Finally broke the coveted 80 mark

[twc]

Finally! Ahh it feels good to finally get a result that I know I'm capable of. I shot a 78 today, my all time best. No birdies, (left 3 hanging by their fingernails) and also no doubles or worse. My short game and putting were spot on. Driving was good enough and I was somehow crushing my irons much more than usual.

I realized that for me, the best way to improve my game, is to play as much as possible. While practicing always is good, I just don't have the time to putt for hours. I have been able to play about 6 times in the last 2 weeks and that has helped tremendously.

I guess the only point to this thread is to let all you sub-80 seekers know that there is hope. Just keep going after it and it will happen when you least expect.

-Trevor

[Silzildrummer]

Congrats on the round! I'm still playing for my first score in the 70's, but I know it's right around the corner somewhere.

[iWALK18]

who's jealous? This guy...

congrats to you though.

[senorchipotle]

Finally! Ahh it feels good to finally get a result that I know I'm capable of. I shot a 78 today, my all time best. No birdies, (left 3 hanging by their fingernails) and also no doubles or worse. My short game and putting were spot on. Driving was good enough and I was somehow crushing my irons much more than usual.

awesome job man! congrats... now comes the 75!

[twc]

Thanks guys. Just keep after it, it will happen.

I didn't even think about my score until the last few holes and I realized that as long as I didn't do anything stupid I could break 80.

I played yesterday and shot an even front 9 and proceeded to shoot 9 over on the back for an 81.

[wrx_junki]

My first round of sub 80 happened last week. 4 birdies along with 4 bogeys and a double on the front 9. Since I was only 1 over on the front 9, I played a very safe back 9 with 6 bogeys and 3 pars. Wish I had played a little bit more aggressive in the back 9 but I guess that could've made things worse.

[wrx_junki]

Thanks guys. Just keep after it, it will happen.

Man I would love to shoot an even 9 but I don't think that is happening anytime soon. Need to put a lot of hours into putting.

[Ed_Bighead]

Congrats!

On an aside,

Man I would love to shoot an even 9 but I don't think that is happening anytime soon. Need to put a lot of hours into putting.

You guys are lucky. Putting is the only thing I'm good at >.< If I could make it to the green in GIR + 1 strokes, I'd be getting pars and bogeys all day.

[Adumb]

Nice work! That's quite a feat! That's my next goal. I have come close but I've always had that 1 or 2 bad holes to shoot down my chances. Someday I'll have an all around good day like that. Good job!

[chriskzoo]

For me (and I think many) it is all about course management. I went from a 13 to a 9 handicap this year just by thinking better around the course. I am not a huge hitter (Driver 270, 7-iron 150ish) but I no longer try to hit the miracle shot and am much smarter about planning how I play each hole. In the past on sub-380 holes I would never dream of hitting anything but driver, but now if there is trouble, I'm apt to hit a hybrid and sit short of the bunkers and havea 6 or 7 iron in.

On my approach shots, I adopted a tip Corey Pavin gave in Golf Digest. Unless you're locked in with a wedge, your target should be somewhere between the pin and the side of the green that is the best miss. Usually it is to the side of the green opposite of where the flag is, but it could be short or long. If you miss-hit it and end up toward the pin, great, bonus for you. If you hit it where you want, probably an easy 2-putt. If you don't hit it where you want, chances are you'll still have a chip with a lot of green to work with and might get up and in for par.

I think the one place that people trying to break 80 lose a lot of strokes is trying to hit the miracle chip when you're short sided on a green - leaving your chip in the rough or in a bunker. Make sure you get the ball on the green, period - don't try to be a hero. You'll make more pars having to make a 15-footer than you will trying hit that miracle shot every time.

[jet pilot]

Congrats! Breaking 80 is a GREAT feeling. Now consistency is the key and the feeling will get even better!

[l8nvr]

Congratulations, still looking for my first sub 80 round ( a couple of 81's, hopefully this year before it is over), now you have the taste, what is your next scoring goal?

[bogeyhitter25]

That's an awesome round. The closest I've ever come was an 81. I'm playing a relatively short course Saturday, so if I play well I could have a chance at breaking 80.

[wrx_junki]

I attribute my breaking 80 to spending extra time on the practice greens. I think I don't go more than a day without spending 1-2 hours on the practice greens. Although, the putter gets hot and cold depending on where I go. Hopefully I can break into the 70's again soon and maybe the 80's at Black.

[twc]

Thanks for all the words everyone. My next goal is to be consistent and break 80 more often. 75 would be nice and if I can consitently break 80, 75 or better could happen.

[mdl]

Congrats! I had my best round ever last week too, after playing 4 times in a week and half, and hitting 100-150 balls all the rest of those days but the Sunday in there. It was an 81, with my best nine ever on the back. Eight pars with one double on 11, with two birdie putts lipped out to tap ins and one that stopped a half roll from going in!

Ironically, this was two days after I broke my driver. I hit my 3 wood 230-250, but the mishits end up at 200 with a second shot more often than not, while the mishits with the driver turn in to punch-outs or OB and hitting the provisional drive sitting 3. Course is 6,650 yds, and apparently I do better hitting 6i-8i on the good tee shots and 4i or 19* hybrib on worse tee shots than I do with PW-8i on the good tee shots and a 4i punch through the trees on the bad ones!

[wannabescratch]

Congrads! I'm close but I need to work on my putting before I do.

[schapman]

I just broke 100 for the first time today (started golfing this year after a 15 year layoff from golfing as a kid). Shot a 94 (50/44). Great feeling and now I'm looking forward to the 80s. I already know the shots I hit today that kept me on the topside of 90 so workng on those and I'm a happy camper.