How to Break 80 in Golf (Without Swing Changes)
Breaking 80 is one of the most common goals I hear from golfers all around the world — and for good reason.
It’s a huge milestone that separates good golfers from great ones, and shows you’ve developed real consistency, confidence, and course management skills.
That’s why I wrote Wicked Smart Golf II: How to Break 80 Consistently — to simplify the process and show golfers exactly how to reach that goal without spending years obsessed over technical swing changes.
And in this blog, I'm going to share 7 of the most effective strategies from the book to help you start breaking 80 faster than you ever thought possible — no swing changes required.
Let’s dive in.
How Break 80 in Golf: No Swing Changes Required
If you're not famiiar - Wicked Smart Golf - uses a five pillar approach to better golf including: mental game, practice habits, becoming a clutch putter+ wedge wizard, and expert course management. This is all expanded up on in the book, but I am confident these strategies will help you get started.
Step 1: Build Self-Belief to Break 80
Now that goal is set, you must get your mind on board. That starts with an updated self-image.
Did you know nearly 70% of lottery winners go broke or face financial setbacks within just a few years of their big win? Similarly, a 2009 Sports Illustrated article reported that approximately:
- 78% of NFL players experience financial stress or bankruptcy within two years of retiring.
- And 60% of NBA players encounter similar issues within five years.
You might be wondering—what does this have to do with golf? These examples highlight how the wrong self-image can hold anyone back, no matter their external success.
For lottery winners and professional athletes, financial mismanagement and overspending are often cited as the causes. While they definitely play a role, I believe the real culprit lies in their self-image.
For many, their internal beliefs about money and worth don’t align with their sudden financial success, leading to behaviors that sabotage their newfound wealth. The same can happen to your golf game.
If your self-image as a golfer doesn’t align with breaking 80, you might subconsciously make decisions or play in ways that prevent you from reaching your potential. Whether it’s nerves on the course or playing conservatively to “protect” a good round, these patterns often stem from how you see yourself as a player.
As Jason Day put it: “If you don't believe in yourself, somewhere or another, you sabotage yourself."
To break through your scoring plateau, you must redefine what feels normal and safe to your self-image. Only then can you consistently perform at your true potential. Try this journaling exercise:
Journal to Break 80
Take out a blank page and draw a line down the middle. On the left side, you’ll capture your current self, and on the right, define your future self. This exercise will help you clearly identify the gap and create a roadmap for transformation.
Step 1: On the left side, write a detailed assessment of your current game.
- Include stats if available: driving distance, greens in regulation, scrambling, average putts per round, etc.
- Rate your mental game from 1-10: how well do you handle stress, bounce back from mistakes, or stay focused?
- Evaluate your practice routines: how often, how long, and how intentional are your sessions?
- Reflect on your emotional responses: Do you get frustrated easily? Do you maintain composure after a bad hole or stretch of holes?
- And anything else that describes your current game.
Step 2: On the right side, paint a vivid picture of the golfer you aspire to become—your future self—in as much detail as possible.
- What are your average scores and key stats? What does it feel like achieving the level of performance you’ve always envisioned?
- How do you approach each round mentally? Are you calm, confident, and composed, regardless of the situation?
- What does your practice routine look like? Are you focused, disciplined, and guided by clear, actionable goals?
- How do you respond to challenges on the course? Do you stay positive, bounce back quickly, and remain committed to your process?
Step 2: Increase Clubhead Speed
If you want to break 80 without swing changes, adding distance is a must — and the good news is, it’s easier than you think. Here are three simple ways to start hitting it longer:
Rypstick Speed Training
Speed training is one of the fastest ways to add yards to every club without touching your mechanics. Rypstick is my go-to trainer because it’s convenient (one club vs. multiple) and incredibly easy to use. With just 20–25 minutes, 2–3 times a week, you can quickly increase clubhead speed and gain serious distance off the tee.
Tour Tempo App
Tempo is the hidden key to effortless speed — and Tour Tempo is one of the best tools you can use. Most amateurs swing way too slow, giving themselves too much time to think and killing sequencing.
Tightening your swing tempo to a 3:1 ratio (three parts backswing, one part downswing) can add 10–20 yards almost instantly. Download the app, start training, and watch your speed — and ball striking — improve.
Speed-Only Sessions
Speed-only sessions on the range or simulator are another game-changer. After a proper warm-up, swing the driver with max effort — no concern for direction, just pure speed. Keep these sessions short (15–20 balls at most) and train once or twice a week.
Over time, your body will adapt, and faster swings will become your new normal — without sacrificing control. To avoid injuries, consider training with GolfForever - the best fitness app in the game!
3. Create Pre-Shot Routine
Off the course, improving your breathing and mindfulness practice can transform your mental game.On the course, your pre-shot routine is your superpower for breaking 80 — fast.
