There are many psychological barriers in sports. For example, many people thought the 4 minute mile would never be broken. For many golfers the big psychological wall to crash through is How to Break 80.
It cannot be overstated how big a difference there is between shooting 80 and 79. It's only one stroke but when you are trying to break 80 for the first time that one stroke is the size of the Pacific Ocean. It's just not the same as the difference between 85 and 84. No one grinds or gets butterflies over that putt on the last hole. So how do you break 80?
Research
First, make sure you know what it takes to break 80 in terms of golf statistics. To be very simple on a par 72 course you need to have 11 pars and 7 bogeys. So here's how that breaks out statistically speaking. You will likely hit 5-6 greens in regulation. You will need to make par or better on those holes. That means there are 12-13 holes where you miss the green in regulation. You will need to get up and down on 5 or six of those which means 5 or 6 one putt greens with no 3 putt greens. That means you are going have a total of 30-31 total putts at most. We haven't talked about driving but to hit 5-6 greens you will need to be in play on at least 7-9 holes off the tee.
So to summarize here are the stats to help you break 80:
Fairways Hit- 7-9
Greens in Regulation- 5-6
Putts- 30-31
Blow up Holes/Others- 0
It is important to understand what it takes so you can move on to the next phase of breaking 80.
Your Game Analysis
You need to chart your next 5-10 rounds of golf and be brutally honest. It's very easy to trick yourself into thinking you are better in a particular area of the game than you really are. So record every shot.
For driving record:
How many fairways you actually hit
How many times did you leave yourself no shot or a risky shot to the green?
How many times did you cost yourself penalty strokes
For irons record:
How many greens hit
How many miss short
How many miss long
How many miss right
How many miss left
Around the green record:
How many ups and downs
How many sand saves
How many chips result in a tap in?
How many missed greens
How many times you get down in 3 or 4
On the green:
How many one putts
How many three putts
There are software programs and scorecards out there that are designed for this and even more detailed tracking. They can be a great aid because they force you to record your actual shots.
You should analyze this data relative to the stats provided above to see where your game needs work to break 80. Start with the green stats and work back to the tee. Remember you need to be around 30 putts. If you are averaging 30 putts or better you can move on. If not, you need to start working on your putting. You may start to incorporate your stats from around the green. I know many people who blame their putting but actually they don't chip very well around the green. They never give themselves a tap in and they always leave a 10-12 foot putt. Even the pros only make 50% of those. So you have to chip closer than that once in a while to get your number of putts down and ultimately break 80.
From there move back down the fairway to your approach shots. Do you really hit enough greens in regulation to break 80? If not, where are your shots missing. Almost all amateur golfers have the tendency to leave every approach shot short. They pick the club they have to hit perfectly to get to the hole. Trust me on this; the pros don't play this way. The typically pick a club that will get them there comfortably. Try picking one more club than you usually play from a certain yardage. You don't have to tell anyone what club you hit. Remember after the round the only thing anyone wants to know is what you shot? Also, remember on approach shots there is always a good place to miss the green. If you do miss the green, playing to the safe side will make your chip shot easier which means fewer putts which means you guessed it, you break 80!
Last but not least comes driving. It's easy to get caught up in the macho aspects of driving. It's too bad that it's called driving. You should probably think of it as placing the ball instead of driving the ball. Off the tee all you want to do is place the ball somewhere where you can have a reasonable shot to the green. It doesn't have to be your longest drive ever, but the easiest way to break 80 is to put the ball in play on every hole. This really takes stress off of the rest of your game. Think about it, if you have a good shot at the green after your drive on every hole you are going to hit more greens. You also have eliminated the blow up hole because those tend to come from a wildly errant tee shot.
Psychology
Focus on scoring. That is the part of the game you want to grind on. As stated above, try and take pressure off of the first part of the hole and really focus as you get closer to the hole. In other words, grind it out around the greens and take it easy from tee to green. All you have to do is get there in reasonable fashion.
