The Breakdown of Breaking 80 - I’ll Show You the Math

[@heuristix77]

Break 80 from not a scratch, break 90 from sidekick, what a blessed day for golf content.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

On a most blessed of days!

[@stefanschumacher6208]

One thing that makes this channel stand out from the rest of KZbin golf is there’s no phony drama with corny matches and lame intros. Hope you get a nice lift off Golf Digest.

[@lincolnballard3588]

Just looked that up - Adam, congrats! Dude, you're in Golf Digest! Doesn't get much better than that. Well done.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks Stefan. Yeah, I try to cut to the chase!

[@Stiglar5360]

It’s nice to see someone showing what is possible with realistic distances for each club.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks :)

[@hungry_arch]

Way to grind it out on the back Adam. I love that. Something slips, catch a few bad breaks, but don’t give up and find a way. Keep up the great work on these videos.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks man

[@albiinomies]

What a player, and I love the compressed videos with no nonsense. Merry christmas and great rounds for next year!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks man!

[@user2023workingonmygame]

Great video! Great reminder that even in a great round you’re going to have bad shots. (I consider any round in the 70’s to be a great round.) Also, I’m tired of other KZbin videos that take 15 minutes to show you what they could otherwise do in 5 minutes. You keep things moving and by doing so keep our interest. Much appreciate what you do. Well done!

[@DoubleBogeyBoys]

Moral of the story is make every single 8 footer

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Or at least try to :p

[@markj4202]

As usual, you provided an excellent video and showed how to break 80 (consistenly I must say!) without a million dollar country club swing. Your short game and course management are amazing!! Also, congrats on the very, very nice article in Golf Digest. I think it will blow up your channel to over 100K subscribers sometime in 2025. I know that I will continue to subscribe and look very forward to your next video. Thank you for sharing!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks so much, Mark. Was definitely surreal seeing my mug on Golf Digest. Appreciate the kind words.

[@RyansReviewHowTo]

Dropped my handicap about 6 when I focused on green light drives. Everyone talks about putting for dough, but it’s pointless if you can’t get yourself a birdie or par look.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Agreed!

[@samstirling3191]

Another belter. Read the Golf Digest, makes me love the channel even more. 🎉❤

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks Sam!

[@Am-iz9di]

Broke 80 for the first time in September, was awesome to finally do so. All it took was zero 3+ putts, leaving the driver and 3 wood at home, and solid wedge play. Your videos were helpful, thanks!

[@crankin7662]

One of your best vlogs. Nice round!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks!

[@AVDFI1961]

Some great golf Adam. Thanks for all your content this year and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks man, Merry Xmas!

[@r.l.rachel740]

Appreciate the valued guidance. Thank you.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks!

[@JPGolfz]

Gotta love this content! Some refreshing golf content ❤

[@JPGolfz]

New subscriber here! I’m just starting my KZbin golf journey ⛳️🏌️ Happy Holidays everyone!🎄

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

@@JPGolfz Thanks man, happy holidays!

[@agluebbert]

Great video, putting that way can make you break 70! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks man

[@legoman191]

How to break 80: be an absolute weapon with the putter from 10 feet and in.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Doesn't hurt :p

[@steveschwab922]

Great scoring on a tough course Adam! It seemed that making those early putts gave you confidence.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks. Yeah a few unlikely up and downs early in the round definitely calmed the nerves. Some missteps on the back but still a round I was happy with!

[@brucehanna9473]

Nice round, Adam. Love your putting stroke!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks!

[@darryljt]

Driver is becoming your weapon now! Way to go!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks man

[@electricalstuff259]

Your short game is brilliant

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks

[@Rayceemon]

Switching into those hybrids also seems to be paying dividends in that part of your bag. I should look at switching out some of my long irons too. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, Adam .

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks man, Merry Xmas! Indeed, I play with a lot of older guys and then inspired me to toss the 5i in favor of a hybrid. It’s possible that the 6i will be the next casualty…

[@Omnis2]

6:12 This look here is a major pet peeve of mine. I can't stand having to chip or pitch onto the green or splash out of a bunker with other players standing on the green. I don't need to be thinking about not hitting you. If you're playing with others, please wait greenside and out of the path until everyone has hit from the approach.

[@michaelswisher8630]

and people who can't stand stilll while you are putting.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

@@michaelswisher8630 Yeah this bothers me more than what @Omnis2 mentioned

[@gloworms]

Is this the channel of that famous guy from the article?

