I have worked hard on my game and I’m happy with my progress. Where I struggle is trying to keep that goal of breaking 80 out of my head on the backside. Numerous times I have shot 34-38 on the front and then get caught focusing on scoring on the back and I lose my groove. Your tips will help me focus on trusting the process and ignoring the result until the round is over. Thank you for sharing these on course discussions!
This was very informative. I am a 56 yr old player, took up the game 6 years ago. On a mission to break 80 this year. I took lessons this spring, helpful on my consistency. But the focus on GIR and getting to 6' for up and down is going to be my key. Shot 83 yesterday with five 3 putts and an OB. Using this info will get me there. Thanks Mark.
Mark is right about practice putting. The putting/chipping area at my practice facility is the only area that isn't crowded with people and usually empty lol.
Good for you, Spencer! One thing I try to do that Mark didn't mention... On the putting green before the round, start with one foot putts, then three, then 6, from both directions, and some side-hill. Don't start with lag putting, wastes your time, doesn't inform you. If I can get the speed of a six foot putt in my thick head, I should be able to lag from 30 or 40 feet, at least decently prevent a 3 putt or two, and I might just be able to find a high side-hill breaker to find the middle from 10 or 15 feet. That's 2, 3, 4 strokes a round for the good guys
Mark love these tips. Here is my problem...73 yrs old, shot my age or better 7 x in last two years BUT have yet to break 70. Need help to break 70 before I die!
I love this video Mark, great insight into what it takes to break 80. Unlike to many other videos out there which can be a load of BS and uploaded for views, this was refreshingly informative. Thanks for the effort. It's good to see a realistic course guide for once! 👍
68 is my best, but a long time ago before kids! I’m just now coming back to golf after 6 years off and your videos whilst very entertaining with great vlogs with the boys are also chockas with great tips and help like this one. Love your work Mr Crossfield.
Best score 69, not been playing as much, joined a new course and now trying to break 80 in a comp (had 80 last week). Already focusing on my short game but this gives me a laser focus. Top video - so good I’m watching it again!!!
Great lesson on course management as it relates to breaking 80, something I've yet to do. I would surmise that if golfers would take to heart what you are teaching, many more would be in the 70's regularly. Really like the focus on the 200 yd approach (even if you can hit it that far). Also the three putt discussion is key! Best score to day is 84 - goal for 2022, break 80.
Watched this video last night and took these ideas to the course with me today. Previous best score was 80 (twice). Today; score 79 (+8 to par), 69% fairways hit, 39% GIR, 1.67 putts per hole (30 overall), one 3 putt, par 5 average score - 8 (tree trouble). Biggest part from the video was recovery from 50 yards and in. Got up and down for par on 6 occasions which helped my score. Definitely still room for improvement but to break 80 for the first time on a par 71 course I’m more than thrilled to say the least! Thanks for the content 😃
Great stuff. You’re 100% correct with the putting. It’s the easiest way to drop scores. When I practice; even just spending 5-10 minutes on practice green before a round; makes a huge difference.
I'm in a similar situation, a little on a sore back, a little on no time, I'm not as good as someone else, what I could be, what I once was. Gosh, factor that in: you would be better if you had the youth or health or time to practice. So what? Enjoy every round, have a first reason why you play,. If your first goal is to have fun, fresh air, a walk in the grass on a beautiful park land, some exercise, and your second goal is to "score like a pro", you are WAY better than the "pro" who suffers mightily from every slight miss-hit.
Thought for sure that you were going to break out Lou's construction grade measuring device to get your distance to the pin within 1/16" Thanks for the video.
Brilliant Mark I'm trying to break 90 your so right I usually drop just short of the greens but started practicing getting closer to the pin and concentrating on dropping 3 putting and it's working...thanks again keep up the good work..
Thanks Mark. Great things to work on. I Go to the range and walk out to the end where there is some unmown areas. Working on shots out of rough have helped build confidence in going for 5’s in 2.