Finally, not to be Zen about it but let go. Don't try to hard. It really ties up your full swing. Relax and have fun. Focus on the positive.
In hindsight this article should be called how to shoot in the 70's not how to break 80. How to break 80 is the negative way to express the score you're trying to get. So stop worrying about how to break 80 and start shooting in the 70's. To get started Click Here!
How to Fix A Slice
The slice is the bane of golfers. Somewhere on a golf course right now someone is shouting “Fore!” and pointing off to the right. If you are chuckling to yourself right now it’s because you know its true and you probably slice a little yourself.
But there is a simple fix for your slice.
First, let’s define a slice. (All directional references are assuming that you are a right handed golfer.) A slice is nothing more than a shot where the ball curves to the right more than you want it too. Notice I did not say the ball curves 10, 20 or even 30 yards to the right. Only you can determine if a particular shot is a slice or not.
That’s because in reality a slice is subjective. Corey Pavin might carve the ball around a dogleg whereas you or I slice the ball out there. You see, one man’s slice is another man’s fade. It all depends on how you see it.
So there are two factors that determine a slice:
The ball curves in the air traveling to the right and
You decide that is has curved more to the right than you would like
There is a lot of golf literature and instruction about the slice. Most of it is gets somewhat complicated because the instruction tries to address two variables as if they are unrelated. The two variables are face angle and swing path. In fact, the slice should be expressed as one concept. Simply stated the concept is that the clubface is open relative to the swing path.
It is a simple matter of physics. There is no other explanation or reason for a slice. The clubface is open relative to whatever path the club is swinging on.
In order to fix your slice you must get the face square to the path you are swinging on. It really is that simple. So, “why is a slice so hard to fix?” you ask.
The reason is that golf is frequently a game of opposites. You’ve probably heard the expression swing easy, hit hard. It’s counter intuitive but you know it works. The same thing is true with a slice.
If you really want to fix your slice you need to start doing some things differently.
If you slice you probably do one or more of the following:
Aim to the left
Take the club back outside
Strike the ball with an open clubface
Now you need to start doing the opposite. So start
Aiming to the right
Take the club back inside
Strike the ball with a closed clubface
This will undoubtedly feel awkward and strange. But remember the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. If you really want to fix your slice today try at least one of the tips above. I recommend that you start with your alignment and get yourself more square or closed to the target.
Go to the practice range and get straightened out there before you take it to the course.
See you in the fairway!
If you want to get more detail on how to fix your slice Click Here!
But there is a simple fix for your slice.
First, let’s define a slice. (All directional references are assuming that you are a right handed golfer.) A slice is nothing more than a shot where the ball curves to the right more than you want it too. Notice I did not say the ball curves 10, 20 or even 30 yards to the right. Only you can determine if a particular shot is a slice or not.
That’s because in reality a slice is subjective. Corey Pavin might carve the ball around a dogleg whereas you or I slice the ball out there. You see, one man’s slice is another man’s fade. It all depends on how you see it.
So there are two factors that determine a slice:
The ball curves in the air traveling to the right and
You decide that is has curved more to the right than you would like
There is a lot of golf literature and instruction about the slice. Most of it is gets somewhat complicated because the instruction tries to address two variables as if they are unrelated. The two variables are face angle and swing path. In fact, the slice should be expressed as one concept. Simply stated the concept is that the clubface is open relative to the swing path.
It is a simple matter of physics. There is no other explanation or reason for a slice. The clubface is open relative to whatever path the club is swinging on.
In order to fix your slice you must get the face square to the path you are swinging on. It really is that simple. So, “why is a slice so hard to fix?” you ask.
The reason is that golf is frequently a game of opposites. You’ve probably heard the expression swing easy, hit hard. It’s counter intuitive but you know it works. The same thing is true with a slice.
If you really want to fix your slice you need to start doing some things differently.
