Breaking 90 and 100 requires eliminating big mistakes and learning to keep the ball in play. Breaking 80 is different. The strokes that move you from the mid-80s to the 70s are much smaller—measured in fractions of a stroke, not blown holes.
Players in the low 80s already hit it well. According to Shooting range data from millions of rounds tracked, the separation between an 82 and a 78 does not come from miracle shots. It comes from tightening tee-shot dispersion, controlling trajectory from close to 100 yards, and turning long shots into stress-free putts.
Here are the three shots that statistically move golfers from the low 80s to the 70s.
Hit no. 1: The 250 yard shot that stays in play
Even at this level, tee shots remain the single biggest separator. Shooting range shows players trying to break 80 lose 1.4 strokes per round compared to players who have already scored in the 70s.
The main thing is to avoid trouble. Penalties, fumbles, blocked drives and unpredictable turnovers stall scoring faster than anything else. Golfers who consistently break 80 keep their shots in play and keep the clubface stable enough to eliminate two-way loss.
How to improve:
- Prioritize distribution first, distance second. A 250-yard drive that can play beats a 280-yard drive into the trees.
- Choose a starting line that matches your stroke form (even if it’s subtle).
- Track where your shots actually end up (left/right leanings) and adjust your targets accordingly.
Hit no. 2: 10–30 yard brute force shot inside 10 yards
Shooting range data shows that players trying to break 80 lose 0.4 strokes per round on shots 10-30 yards from the rough compared to players already shooting in the 70s.
That doesn’t sound like much, but over 18 holes, it adds up quickly. A player who consistently turns these shots into putts eliminates the bogeys that mid-80s golfers accept as “good.”
These shots are difficult because:
- Rough grabs the shaft and adds unpredictable lofts
- The contact is unstable
- Launch height varies more than players realize
How to improve:
- Read the lie before choosing the shot.
- Keep your wrists steady and rotate your body through the kick to avoid rolling over.
- Use a slightly open face to avoid digging in and create a predictable launch.
- Check your wedge channels and spin stability to make sure you have the right gear in play.
Shot #3: 20-40 foot putt that avoids the three shot
Players who hit the 70s don’t make many 40-footers. What they do extremely well is avoid three-putting from this range.
Shooting range shows players trying to break 80 on putts 20-40 feet compared to players already breaking 80.
How to improve:
- Focus on speed first, line second. Distance control is very important with these shots.
- Adjust your back length to your desired pace and keep it consistent.
Practical training:
Place an extension stick about three feet behind a hole. Hit shots from 20, 30 and 40 yards away and let them land in the space between the back of the cup and the putter (without going through).
Final thoughts
Breaking 80 requires refinement. You need a consistent swing, accurate short game control from the rough and late shots that eliminate the three putt. These aren’t glamorous shots, but they are what statistically separate a 78 from an 83.
Post The 3 shots you need to break 80 appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
