After 16 years as a PGA Professional, one of the most common questions I get asked by recreational players is this: How do I break 80 in golf for the first time?
If learning how to break 90 is about mastering your golf swing tempo and cleaning up some mechanics, breaking 80 in golf is about something bigger.
It's all about what's happening upstairs.
We've all seen the guy who has a pretty golf swing, hits it pure on the driving range with his PureOne practice clubs, and can rip his tee shots — only to 3-putt everything, leading to frustration, negative talk, and leading to a mid-80s round.
Look, nothing's wrong with that score, but if you have the ability to shoot lower, you're not maximizing your potential.
That's where having a strong mental strategy comes into play — which is the difference between knowing how to break 80 in golf and continuing to look back on what could've been.
To consistently break 80 in golf, it isn't about becoming a better ball-striker, it's about becoming a smarter decision-maker, not letting your brain sabotage your round. Here's how to do it!
Silence Your Own Thoughts
Learning how to break 80 in golf is about silencing the voice in your head.
I see it happen constantly: A guy's having the round of his life through 12 holes, then suddenly starts thinking about his score and completely falls apart.
For example, I had a student last year who shot 39 on the front nine for the first time ever. He was so pumped that he actually called his wife from the turn to tell her he might shoot his best score ever. Well, guess what happened? He came in with a 44 on the back nine and wanted to throw his clubs into the lake.
The problem wasn't that he suddenly forgot how to swing, it was that he started thinking about his final score instead of just playing the next shot. He went from being in the zone to calculating what he needed to shoot, putting a ton of pressure on himself.
Here's the truth that might sting a little: Most golfers who can't break 80 are beating themselves. They'll make great swings but pick terrible targets, hit solid shots to the wrong spots, and let one bad hole ruin their entire day.
This is why you need to have the mental fortitude to break 80 in golf with consistency.
How to Break 80 in Golf: 4 Mental Shifts That Actually Work
OK, so how can you actually break 80 without putting pressure on yourself? Try these four easy mental shifts — which are sure to change your approach.
First, stop thinking about your score until you're signing your card. I know, it's way easier said than done. But instead of doing math on every tee, just focus on your pre-shot routine and picking the right target for each shot. The guys who consistently break 80 aren't keeping a running tally in their heads, they're just trying to hit the next shot to their target landing spot.
Second, start thinking of bogey as a victory. This might sound weird, but hear me out. When you accept that bogey is actually a pretty good score, you'll stop taking stupid risks and avoid those big numbers that kill your card. Double bogey is what hurts — bogey is just golf.
Third, learn when to be aggressive and when to play it safe. The best golfers I know aren't always going for pins, they're picking their spots. When they've got a good lie, the right yardage, and the conditions are right, they'll attack. When things aren't perfect, they'll aim for the fat part of the green and take their two-putt par.
Fourth, develop amnesia for bad shots. Every golfer hits bad shots, even guys like Scottie Scheffler. The difference is how fast you get over it. Great golfers know how to treat each shot as a singular moment, regroup, move on, and refocus — ensuring one shot doesn't ruin an entire golf round.
Use This Golf Strategy To Lower Scores
Here's something that sounds almost too simple to work: Stop trying to play 18 consecutive holes and start playing 18 separate holes instead.
Sounds weird, right? Maybe, but shifting to this approach allows you to treat each hole like its own little round. That way you can't carry the frustration from the last hole forward, and you can't worry about holes you haven't played yet. Each tee is a fresh start.
Before teeing off on each hole, ask yourself these three questions:
- Where's the smartest place to hit my drive?
- What's my favorite yardage for my approach shot?
- What's the worst thing that could happen if I miss my target?
By using this mental checklist, it forces you to think, allowing you to use good course management skills.
Now when you're over the ball, the only job you have is to execute your pre-shot routine and commit to your plan. No swing thoughts, no scoreboard math, no "what if" scenarios — just a clear focus on the shot in front of you.
To Break 80 in Golf, Learn to Handle the Pressure
One of the biggest mental shifts for players learning how to break 80 in golf is understanding (and welcoming) pressure — rather than crippling because of it.
Look, we're human beings and feel things, so don't run away from thoughts that naturally creep into your mind. But instead of letting them consume you, acknowledge them and get back to business. Tell yourself, "I'm playing well today, so I'm going to keep making good decisions one shot at a time."
This simple shift in focus will let you play loose, free, and focused.
So the next time you're in position to shoot your best score ever, lean into it. Trust what got you there, stick to your course management plan, and remember this: Great golfers aren't the ones who avoid feeling pressure, they're the ones who play their best when they actually feel it the most.
Breaking 80 in golf isn't only about hitting every shot perfectly, it's simply about making smarter decisions and not getting in your own way. When you learn to do this, better scores will naturally come.
PGA of America Golf Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. Check out his weekly Monday column on RG.org, sign up for his golf newsletter, and visit OneMoreRollGolf.com to learn more about him and his work.