Interesting point about the lies in rough and catching a flier. my assumption in the rough is I need more club not less. I shoot mid 80s a lot, best of 84, and 170 in I am ok, 6i or less basically, so these tips will def help know what to work on
76 is my best gross score which I was over the moon with as it was on the Championship course, Carnoustie, unfortunately not done anything near that since. There are some great practice tips here, thanks Mark.
I returned to golf this year after 11 years and loving it. My aim is to break 80 by the end of the year. Took a bogey on the last of a par 72 for 80 a few days ago :( . My main takeaways from the round: 1) Avoid double bogeys. I find that all of my double bogeys stem from a poor tee shot. 2) Practice that shot from 5-10 yards from around the green. I was 3+ on the front nine and all three bogeys were from not being able to get up and down from this distance 3) Confidence out of bunkers - The one shot I used to fear the most but have spent a lot more time in the practice area on. 4) Need a mentality shift on holes that I normally and unintentionally slice/hook the ball on. 5) I hit some really dialled in shots with my wedges. These are thoughts that I want to bring with me into the next round
Hey Mark, just wanted to thank you for all the videos. I’ve been playing for 12 months now and watch your videos regularly. Had my best round ever this morning (83) with my new P770’s which I tested after watching your videos on them. Hoping to break 80 this year although would still be super happy if I can constantly shoot 85 or under 👍🏻
I'd like to get to breaking 80, but happy to break 90 consistently. A few of the tips that you mentioned are great if you're familiar with the course, but playing a course for the first time can be another challenge in itself. Thanks mate.
Watched your video with Ray on long putts recently and it’s massively helping me on the green and hopefully will reduce 3 putts long term. It’s the 50yds and in I need to improve!
Good video and reinforces what I have been working on. I started back to golf after a 15 year break that had an annual bounce game. Been working hard with a garmin r10 and awesome golf setup and at our clubs chipping green. Everything clicked in the last few weeks and have dropped 5 shots in 7 rounds. Hitting fairway, greens in reg then two puts, chipping to inside 6ft from those missed greens and one put, is my strategy and working for me. Put a lot of time into chipping, a lot! and the work is paying off shooting mid to low 70's 81/82 is a bad round for me now.
This is a great video, i have been working hard on short game practice this season and have been working on putting speed for 3 weeks now to get rid of 3 putts. its amazing how quickly your putting speed and feel improves with just 10 mins putting practice about 3 times a week. loved the different lie ball from the same distance, something i have not paid enough attention to, so for the next 2 weeks i am going to throw down a second ball in the opposite lie and hit them to see the difference. Thanks Mark really great ideas there love this type of video keep up the great work.
My best score is 75 (+4). I’d like to consistently be at an 80 and break 80 more often. I appreciate the strategies you suggested. I hope to improve my 50 and in game over the next year.
Great video Mark. It's the simple things that we sometimes forget about like trying not to three putt. My best score ever was 65 (-7) but that was when I was young and playing all the time. Just chuffed to break 80 these days.
nice tips. best is a 82 twice. i'm 53 yrs old only play at most dozen times a year. 80 or better is my goal for this year. lots of skytrak pratice this year so far. have learned to hit a draw. 80 will happen for me as long as my health holds. best wishes to all player out there. practice practice practice.
Awesome vid thanks. I do think some of these ideas. However I think I lose focus and don’t do all the time. Or let a previous bad shot throw my thinking out. Deffo the bad shot thing is something I need to figure out how to mentally delete.
Great video. Will be taking this to the practice ground today. Biggest thing I noticed when I started playing competition golf is that no one holes any putts. Above 4ft nothing gets holed
Golf is a thinking game...and I golf to forget about things! I'll need to find a way to reconcile that. Getting in to the low 80's regularly now though but I agree on the putting and around the greens. When that part of my game is working the scores really come down.
Love these types of videos. I just added dedicated putting/chipping practice sessions at the beginning of this year and I have reduced my 3-putting drastically. In my last tournament I only had one 3-putt. Great content.
Short game stuff was eye opening I didn't expect that to be such a big part. Tee shots and 2nd shots into par 5s are very key. 3 putting is something that ruins my scorecard quite often so I can very much relate.
Enjoyed this, I'm shooting around 80 pretty consistently on a pretty tough course, lowest is 77 (had a 74 on winter tees but feels like it has a major asterisk). One of your other videos talk about freeing up on long putts to make sure you can get it there and that's helped me a lot. Goal is 5 handicap, down to 7.9 currently which is my all time low so far. Don't feel like I've got the time to give to get to scratch at the moment but if I could get to and hold something around 5 hopefully if I have more time in the coming years I could try to go for scratch!
Good coaching. Breaking 80 has been a challenge lately. I've done it three times in 2021. Of my past 20 rounds, half are 82 or better and broke 80 once with a 76. The goal is to have my 8 counted rounds in the 70s and get down to a 5. Currently par or better 52%, hit 50% of the fairways, 52% GIR, and 36 putts. I play on big, fast, and severely sloped green complexes. Putting and short game is a challenge but putting needs to be 34 or better. My best rounds are multiple 75s on multiple courses. The goal is to beat that this year with 74 or better.
Yes yes yes and more yes.....keep this series up, I'm always around 80 but would love your insights on breaking 90 as well, and nothing would be as funny as a break 75 or break par from you and coach
Great Vid. I am a 2 HCP. I always thought that I was a bad putter and wild driver till I started keeping some basic stats (Fairway hit, GIR, number of putts, Up and downs). Did it for 20 rounds and realized that I am actually really good driver off the tee (Fairways hit just under 75%,) and great putter/short game as I rarely 3 putt and get up and down 70% of time. But I hit only 18% greens. Been working on my irons with focus on improving that stat. Have started to see results too. When I hit about 50% GIR, I shoot even par or better! I don't keep shotlink style stats as that would slow down the pace of play. I have started to keep track of my misses too. Again very simple that I can do as I walk off the hole or in between shots without slowing the pace down. It has really helped me over last year or so clean up some of my own myths and identify areas of improvement.
I want to break 80. My best score is 82 on a pretty hard track and it included an 8 on a par 5. The longer end of the bag holds me back, 175 to 125 is reasonable, 125 in I'm pretty happy with. I can't reach par 5s and struggle to reach long par 4s.
I was 7 hcap, now 12 after 10+ years away from the game and trying to get back to breaking 80. As you noted above, the reason you didn't break 80 wasn't lack of birdies - it was a triple on a hole that should have been a solid par. So is it really the long end of the bag holding you back or is it course management? imho the key on Par 5s isn't reaching in 2 (Mark's stats said average is 5.5 so to break 80, you're trying to make 5, not 4). 220+ yard approaches are full of risk and bring the occasional double or triple into play. Take the 170 approach shot and layup in a good position where you take the trouble out of play (e.g. front bunkers) and leave an easy chip or pitch - so the focus is on that
Great tips Mark! I shot my lowest round last year, which was an 80, so I’m looking to break 80 this year. I’ve been trying not to have any 3-putts, but last time out I had three 3-putt holes. The unfortunate thing is that 2 of those second putts were within 3 feet, and there should be no excuse for missing a putt that close.
Set myself a couple of objectives this season. Breaking 80 on our championship course is one of them. Long term objective is single figure handicap. I have Shotscope and am focusing on approaches as this is where SG shows I’m losing the most shots. Focusing on clubbing up as statistically most come up short. Trying to be confident in taking that extra club. #feelingpositive
I am playing consistently in 82-85 range and make at least 2-3 3 putts which if I can reduce to zero, I can break 80. I am practicing on slow greens on my home course but other courses greens are much faster and it becomes difficult to control speed.
Lowest score 75 (twice), ambition is level par before I turn 50 so I have seven seasons to go ⛳️ Thanks Mark - followed you since I started playing in 2015.
My low is 74 and that was 6 years ago. Shot 80 twice this year. So far have played 23 holes w/ out a 3 putt most this year is 46. 30% GIR and 59% FIR. Need to get the GIR up. Also need to get in better shape at 66 years old.
Hi Mark from Austin Texas. I have been watching your videos for years and these playing instruction videos are top of the line production with quality information. My PB is 88 from forward tees and I've broken 90 4 times though none in over a year. I would like to see the breaking 90 version of this video. I average 34 putts a round (Shot Scope V3 and Game Golf data over 2 years). I play white tees (around 6400 yds) because I don't hit long. However, I've been striking the ball well of late and if I can find out how to avoid the blow-up holes, (trips or worse) I'll start breaking 90 regularly. (A anti-blow-up-hole video would be cool!) Thanks for your awesome golf video content!
I want to break 75 (again) Broke 75 last year and have come close on a few occasions. Great video Mark and completely agree with the putting being the easiest thing to practice. That definitely helps me to shoot my lowest scores when I am playing well. 👍🏾
I play with a lot of really low handicap golfers the biggest thing I see is their ability to get up and down and no big scores on their card also agree with Mark they are all great putters I play off 8 and see this as my way to consistently break 80
I'm currently trying to break 90. However, all of these tips can be applied to help me get better. Thank you for these videos. I do have one question, when hitting out of the rough do I club up, down, or does it depend on the situation? Thanks Mark, cheers.
Got down to mid 80’s a couple of years ago but injury and work has meant I haven’t played much.. back scoring in high 90’s so looking to get back below 90 and maybe get to eighty..
Around the green is where I struggle and need to improve. That 6ft rule is definitely something I will start to go by as a base! Thanks Mark! Edit: Average score is 81-83
Great points to practice at the range and the club. Yes a break 90 would be great too Mark. Had a 78 once, never been close again. Current average in the 90's. Must do better on the report card I'm afraid.
I have worked hard on my game and I’m happy with my progress. Where I struggle is trying to keep that goal of breaking 80 out of my head on the backside. Numerous times I have shot 34-38 on the front and then get caught focusing on scoring on the back and I lose my groove. Your tips will help me focus on trusting the process and ignoring the result until the round is over. Thank you for sharing these on course discussions!
This was very informative. I am a 56 yr old player, took up the game 6 years ago. On a mission to break 80 this year. I took lessons this spring, helpful on my consistency. But the focus on GIR and getting to 6' for up and down is going to be my key. Shot 83 yesterday with five 3 putts and an OB. Using this info will get me there. Thanks Mark.
Mark is right about practice putting. The putting/chipping area at my practice facility is the only area that isn't crowded with people and usually empty lol.
The ability to consistently hole putts within the 4-6 foot range has dropped my scores more than anything else I’ve worked on in the past year
Good for you, Spencer! One thing I try to do that Mark didn't mention... On the putting green before the round, start with one foot putts, then three, then 6, from both directions, and some side-hill. Don't start with lag putting, wastes your time, doesn't inform you. If I can get the speed of a six foot putt in my thick head, I should be able to lag from 30 or 40 feet, at least decently prevent a 3 putt or two, and I might just be able to find a high side-hill breaker to find the middle from 10 or 15 feet. That's 2, 3, 4 strokes a round for the good guys
Very timely, this is my goal for 2021. Great tips!
Mark love these tips. Here is my problem...73 yrs old, shot my age or better 7 x in last two years BUT have yet to break 70. Need help to break 70 before I die!
I love how you lay it out Mark. It's not just the data, but how you use that data. Definitely very helpful!
I love this video Mark, great insight into what it takes to break 80. Unlike to many other videos out there which can be a load of BS and uploaded for views, this was refreshingly informative. Thanks for the effort. It's good to see a realistic course guide for once! 👍
Couldn’t agree more. So much bad info around these subjects. Sad really.
My lowest score is a 65 and the big goal I have this year is qualifying for the U.S. Amateur. Seems far fetched but I’m going to give it a go!
Good luck 👍
Yes, good luck! That would awesome
Speaking for myself … managing the course and MYSELF are the key to better scoring. This video is spot-on. Thanks for sharing this.
68 is my best, but a long time ago before kids! I’m just now coming back to golf after 6 years off and your videos whilst very entertaining with great vlogs with the boys are also chockas with great tips and help like this one. Love your work Mr Crossfield.
