Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a GOLF.com series in which we’re sharing improvements, learnings and takeaways from amateur golfers just like you — including some of the speed bumps and challenges they faced along the way.
Most golfers aim to either break 90 or break 80 with consistency, but what’s wrong with breaking 85? While it’s not quite shooting in the 70s, it’s still a fantastic score, and one that (hopefully) leaves a player proud about the day they had on the course.
The 1 shot you must avoid when trying to break 80, per top teacher
But breaking 85 isn’t an easy task, as it takes a solid game plan, smart decisions, and understanding how to execute all types of shots. It also requires a golfer to avoid dumb mistakes that add a stroke or two — which, over the course of 18 holes, all add up.
As someone who feels stuck being a bogey-golfer (typically shooting anywhere between 88-91), I needed some help to get over the hump and shave a few strokes off my scorecard. So I hit up GOLF Top 100 Teacher Mark Durland to get his thoughts, and to see what’s necessary to routinely break 85 once and for all.
How to break 85 more consistently
“Most golfers would love to consistently break 85,” Durland says. “Unfortunately, there are a few mistakes standing in the way of doing so.”
In the video above (and in the text below), Durland identifies three round-killing mistakes that are preventing you from reaching your goal of breaking 85, and then provides actionable solutions for each.
Avoid penalty strokes
Most penalties come from errant tee shots — with an out-of-bounds first shot adding a frustrating stroke to your scorecard. So Durland encourages players to find a club other than driver that provides some distance, but with more control!
He recommends practicing with a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee instead of using a driver, which can help you become comfortable with each of them when the opportunity arises. By opting to use these clubs more frequently, you can eliminate stressful tee shots.
Of course, there are times when a driver is absolutely necessary, so he offers up the following strategy to practice with, which helps create a “fairway finder” tee shot with the driver. Here are the four steps to follow:
- Tee the ball lower
- Move the ball slightly back in your stance
- Choke down on the grip
- Use cruising speed versus your full speed
By using this formula, it’ll help squeeze a shot down the fairway and in play.
Calibrate carry distance
The best golfers in the world are so dialed in on their distances, but don’t confuse yourself, it’s carry distance they trust, not total distance.
Durland briefly talks about this in the video, explaining how the total distance is a variable that depends on whether the ball lands on a downslope or an upslope. That’s why carry distance is the only number a player can control.
For instance, Xander Schauffele hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation during the final round of the Open Championship last month during his victory, which was due to his understanding of his carry distance with each club in the bag.
It’s why hitting greens in regulation is the key to golf — and regularly breaking 85. The sooner you get the ball to the green, the sooner you get the putter in your hand.
The keys to breaking 80 vs. breaking 90, explained by a top teacher
So what can you do to get more familiar with your carry distances? Simple, Durland says in the video, either visit a teaching professional equipped with a measuring device or use a launch monitor.
Durland explains how most amateurs miss greens short on their approach shots — which is tied to using total distance rather than carry distance to calculate their club choice. He even declares it as an epidemic in golf, with many golfers thinking a 7-iron is their 150-yard club, when, in reality, it’s their 137-yard carry club. It’s why they always come up short.
Stop missing short putts
While a player may fix the previously mentioned mistakes, in order to regularly break 85, it all comes down to making short putts — especially between 3-5 feet.
To help, Durland shares a fun game to use during your putting practice.
First, set up one putt from three feet, four feet, and five feet. Now imagine that each putt is for par, and the goal is to be even after the three putts. In other words, you must make all three.
Now start with the 3-footer and end with the 5-footer — which will put the most pressure on the 5-footer. The reason? Durland’s always trying to replicate tournament pressure for his students, and, while it can be difficult to do during practice, games like this can help.
Bonus: Develop the right mental strategy
Outside of the physical controllables, Durland offers up a bonus strategy that can help you consistently break 85 — and it has to do with your mental strategy.
He starts with a riddle: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! So next time you play 18 holes, break the round into six, three-hole challenges.
Trying to become a scratch golfer? Try this six-3’s concept
The goal is to play every three holes 2-over par. This is a more digestible way to strategize before each hole and shot, and adds up to 84. So if you’re able to rattle off three pars in a row, you can afford a double-bogey on the scorecard and still reach your goal.
By learning to eliminate penalty strokes off the tee, understanding your carry numbers, avoiding inconsistent results on short putts, and reframing your mental approach, you’ll consistently break 85 — and finally see the progress every golfer strives for.