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

:p

[@HA-eb8ux]

9:32 doing Jason dirty with this cameo 😂

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Lol and it's gonna get worse when I drop his/mine Pitch and Putt match :p

[@chasemash9089]

I used to play this course all the time. Cool when you see people you follow play at courses you’ve played. Course used to be a lot better before they changed the routing and back nine!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

What was the previous layout?

[@mattballesteros9166]

Great vid man! Is it me or has Silverrock seen better days…? Not even talking about most peoples issue which is the unfinished construction. You had many dry areas in the fairways, bunkers looked hard and compact and many tee boxes looked busted up…

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Yeah, SilverRock (and most courses in the desert) came late out of overseed this year. Front 9 wasn't up to standards (I appreciate that they at least warned us about this when I went to book). Back 9 was much better.

[@Omnis2]

Adam's driver swing reminds me of Giancarlo Stanton's baserunning. Both bombers.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Need to Google this.

[@PunyaCinema]

Heyo that swing is looking smoother!!!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks man

[@haydenredl2919]

SilverRock is looking a little worse for wear. It used to be one of my favourites courses but not a fan of the redesign they did some years ago. Great point on counting your average number of bad shots and knowing how many you can get away with to still break 80. This inspires me to count mine in the future and see what my number is. Lets you forgive yourself for bad ones much easier and realize they’re just part of the game. It’s how you react to them that really counts

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Love this, Hayden!

[@antennasbc]

So true. A great quote is "You aren't good enough to be mad at bad shots!"..that's me!

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

have a great Christmas and thanks for all the inspiring videos. I'd love to know your decision for changing putter (sorry if I missed you talking about this already) as you were already a super putter. I'm thinking of getting a new putter and not sure if the cost is justified. I'm an ok putter as is but think it may drop a few shots for me.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Merry XMas! I tried out my friend's LAB and felt like I pushed/pulled fewer putts with it. I don't think *any* club (putter or not) can meaningfully improve your game overnight. With putting, for example, green reading and speed control are the two most important factors, IMHO. With that said, getting the ball started on your intended line is important, too, especially inside 10'. I feel like the LAB helps me quite a bit with that. Whether it's worth the cost is sort of subjective. I struggle to believe that the material cost of the putter justifies its price, but with that said, I'd sooner spend more cash on a putter than a driver, personally.

[@zackmiller1822]

Those fairways look chewed up. SilverRock typically in really good condition. Nice video like always.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks! Yeah I mentioned in another comment that the front 9 there is still getting there.

[@agroblueberries]

I don't give a shit what they say about the way your swing looks, you've hit every shot (until the 9th hole) either straight or with a slight draw. The scorecard doesn't care what your swing looks like, just how many shots you took to put that ball in the hole. Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks, man. I wish more golfers would understand that the game is called "golf" and not "golf swing." I think my janky swing demonstrates that you can get around OK without a textbook swing. Merry Xmas!

[@stevemagers8159]

You should be a PGA pro putting instructor. Great video!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Lol thanks.

[@rk-ez6ch]

Crazy your swing gets you breaking 80... putt game is phenomenal

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks man

[@gkLA33]

Just curious notice on some of your videos you fade into the back 9. What’s your nutrition like during the round? You getting enough calories? Hydration? Etc… Nice round Adam 👌

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks! I drink a ton of water on the course, which I find helps. Usually a Cliff bar, as well. My turn shack habits are less healthy…

[@TheDjcarter1966]

Nice Adam ... As always it is you putter that is King, you simply refuse to three put

[@willyjameshuff]

His putting is unreal

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

haha thanks. Definitely ran hot on the front 9. I maintain that the driver was the best club that day, though :p

[@DanielSong39]

I break 80 every time, usually on the front 9

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Big brain thinking here

[@JordanWeinstein-jf7jt]

Enjoying your content (and your short game)! You mentioned a few videos back that you were going to discuss that new (LabGolf) putter; which video is it in?

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Coming soon!

[@johnc68]

Adam.. Have you ever done a "what's in the bag" video? That would be cool to watch

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

I've done a couple. Since my last one, the only clubs that I've changed are: -5i swapped out for a TSR2 26° hybrid, and -Putter swapped out for a LAB DF3 The video is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmK3gomMa8-qgposi=q0l-ZFao_XjOc6dT

[@EricHerrmann-u3s]

Hey. I'm heading to Palm Springs in January. What are your top 5 courses in the area? Would love to get your opinion.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Hey Eric! In no particular order, I’d recommend Classic Club, Desert Willow (Firecliff), Shadow Ridge, Eagle Falls, and Indian Canyons (either course). Oh, also the PGA West Pete Dye Mountain Course.