I like to get my chips upto and past the pin. Gives me a read for a putt back and gives it a chance to go in!
I like it when the chip goes on the correct green.
Best score 69, not been playing as much, joined a new course and now trying to break 80 in a comp (had 80 last week). Already focusing on my short game but this gives me a laser focus. Top video - so good I’m watching it again!!!
Great lesson on course management as it relates to breaking 80, something I've yet to do. I would surmise that if golfers would take to heart what you are teaching, many more would be in the 70's regularly. Really like the focus on the 200 yd approach (even if you can hit it that far). Also the three putt discussion is key! Best score to day is 84 - goal for 2022, break 80.
PB: +6
Goal: break par at least once.
My problem is the mental side. My brain tends to shut off for a few holes that turn out to be blow up holes
Yeah, brother. ADD and LOT (lack of talent) is the only reason I don't have a sponsorship. Meh. Every day playing golf is a gift from God.
Amazingly, I broken 80 yesterday for the first time in 5 years. It was beautiful
Well done mate, thought l was on to it yesterday aswel, 81 few bad holes on the back 9
All makes sense! I’m currently averaging just over 80 and WILL get consistently under this year.
These are my favorite videos!! I really appreciate the course management with statistics to back it up!!
Watched this video last night and took these ideas to the course with me today. Previous best score was 80 (twice).
Today; score 79 (+8 to par), 69% fairways hit, 39% GIR, 1.67 putts per hole (30 overall), one 3 putt, par 5 average score - 8 (tree trouble). Biggest part from the video was recovery from 50 yards and in. Got up and down for par on 6 occasions which helped my score. Definitely still room for improvement but to break 80 for the first time on a par 71 course I’m more than thrilled to say the least! Thanks for the content 😃
Great stuff. You’re 100% correct with the putting. It’s the easiest way to drop scores. When I practice; even just spending 5-10 minutes on practice green before a round; makes a huge difference.
A very good vid.
This is what you do best, Mark.
Praise where praise is due.
These are all nice. I try to do these every time out. It's execution that's the problem. It's difficult to practice with a bad back.
I'm in a similar situation, a little on a sore back, a little on no time, I'm not as good as someone else, what I could be, what I once was. Gosh, factor that in: you would be better if you had the youth or health or time to practice. So what? Enjoy every round, have a first reason why you play,. If your first goal is to have fun, fresh air, a walk in the grass on a beautiful park land, some exercise, and your second goal is to "score like a pro", you are WAY better than the "pro" who suffers mightily from every slight miss-hit.
Thought for sure that you were going to break out Lou's construction grade measuring device to get your distance to the pin within 1/16" Thanks for the video.
Mark really like these videos and your clear teaching and down to earth approach 👍
Brilliant Mark I'm trying to break 90 your so right I usually drop just short of the greens but started practicing getting closer to the pin and concentrating on dropping 3 putting and it's working...thanks again keep up the good work..
Good stuff here Mark. Everything you share here is true. I've some work to do. My best is 77 on a par 70 course.
Great points to shoot for! Score is always better when I hit more greens in regulation.
Thanks Mark. Great things to work on. I Go to the range and walk out to the end where there is some unmown areas. Working on shots out of rough have helped build confidence in going for 5’s in 2.
Interesting point about the lies in rough and catching a flier. my assumption in the rough is I need more club not less. I shoot mid 80s a lot, best of 84, and 170 in I am ok, 6i or less basically, so these tips will def help know what to work on
Thanks Mark. I'll try to put those tips in practice this weekend.
76 is my best gross score which I was over the moon with as it was on the Championship course, Carnoustie, unfortunately not done anything near that since. There are some great practice tips here, thanks Mark.
I returned to golf this year after 11 years and loving it.
My aim is to break 80 by the end of the year. Took a bogey on the last of a par 72 for 80 a few days ago :( .
My main takeaways from the round:
1) Avoid double bogeys. I find that all of my double bogeys stem from a poor tee shot.
