What Separates a 70s Golfer from an 80s Golfer

If you’re consistently shooting in the low 80s, you’re already a solid golfer. But breaking through into the 70s — and doing it regularly — requires a different level of precision and discipline.

It’s not about hitting five more perfect shots. It’s about thinking differently, managing misses better, and executing under pressure more consistently.

In this article, we’re going beyond the basics. You’ll see what 70s-level players do that 80s golfers often overlook — even when they have similar ball-striking ability.

If you’ve ever walked off the course with an 82 thinking, “I left five strokes out there,” this breakdown is for you.

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1. Course Strategy: 70s Golfers Think in Terms of Scoring Zones

The biggest shift from the 80s to the 70s is how players plan their way around the course. 80s golfers often play reactively — grabbing driver on every par 4 or 5, firing at every flag, or deciding their strategy on the tee box.

A 70s golfer, in contrast, plays with intentionality. They know the strengths and weaknesses of their game and use them to build a round strategy — not just a hole-by-hole guess.

They approach holes based on scoring zones:

• Where is the best place to leave a full wedge?
• Is the rough a safer miss than short-siding myself to a tucked pin?
• What club gives me the widest landing area under pressure?

They don’t just think about the next shot — they think about the shot after next, and how to set it up. If they’re out of position, they know how to take their medicine and avoid compounding mistakes.

If you’re chasing 70s golf, try this shift: on every hole, don’t just ask “Can I reach the green?” Ask, “What’s the easiest way to make par here — and the smartest place to miss?”

2. Green Reading and Putting Precision

Breaking into the 70s isn’t just about hitting greens — it’s about capitalizing once you get there. The biggest putting difference between 80s and 70s golfers?

Consistency in pace control and short putt execution. While 80s golfers may have decent strokes, they’re far more likely to three-putt from long range or miss key putts inside six feet.

Golfers who shoot in the 70s have refined both green reading and speed control. They don’t just eyeball the slope — they take time to read the full break, understand the grain, assess uphill vs downhill tendencies, and plan their pace accordingly.

Most importantly, they have a repeatable pre-putt routine that helps them commit to the line and roll.

Here’s what sets their putting apart:

• Speed over line: They know that the right speed opens up the hole.
• Consistent setup and tempo: There’s no guessing over the ball — it’s automatic.
• Deadly inside 5 feet: They expect to make these, not just hope to.

Want to make the leap? Practice 30–40 foot lag putts until your leave distance is under three feet consistently.

Then spend serious time drilling 3–6 foot putts from different angles, with full routine and pressure reps. 70s players don’t fear these putts — they rely on them to keep the round alive.

3. Wedge Play: Distance Control, Not Just Contact

In the 80s, most golfers are satisfied just making solid contact with their wedges. They get the ball on the green and hope for a decent putt. But 70s golfers take it further — they treat wedge shots as scoring opportunities, not just recovery swings. The goal isn’t to “get it on” — it’s to get it close.

The key difference? Distance control. Players shooting in the 70s know their yardages inside 100 yards and have multiple shots for each distance.

They vary trajectory, spin, and carry to handle different lies and pin positions. Rather than guessing or swinging full speed, they rehearse precise feels for half, three-quarter, and knockdown wedge shots.

What 70s golfers do better with wedges:

• Dialed-in carry distances for 60, 75, 90 yards, etc.
• Flight control — high floaters when needed, low spinners into wind.
• One-hop-and-stop chips instead of guesswork bump-and-runs.

Meanwhile, many 80s golfers:

• Swing full wedges with little control or margin for error.
• Don’t track carry vs rollout.
• Struggle with awkward distances and try to “muscle” or “soft” a shot.

To reach the 70s, your wedges need to be as reliable as your putter. Build a wedge matrix with carry distances for each club at different swing lengths — and practice controlling trajectory just as much as spin. Getting the ball consistently inside 10 feet from wedge range is a scoring skill that separates solid from elite.

4. Mental Toughness and Round Management

Shooting in the 70s doesn’t mean you play perfect golf — it means you know how to manage your game when things aren’t going perfectly.

