Breaking from the high 80s (87-89) to the low 80s (80-83)
- Jordan Jorgenson
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
Tough ask...
Going into the low 80's in golf is a realistic goal for an intermediate golfer, but it requires a strategic approach focusing on consistency, course management, and targeted skill improvement. On average, this means shaving 5-7 strokes off your score, which can be achieved by addressing inefficiencies in your game. Below is a detailed, step-by-step explanation of how to make this transition, covering technical skills, mental game, practice routines, and course strategy. Saying that... let's fix your short game.
1. Chipping
Chipping is for shots just off the green where the ball spends more time rolling than in the air.
Technique:
Setup: Ball back in stance (near right foot for right-handers), weight 60% on front foot, hands ahead of ball, shaft leaning toward target.
Stroke: Use a putting-like motion—shoulders and arms move, minimal wrist hinge. Keep lower body quiet.
Club Choice: Use a wedge (e.g., 56° for most shots, pitching wedge for longer rolls). Visualize landing the ball 2-3 feet onto the green, letting it roll to the hole.
Key Tip: Maintain a consistent tempo; accelerate through impact to avoid deceleration.
Drill:
Ladder Drill: Place three tees at 3, 5, and 7 feet onto the practice green. Chip 10 balls, aiming to land each in the zones (3 balls at 3 feet, 4 at 5 feet, 3 at 7 feet). Goal: 7/10 land in correct zones, all within 4 feet of hole after rolling.
Purpose: Develops landing spot precision and distance control.
Practice Goal: Get 6/10 chips within 3 feet of the hole from various lies (fringe, rough, uphill).
Impact: Better chipping increases up-and-down success, saving 1-2 strokes per round.
2. Pitching
Pitching is for shots 20-50 yards where the ball flies higher and stops quicker than a chip.
Technique:
Setup: Ball centered or slightly forward, weight 55% on front foot, stance slightly open, hands even with ball.
Swing: Hinge wrists slightly on backswing, then release through impact with a smooth follow-through. Use body rotation to control distance, not just arms.
Distance Control: Vary backswing length like a clock face (e.g., 9 o’clock = 30 yards, 10 o’clock = 40 yards with a 56° wedge).
Club Choice: Sand wedge (54-56°) for most pitches; lob wedge (58-60°) for high, soft shots; pitching wedge for low, running pitches.
Key Tip: Focus on crisp contact—hit the ball first, then the turf. Practice a shallow swing to avoid chunking.
Drill:
Target Zone Drill: Set up hoops, towels, or flags at 20, 30, 40, and 50 yards. Hit 5 balls to each, aiming to land within 5 yards of the target. Score 1 point per ball in the zone. Goal: 15/20 points.
Purpose: Builds feel for partial swings and yardage gaps.
Practice Goal: Land 7/10 pitches within 10 feet of the target distance, with no fat or thin shots.
Impact: Consistent pitching turns bogeys into par saves, cutting 1-2 strokes.
3. Bunker Play
Bunker shots intimidate many high-80s golfers, but a simple technique can make them manageable.
Technique:
Setup: Ball forward (near left heel for right-handers), weight 60% on front foot, stance wide and open, clubface slightly open (shows loft), dig feet into sand for stability.
Swing: Aim to hit 1-2 inches behind the ball, splashing sand onto the green. Swing with full commitment—accelerate through impact. Use the club’s bounce (don’t dig the leading edge).
Trajectory Control: For standard shots, keep the clubface square to slightly open. For higher shots, open the face more and swing softer.
Key Tip: Focus on sand, not the ball. Visualize “throwing” a handful of sand to the hole.
Drill:
Splash Drill: Draw a 2-inch line in the bunker sand. Practice hitting 10 shots, striking the line to splash sand onto the green. Then add a ball, aiming to hit 1-2 inches behind it. Goal: Get 8/10 balls out, 5/10 within 10 feet of the hole.
Purpose: Trains clean contact and confidence in sand.
Practice Goal: Get out of the bunker in one shot 9/10 times, with 4/10 within 8 feet.
Impact: Reliable bunker play prevents double bogeys, saving 0.5-1 stroke per round.
General Short Game Tips
Versatility: Practice from different lies (tight, fluffy rough, downhill, sidehill) to mimic course conditions.
Pre-Shot Routine: For every shot, visualize the trajectory and landing spot, take one practice swing, and commit. This builds confidence under pressure.
Simulate Pressure: Practice with consequences—e.g., “make 3/5 up-and-downs or start over.” This prepares you for real rounds.
Time Allocation: Spend 50% of short game practice on chipping, 35% on pitching, 15% on bunkers, as chips are most common.
Sample Practice Session (1 Hour)
15 min Chipping: 10 min on ladder drill (various clubs), 5 min from rough.
15 min Pitching: 10 min on target zone drill, 5 min on high vs. low trajectories.
10 min Bunkers: Splash drill, focusing on consistent splash and distance.
20 min Up-and-Down Game: Pick 5 spots around the green (chip, pitch, bunker). Use one ball per spot, aim to get up and down. Score: 1 point per success. Goal: 3/5 points.
Expected Progress
1 Month: Consistent contact, fewer skulls or chunks; 50% up-and-down success from easy lies.
2-3 Months: Reliable distance control; 60-70% up-and-down success; bunker exits in one shot.
Ongoing: Confidence in all short game shots, saving 2-4 strokes per round by converting bogeys to pars.
By mastering these techniques and practicing with purpose, your short game will become a strength, directly contributing to breaking into the low 80s. Focus on clean contact, landing spots, and pressure simulation to see quick results.
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