2) Practice that shot from 5-10 yards from around the green. I was 3+ on the front nine and all three bogeys were from not being able to get up and down from this distance
3) Confidence out of bunkers - The one shot I used to fear the most but have spent a lot more time in the practice area on.
4) Need a mentality shift on holes that I normally and unintentionally slice/hook the ball on.
5) I hit some really dialled in shots with my wedges. These are thoughts that I want to bring with me into the next round
Great video mark. Much appreciated
hope it helps bruh
So much sense.
Nice one Mark
Absolutely brilliant!! We need to be told these truths more. Thanks.
Good video Mark. Thanks for the content. The lag putting tip you gave Rory and shared with ua the other week has really helped me
Hey Mark, just wanted to thank you for all the videos. I’ve been playing for 12 months now and watch your videos regularly.
Had my best round ever this morning (83) with my new P770’s which I tested after watching your videos on them.
Hoping to break 80 this year although would still be super happy if I can constantly shoot 85 or under 👍🏻
Absolutely spot on with the video Mark. Just the one I needed as I am trying to break 80 before I leave Okinawa.
I'd like to get to breaking 80, but happy to break 90 consistently. A few of the tips that you mentioned are great if you're familiar with the course, but playing a course for the first time can be another challenge in itself. Thanks mate.
Watched your video with Ray on long putts recently and it’s massively helping me on the green and hopefully will reduce 3 putts long term. It’s the 50yds and in I need to improve!
Good video and reinforces what I have been working on. I started back to golf after a 15 year break that had an annual bounce game. Been working hard with a garmin r10 and awesome golf setup and at our clubs chipping green. Everything clicked in the last few weeks and have dropped 5 shots in 7 rounds. Hitting fairway, greens in reg then two puts, chipping to inside 6ft from those missed greens and one put, is my strategy and working for me. Put a lot of time into chipping, a lot! and the work is paying off shooting mid to low 70's 81/82 is a bad round for me now.
shot scope says im losing my most shots in 150-200 yard approaches so really going to start working on that
Great video Mark, love your channel.
Excellent advice, Mark! Thanks for the video.
Lowest in comp score is 83, had a few below 85 but not broke 80 yet! Great tips and reminders. Thanks once again!
My new aim for the season is to go below 80! I recently broke 90 then quickly got into low 80s so these tips will really help!
This is a great video, i have been working hard on short game practice this season and have been working on putting speed for 3 weeks now to get rid of 3 putts. its amazing how quickly your putting speed and feel improves with just 10 mins putting practice about 3 times a week. loved the different lie ball from the same distance, something i have not paid enough attention to, so for the next 2 weeks i am going to throw down a second ball in the opposite lie and hit them to see the difference. Thanks Mark really great ideas there love this type of video keep up the great work.
My best score is 75 (+4). I’d like to consistently be at an 80 and break 80 more often. I appreciate the strategies you suggested. I hope to improve my 50 and in game over the next year.
Great stuff again Mark. Simple but keys ideas
Good job on this Mark, thanks.
Great video Mark. It's the simple things that we sometimes forget about like trying not to three putt. My best score ever was 65 (-7) but that was when I was young and playing all the time. Just chuffed to break 80 these days.
nice tips. best is a 82 twice. i'm 53 yrs old only play at most dozen times a year. 80 or better is my goal for this year. lots of skytrak pratice this year so far. have learned to hit a draw. 80 will happen for me as long as my health holds. best wishes to all player out there. practice practice practice.
Such an interesting idea the par 5 and inside 50 yards are things I would never think about
Awesome vid thanks. I do think some of these ideas. However I think I lose focus and don’t do all the time. Or let a previous bad shot throw my thinking out. Deffo the bad shot thing is something I need to figure out how to mentally delete.
Loved that video Mark, all the advice I've ever asked you for ..... 😬
Nice one Mark. Total sense
Sensational work Mark! The course craft tips and managing expectations make this one of your best yet!
84 this year. Working to break the magic 80. Need to get longer off the tee and reduce the dreaded 3 putts.