[@heydeereman1040]

2:14 this happens to me a lot. My GIR numbers are terrible, but hit 40+% 1 putt 😂

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Lol. I used to have a brutal habit of missing fairways by mere inches. I call those an "Adam."

[@RealSweetTom]

First! Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks, Tom. Merry XMas!

[@STAN_THE_DAYZ_SNIPER]

Look at those fresh shoes.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Black Friday sale 😂

[@coltkesselring2636]

Nice round man!

[@thebyronhetzler]

I think I was behind that same palm tree on 14 when I played there in April.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Strategically placed, it seems

[@fitnessrealty]

How's that LAB putter? I just got one, seems awesome, but I haven't played on course yet.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Loving it so far. Feel like I start more putts on my intended line with it.

[@fitnessrealty]

@@NotAScratchGolfer awesome! I am stoked. I got mine in Orange. So excited with the colors.

[@danielhowell167]

What are your strokes gained stats like for putting? I’ve got to imagine you are in the + territory!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Yeah, Arccos has my putting handicap usually hovering around zero, eking into the plusses.

[@DreGolfs]

How are you liking the df3?

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Love it so far. Feel like I start more putts on my intended line with it.

[@DreGolfs]

Also is this the round you played w Jason?

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

One of a few, yeah!

[@zeos386sx]

I usually break 80 by hitting 79ish shots and then stop

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

lol

[@Rexij]

The formula is having a scratch level shortgame. Never not impressed by it.

[@OrvinReyes]

yeah this guys SG is insane

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks, man. I do think that my tee game gets overlooked as a major reason for decent scoring, which I tried to emphasize in this video. Not in order to brag, but rather to emphasize that putting the ball in play is as important - or more - as the short game.

[@davidroeger794]

Looks like you need to do another WITB, I see a number of different clubs!

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

I should get around to this, although there have actually only been two changes since my last WITB one year ago. Swapped out the 5 iron for a Titleist TSR2 hybrid dialed to 26°, and switched to a LAB DF3 putter.

[@chuck994]

​@@NotAScratchGolferwe're you fitted for the DF3?

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

@@chuck994 Yes!

[@JDB4197]

New Putter?

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Yessir. LAB DF3.

[@jacksonbevan427]

On the third hole, you mentioned that it doesn’t count as a green in reg since you were slightly off the green. In that case, do you count it as a two putt still? Personally I count putts from the fringe as putts for my own statistics, but putts from way off the green I don’t. Curious to know your thinking and if that aligns with the official guidelines

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

I count it as a green missed (long) and a 1-putt. When I first started tracking stats, I would count any shot hit with a putter as a "putt" and would track fringe as a GIR. At year's end, the stats appeared to show that my approach game was fire and my putter was the culprit of poor scores. Obviously this is the opposite of the truth, so I switched to doing it "by the book," and the stats better reflected reality.

[@Am-golfer]

what tees do you play from, tips?

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Not often. I usually go by course rating/slope more than yardage, barring extreme circumstances. So long as the rating isn't more than ~1.5 strokes over Par and the slope doesn't top the high 130s, I'm fine playing any box. Typically, though, I find myself playing anywhere between 6,200-6,600 yards.

[@shaunald]

How do you like the LAB putter? My 2025 goal is to finally break 80. Got down to 81 in November (magical Vancouver fall).

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Love the LAB. Feel like I'm starting more putts on my intended line with it. Keep grindin'!!

[@ckjjclan]

How is that putter performing for you?

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

So far I like it!

[@gibson3lespaul]

Nah.. I just need a new driver and new irons... :D

[@donkee9]

Driver is pure now. Fairway finder in the most respectable way

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Thanks!

[@Blaaww1]

Watched the first minute. Seems like a good vid but we can all agree the mic on his hat looks ridiculous right😂

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Lol yeah it's goofy looking. I have a lavalier mic for it but the windscreen for it is broken.

[@nikherder9565]

i see you mentioned trying to fade some shots, its never going to work out when your swing is always way inside out.

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

Funny given that I hit fades frequently :p