If you slice you probably do one or more of the following:
Aim to the left
Take the club back outside
Strike the ball with an open clubface
Now you need to start doing the opposite. So start
Aiming to the right
Take the club back inside
Strike the ball with a closed clubface
This will undoubtedly feel awkward and strange. But remember the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. If you really want to fix your slice today try at least one of the tips above. I recommend that you start with your alignment and get yourself more square or closed to the target.
Go to the practice range and get straightened out there before you take it to the course.
See you in the fairway!
If you want to get more detail on how to fix your slice Click Here!
Golf Fitness
The expression golf fitness used to be an oxymoron. Golf was an activity where you didn't need to be in shape to play. However, it is clear that to play your best you should have some type of physical conditioning.
Just look at today's top players vs. those of 20 or even 10 years ago. Clearly, getting fit for golf is a part of their regimen. Most likely the average golfer is not going to put himself through the extensive exercises that touring professionals go through. After all the pros are striving to make a living and must strive to be at their absolute best every week.
However, there is one aspect of conditioning that every golfer should consider. That is stretching. Stretching will not only help you play some of your best golf, it will also let you play golf into your later years. Stretching will also help you stay injury free. Golfers are not immune to injuries, particularly back problems and certain types of tendinitis. These can all be prevented with a good stretching routine.
At its simplest, stretching is nothing more that straightening the structure of your limbs or body to their fullest length. Since stretching does not require great physical exertion it can be done well by everyone regardless of your age or body type.
However age and body type may initially limit the extent of your stretching. As you grow older your muscles tighten and your range of motion becomes more limited. So if you want to get in shape for golf, stretching regularly is very important. Don't just wait until you get to the first tee and try to get loose.
Ideally, you should do simple stretches every day and it won't take much time. . Experts agree that 10 minutes is an ideal length of time for stretching if you are getting ready for an activity like golf. Any more than this and you risk wearing out your elasticity before your round.
Everyone can improve through stretching. When you stretch on a regular basis your range of motion will improve as the length of your muscles and tendons increase. So the next time you take a lesson and the pro tells you to turn your hips 45 degrees and your shoulders 90 degrees you won't just have to laugh at him. You'll be on your way to getting into those classic golf positions.
If you want to learn more about Golf Fitness go to http://www.golffitnesstheguide.com/.
Just look at today's top players vs. those of 20 or even 10 years ago. Clearly, getting fit for golf is a part of their regimen. Most likely the average golfer is not going to put himself through the extensive exercises that touring professionals go through. After all the pros are striving to make a living and must strive to be at their absolute best every week.
However, there is one aspect of conditioning that every golfer should consider. That is stretching. Stretching will not only help you play some of your best golf, it will also let you play golf into your later years. Stretching will also help you stay injury free. Golfers are not immune to injuries, particularly back problems and certain types of tendinitis. These can all be prevented with a good stretching routine.
At its simplest, stretching is nothing more that straightening the structure of your limbs or body to their fullest length. Since stretching does not require great physical exertion it can be done well by everyone regardless of your age or body type.
However age and body type may initially limit the extent of your stretching. As you grow older your muscles tighten and your range of motion becomes more limited. So if you want to get in shape for golf, stretching regularly is very important. Don't just wait until you get to the first tee and try to get loose.
Ideally, you should do simple stretches every day and it won't take much time. . Experts agree that 10 minutes is an ideal length of time for stretching if you are getting ready for an activity like golf. Any more than this and you risk wearing out your elasticity before your round.
Everyone can improve through stretching. When you stretch on a regular basis your range of motion will improve as the length of your muscles and tendons increase. So the next time you take a lesson and the pro tells you to turn your hips 45 degrees and your shoulders 90 degrees you won't just have to laugh at him. You'll be on your way to getting into those classic golf positions.
If you want to learn more about Golf Fitness go to http://www.golffitnesstheguide.com/.
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