Best score 78, twice. The rest are mid to low 80’s.
Good work thanks Mark.
Awesome video Mark... Love the stats!
Great content, tips with data to support it very useful
Great video. Will be taking this to the practice ground today.
Biggest thing I noticed when I started playing competition golf is that no one holes any putts. Above 4ft nothing gets holed
Breaking 90 would be great. Wonderful nuggets in both these "Break ##" videos
Golf is a thinking game...and I golf to forget about things! I'll need to find a way to reconcile that. Getting in to the low 80's regularly now though but I agree on the putting and around the greens. When that part of my game is working the scores really come down.
Love these types of videos. I just added dedicated putting/chipping practice sessions at the beginning of this year and I have reduced my 3-putting drastically. In my last tournament I only had one 3-putt. Great content.
77 is my personal best! I'm absolutely grinding to break 75!!!!!!!
Short game stuff was eye opening I didn't expect that to be such a big part. Tee shots and 2nd shots into par 5s are very key. 3 putting is something that ruins my scorecard quite often so I can very much relate.
Enjoyed this, I'm shooting around 80 pretty consistently on a pretty tough course, lowest is 77 (had a 74 on winter tees but feels like it has a major asterisk). One of your other videos talk about freeing up on long putts to make sure you can get it there and that's helped me a lot.
Goal is 5 handicap, down to 7.9 currently which is my all time low so far. Don't feel like I've got the time to give to get to scratch at the moment but if I could get to and hold something around 5 hopefully if I have more time in the coming years I could try to go for scratch!
Good coaching. Breaking 80 has been a challenge lately. I've done it three times in 2021. Of my past 20 rounds, half are 82 or better and broke 80 once with a 76. The goal is to have my 8 counted rounds in the 70s and get down to a 5. Currently par or better 52%, hit 50% of the fairways, 52% GIR, and 36 putts. I play on big, fast, and severely sloped green complexes. Putting and short game is a challenge but putting needs to be 34 or better. My best rounds are multiple 75s on multiple courses. The goal is to beat that this year with 74 or better.
Yes yes yes and more yes.....keep this series up, I'm always around 80 but would love your insights on breaking 90 as well, and nothing would be as funny as a break 75 or break par from you and coach
Great Vid. I am a 2 HCP. I always thought that I was a bad putter and wild driver till I started keeping some basic stats (Fairway hit, GIR, number of putts, Up and downs). Did it for 20 rounds and realized that I am actually really good driver off the tee (Fairways hit just under 75%,) and great putter/short game as I rarely 3 putt and get up and down 70% of time. But I hit only 18% greens. Been working on my irons with focus on improving that stat. Have started to see results too. When I hit about 50% GIR, I shoot even par or better! I don't keep shotlink style stats as that would slow down the pace of play. I have started to keep track of my misses too. Again very simple that I can do as I walk off the hole or in between shots without slowing the pace down. It has really helped me over last year or so clean up some of my own myths and identify areas of improvement.
Definitely would like your thoughts on breaking 90. I seem to be stuck around 95 at the moment. These videos have been great!
I want to break 80. My best score is 82 on a pretty hard track and it included an 8 on a par 5. The longer end of the bag holds me back, 175 to 125 is reasonable, 125 in I'm pretty happy with. I can't reach par 5s and struggle to reach long par 4s.
Same here
I was 7 hcap, now 12 after 10+ years away from the game and trying to get back to breaking 80. As you noted above, the reason you didn't break 80 wasn't lack of birdies - it was a triple on a hole that should have been a solid par. So is it really the long end of the bag holding you back or is it course management? imho the key on Par 5s isn't reaching in 2 (Mark's stats said average is 5.5 so to break 80, you're trying to make 5, not 4). 220+ yard approaches are full of risk and bring the occasional double or triple into play. Take the 170 approach shot and layup in a good position where you take the trouble out of play (e.g. front bunkers) and leave an easy chip or pitch - so the focus is on that
Great tips Mark! I shot my lowest round last year, which was an 80, so I’m looking to break 80 this year. I’ve been trying not to have any 3-putts, but last time out I had three 3-putt holes. The unfortunate thing is that 2 of those second putts were within 3 feet, and there should be no excuse for missing a putt that close.