Here’s a simple breakdown of a routine you can model to start shooting consistently lower scores:
Step 1: Analyze and Assess
Before every shot, slow down and evaluate everything: distance, lie, stance, slope, wind, and weather.This doesn't need to take long — with practice, you’ll process it naturally and quickly.
The more detailed your pre-shot analysis, the easier it is to pick a smart target and commit to it.
Step 2: Pick the Right Club and Shot
Now that you know the situation, reverse-engineer the best shot. Focus on carry distance and margin for error — not just the pin.
Play to smart targets, especially when the lie or wind calls for extra caution. Build habits where even your misses leave you in good spots.
Step 3: Take Purposeful Rehearsal Swings
Rehearsal swings aren’t just “practice” swings. They should mimic the exact shot you want to hit — trajectory, shape, and feel.
Tiger Woods is the gold standard at this, rehearsing every shot before stepping in. Follow his example: no mindless waggling — rehearse with purpose.
Step 4: Breathe Before the Shot
Before stepping into the ball, take a deep, slow exhale.This calms nerves, clears your mind, and shifts you into execution mode.
It’s your mental "switch" — analyzing is done; now it’s time to trust the swing.
Step 5: Don’t Linger Over the Ball
Once you’re set, go. Spending more than eight seconds standing over the ball builds tension and doubt — not confidence.
Commit to a smooth, rhythmic approach, just like Mike Bender teaches in Golf’s 8-Second Secret.
4. Practice With Purpose
As Dr. Bob Rotella wisely said, “A golfer has to train his swing on the practice tee, then trust it on the course.”
Practice isn’t just about hitting balls — it’s about building trust in your swing, understanding your patterns, and developing quick fixes when things go wrong. It’s also where you transform weaknesses into strengths, so they don’t derail you when it matters most.
Remember: The Golf Gods love exposing your biggest flaws at the worst possible time.
If you don’t prepare intentionally, they’ll find them.
Here’s how to practice with purpose:
Work on Your Weaknesses
The fastest way to break 80 is to identify your weak spots and attack them relentlessly.
Track stats, review rounds, and spend 60–70% of your practice time on the parts of your game that need the most attention.
Prioritize Key Clubs
If you want to break 80 consistently, you need to own three clubs:
- Driver (off the tee)
- Wedges (inside 125 yards)
- Putter (on the greens)
Better driving leads to more greens in regulation. Better wedge play means more birdie looks. Better putting turns bad rounds into good ones. Master these three and watch your scores tumble.
Have a Plan for Every Session
Never show up at the range without a plan.
Practice should never feel like random guesswork — it should feel structured, targeted, and efficient.
Need help building better practice habits?
👉 Check out the Wicked Smart Golf Practice Formula — my proven system to structure smarter practice sessions, fix weaknesses fast, and build a game that travels under pressure.
Step 5: Master Course Management
You can practice with purpose, upgrade your self-image, and have a great pre-shot routine — but if you don’t think your way around the course, you’ll keep leaving strokes behind.
This is where course management becomes your secret weapon.
The best way to learn true course management?
It’s the system used by college teams, tour players, and elite amateurs around the world to simplify decision-making and lower scores without changing your swing.
Here are a few quick course management principles that can help you break 80 faster:
- Six Threes Approach: Stop worrying about the full round and start thinking about six three hole chunks. This makes it easier to focus and stay present (Rory also mentioned this in his post-round presser after winning the 2025 Masters).
- Hit Driver More Often: Most golfers lose strokes by being overly conservative off the tee. Play the longest club you can reasonably control to get closer to the green and set up easier approach shots.
- Stop Laying Up: Unless there’s a forced carry or hazard, laying up often costs you shots. Study after study shows that going for the green (or getting closer to it) statistically leads to lower scores.
- Play One Shot Shape: Eliminate indecision by playing one shot shape (draw or fade) all round. If you’re trying to curve shots both ways on command, you’re making the game harder than it needs to be.
Smarter strategies = easier swings = lower scores. Get disciplined with your decision-making and you’ll see breakthroughs faster than you think.
Closing Thoughts
Breaking 80 isn’t about having a perfect golf swing — it’s about thinking smarter, practicing with purpose, managing your mind, and trusting yourself on the course. When you focus on the right areas — like building belief, managing your game, sharpening your routines, and mastering course strategy — lower scores will follow.
If you found these strategies helpful, there’s plenty more waiting for you inside Wicked Smart Golf II: How to Break 80 Consistently.
🎯 Grab your copy today on Amazon (Kindle, Paperback, or Hardcover)
🎧 Or listen on Audible with over an hour of bonus content not found in the print version!
Learn the full system that's helped thousands of golfers break 80 — and transform your game forever.
