almost daily

[@adrianjackman9422]

Do all of that except hit it 250 as a sixty something year old with arthritis don't see it happening. Problem with that is only break 80 a few times a season as my short game and putting needs to be A1.

[@Charlyky]

Average amateur takes 1.72 putts per hole or around 31 putts per round. On a par 72, it’s still almost 1/2 of the strokes to even par. Of course GIR%, proximity to hole with pitching and chipping plays a part in the 1.72 average putts per hole.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

We like stats and these are solid! Thanks for sharing and adding to the conversation...great post!

[@Charlyky]

US GOLF TV Breaking 80 is difficult to do on a consistent basis.

[@jonkring487]

are you talking about 250 yard drives from the tips?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Depends on the length of the hole...

[@briankinread2293]

250 yard drive. What length Course are you playing. Don’t need to hit it that far if you are playing 5,600 yards.

[@MrAshtute]

Many courses are further than that and yes many are shorter.. But it is still a valid point as even on shorter courses they do still have some long holes and alot of card wrecking scores come from people trying to hit long irons or fairway woods into a green and hitting it into the deep stuff and possibly OB or losing a ball and running up doubles trebles or even worse.

[@datguy6843]

Whose playing a 5600 yard course? My country club from whites is 6300, blues are 6600 and tips are from 7000. I play blues all the time no matter where I play. I can't remember the last time I played a course that was less than even 6000.

[@MrAshtute]

@@datguy6843 that's your course there are lots of courses smaller than that.

[@RBKathletics]

5600 is like a par 3/4 course or women’s tees. If not, you have found the easiest course in America. Shouldn’t need a driver to break 80 at a place like that? Is it $10 a round? Lol

[@stefancoors1102]

Again, awesome content

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Thanks for watching and the kind words! Much appreciated...more great content to come...be sure to subscribe!

[@strohmoose]

I am 76 years of age and I can't consistently hit the driver 250 yards. ????

[@kennymacm3031]

I prefer being 220 on fairway than 260 in the bushes

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Kenny MacM we can agree on that. 👊

[@Cocoyan]

I like it！

[@voxpopuli6781]

Do I have to wear a white belt to break 80?

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Only if you want to look good... LOL

[@barbt.9211]

Nope just play from the right tees, Iike Jack said move up, no need to spend 500 dollars on a new driver and it will not work without club head speed and you know it.

[@BobRubinUSNA82]

I am surprised that the first tip was he claiming that you needed to hit the ball 250+ to consistently break 80. That's simply not true.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

It certainly depends on the length of golf course...for some it can be less or if you have a really solid short game...fair points

[@codysimon8329]

Hi

[@Skorelions]

I say lessons first. No sense in paying $500-600 for a new driver, only to get lessons later and have your swing change for the better. Then... Poof, your driver is no longer the best fit for you.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

Skorelions yep, best to get your game in shape and then get fit for a driver.. 👊

[@davidburchfield7317]

Don’t agree about distance. Playing the right tee, yes, hitting 250, no.

[@USGOLFTVshow]

David, thanks for posting....