Set myself a couple of objectives this season. Breaking 80 on our championship course is one of them. Long term objective is single figure handicap.
I have Shotscope and am focusing on approaches as this is where SG shows I’m losing the most shots. Focusing on clubbing up as statistically most come up short. Trying to be confident in taking that extra club. #feelingpositive
Practice a lot and play a lot!
I am playing consistently in 82-85 range and make at least 2-3 3 putts which if I can reduce to zero, I can break 80. I am practicing on slow greens on my home course but other courses greens are much faster and it becomes difficult to control speed.
Brilliant video with some great ideas. Love all these ideas, want to go and practise now!
Lowest score 75 (twice), ambition is level par before I turn 50 so I have seven seasons to go ⛳️ Thanks Mark - followed you since I started playing in 2015.
My low is 74 and that was 6 years ago. Shot 80 twice this year. So far have played 23 holes w/ out a 3 putt most this year is 46. 30% GIR and 59% FIR. Need to get the GIR up. Also need to get in better shape at 66 years old.
Love the tips Mark, thanks. My focus this year is the par save from just off the green so will practice.
thanks very much Mark, break 90 would be sincerely appreciated
Hi Mark from Austin Texas. I have been watching your videos for years and these playing instruction videos are top of the line production with quality information. My PB is 88 from forward tees and I've broken 90 4 times though none in over a year. I would like to see the breaking 90 version of this video. I average 34 putts a round (Shot Scope V3 and Game Golf data over 2 years). I play white tees (around 6400 yds) because I don't hit long. However, I've been striking the ball well of late and if I can find out how to avoid the blow-up holes, (trips or worse) I'll start breaking 90 regularly. (A anti-blow-up-hole video would be cool!) Thanks for your awesome golf video content!
I want to break 75 (again)
Broke 75 last year and have come close on a few occasions.
Great video Mark and completely agree with the putting being the easiest thing to practice. That definitely helps me to shoot my lowest scores when I am playing well. 👍🏾
I play with a lot of really low handicap golfers the biggest thing I see is their ability to get up and down and no big scores on their card also agree with Mark they are all great putters
I play off 8 and see this as my way to consistently break 80
Love the vid, excellent tips! Posted a PB of +10 a couple weeks ago and goal for the year is to shoot 80 or lower. Great ideas in this!
I'm currently trying to break 90. However, all of these tips can be applied to help me get better. Thank you for these videos. I do have one question, when hitting out of the rough do I club up, down, or does it depend on the situation?
Thanks Mark, cheers.
Great tips, my chipping has helped me with getting me to shoot under 80 currently play off 6.3hc Side note sound on point with the mic
Shot 39 around my home 9 hole course! I was buzzing 👍
Had a 76 once with a double on the last lol. But more normally a +15. Really helpful video.
Thank you!!! This is exactly what I’m trying to do. Very nice idéas.
Funny yesterday I shot a 85 and made four 3 putts!! So Last tip is so good! Thanks Mark.
Got down to mid 80’s a couple of years ago but injury and work has meant I haven’t played much.. back scoring in high 90’s so looking to get back below 90 and maybe get to eighty..
best i have done is 84 did a 90 last night with 33.3% of green hit in reg! but great tips will work on them all! 200yard and putting 100%
Around the green is where I struggle and need to improve. That 6ft rule is definitely something I will start to go by as a base! Thanks Mark!
Edit: Average score is 81-83
Thanks for yet another good video. Lowest score: 76.
At the moment? 75. Would love an updated break 75 video #YesPlease
Great points to practice at the range and the club. Yes a break 90 would be great too Mark. Had a 78 once, never been close again. Current average in the 90's. Must do better on the report card I'm afraid.
Great content. Watched this and the break 100 videos. Break 90 would be ace.
on it coming next week
Love it Mark! Looking forward to the "Break 90" 🤞