Stuck in the 80's

[Deryck Griffith]

If you have been stuck in the 80s for the amount of time that you say you are, then you are definitely in the short game improvement stage. In order to shoot in the low 80s, you have to be able to have average to slightly above average ball striking abilites which I will assume puts you in that category.

If this is the case, then you should put together a short game practice strategy that includes pitching in the 80-20 yard range, chipping around the green (improving your proximity to the hole on chips) and putting. A decent improvement in all three of these areas togehter, or, a massive improvement in just one (i.e. putting) will get guarantee to get you in the 70's.

[David in FL]

Course management was a huge part to me finally getting in the 70's. I stopped trying stupid shots and realized sometimes bogey was a good score. Sometimes after a bad shot, you just have to take your medicine and that took me forever to realize. When those double and triple bogeys start becoming bogeys, you would be amazed at how quick a score can drop. I started planning for my misses more and quit chasing sucker pins. I also committed to my wedge game and started making sure i was on or near the green everytime from 130 and in. Do that and you will be in the 70's.

+1. Get the big numbers off the card. Trade doubles, or heaven forbid a triple for bogeys and 82's turn into 79's in a hurry. For that matter, 79's turn into 75's the same way for some of us.....

[gasfreak]

you guys are saying just what I have been thinking for some time now,its just good to hear it from fellowgolfers and thats why I joined this forum.As for what handicap I want to get to I am not sure,If I could just get in the single digits I guess that would be about as far as I want to take it not sure I guess Ill know when it gets to be too much pressure.And about the better players so guys I play with are about the same as me but some are not very good and never want to be they are just in it for the fun I will always play with them but I do understand what you are saying but I will live with this part of it.

[gasfreak]

by the way I hardly ever have the doubles and triples,I just get on that bogey train sometimes and cant get off it........

[SpringBokVol]

Some tips to help you play in the 70's.

Pretty much this. What took me into the 70s was limiting the blow up hole and hitting greens in regulation. After that it was putting.

[vct33]

Many times the difference between the low-mid 80's and the 70's is getting up and down. I spend at least a couple hours per week hitting balls from 30 yards and in. I'll pick a spot and hit 10 balls and won't move to the next spot until I get 7 out of 10 up and down.

[David in FL]

by the way I hardly ever have the doubles and triples,I just get on that bogey train sometimes and cant get off it........

Then I'd look hard at ball striking and your short game......

If you're not throwing in some doubles and still can't get into the 70's then you're putting 10 or 12 bogeys on the card and unless you're the world's worst putter, you're missing too many greens and not getting up and down when you do.

[gasfreak]

david in florida I think you are right I am not a great putter but I leave to much green between me and the cup

[gasfreak]

What do you guys think about playing a par 3 at least once a week and hit 2 or 3 balls,I pass by one on my way home from work everyday and it is cheaper than my driving range does anyone else do this

[TourSpoon]

Getting into the 70s meant the following for me...

Eliminating doubles and triples
Course management/positive attitude
Getting up and down more often (short game)
1 or 2 birdies per round
Practicing those 3-6 footers till they are automatic (it doesn't matter if they are for bird, par, bog, or double, they all count the same in the end) to give you confidence
Read Golf is not a Game of Perfect

A good round for me would be 76, bad is 86. I can guarantee a 79 or less performance if I don't have worse than bogey and I make those 3-4 footers.

[golferjoey3]

In my opinion: hitting the ball better gets you into the 70s, and short game gets it into the low 70s. If you hit 10 or more greens in a round its pretty easy to break 80. So I would say work on your ballstriking to develop a consistent shot shape. Taking one side of the course out of play makes the game WAY easier. Especially for a mid handicapper.

[gasfreak]

well I took you guys advice to heart and really tried to manage the course better instead of just going at everthing.Man has it payed off my last two rounds have been in the 70's,I shot a 79 and today I shot a 76 granted the courses I play are not the hardest one in the world but pretty average.If I keep my head on straight and keep practicing and course management I should only get better,just wish I could play more...................................