This is where 70s golfers truly separate themselves from those stuck in the 80s. They don’t unravel after a bad swing, and they don’t chase birdies to “make up” for mistakes. They stay patient, focused, and adaptable.

A golfer who lives in the 80s might start strong, then double a hole and immediately press to recover. That mindset often leads to compounded mistakes. But 70s players understand momentum comes and goes. They bounce back after a bogey, take their medicine when in trouble, and grind for a par or bogey when the hole isn’t setting up well.

What this looks like on the course:

• Emotional control: Bad shots happen, but they don’t affect the next one.
• Strategic recovery: They don’t try to hit miracle shots from trees or bad lies.
• Hole-by-hole focus: They stay present and don’t worry about “what I need to shoot.”

A 70s golfer might hit fewer great shots than you think — but they minimize damage better than most.

They accept bogeys, avoid triples, and keep themselves in position for a run of pars and birdie chances. That mental steadiness turns a 41-43 round into a 38-38 — and that’s the difference.

5. Elite Miss Management

Golfers who consistently shoot in the 70s don’t hit every shot flush — they just miss in the right places. This is one of the most overlooked skills at the amateur level.

While 80s players often end up short-sided, in penalty areas, or with impossible lies, 70s golfers miss in ways that still give them a chance to score or save par.

This isn’t luck — it’s deliberate. They play to safe zones, avoid high-risk targets, and know their dispersion patterns. If they’re going to miss, they miss where they can still chip and two-putt — not where they’re forced to scramble for double.

Key ways 70s golfers manage misses:

• Avoiding short sides — they favor the fat part of the green, especially to tough pins.
• Playing away from hazards, even if it means a longer putt.
• Controlling trajectory and spin, so misses don’t balloon or run off the back.

In contrast, 80s golfers often:

• Fire at every flag, regardless of location.
• Don’t consider wind, lie, or slope when choosing clubs.
• Let emotional frustration influence aggressive decisions.

One of the fastest ways to drop from the 80s into the 70s is not by hitting more perfect shots — it’s by turning bad holes into bogeys instead of doubles, and average holes into pars. Miss small, miss smart, and your scoring average will thank you.

6. Committed Execution Under Pressure

When the round is going well — maybe you’re even with three to play — how you handle those final holes is what separates 70s golfers from the rest.

At this level, committed execution becomes everything. Players in the 70s don’t just have good mechanics — they have the ability to trust their preparation and pull the trigger with confidence, especially when the stakes rise.

80s golfers often fall into the trap of doubt: backing off shots, second-guessing club choices, or changing their swing tempo under pressure.

That indecision leads to tentative swings and poor contact. But 70s golfers stick to their routine, commit to the shot, and live with the outcome — good or bad.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• One clear swing thought, not three.
• Full commitment to the club and target — no steering or guiding the ball.
• Consistent pre-shot routine that helps calm nerves and reinforce intent.

Pressure doesn’t disappear at this level — but 70s players handle it with structure and focus. They know the worst shot is usually the one you try to “guide” or control mid-swing.

Instead, they aim with purpose, trust their numbers, and swing like it’s the first hole — even when it’s the 18th.

If you want to finish rounds strong and consistently score in the 70s, this ability to execute decisively when it matters most will make the biggest difference.

Conclusion: Precision and Patience Over Power

Shooting in the 70s isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being precise, patient, and fully committed to every decision.

The players who break 80 consistently don’t always hit more greens or longer drives than the rest. What they do better is manage their strategy, control their misses, and stay composed when it matters most.

If you’re living in the 80s right now, you’re closer than you think. With smarter decision-making, better wedge control, and a more focused approach on the greens, those few extra strokes will start to disappear.

The next step isn’t just more practice — it’s more purposeful practice aimed at the parts of your game that matter most.

Golf Practice Plans to Follow

• How to Score in the 60’s Golf Training Plan
• How to Score in the 70’s Golf Training Plan
• How to Score in the 80’s Golf Training Plan
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Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor