Breaking 80 Wasn’t About Power—it Was About Strategy
I did it. I finally broke 80. After years of grinding, I walked off Hidden Valley Golf Course with a 79—my first time ever in the 70s. The day before, I’d shot an 81, and it felt like I’d finally crossed some invisible barrier that had been mocking me since I started golfing.
And here’s the thing: I didn’t do it by swinging harder, buying a $600 driver, or dropping a dozen Pro V1s into the woods. I did it by playing smarter golf.
📘 How It Started
Back in 2018, I wanted nothing to do with golf. A buddy invited me to Florida for a work trip and suggested we play a round. My exact words: “No thanks, golf is gay.”
But he sweetened the deal with beer, cigars, clubs, and a free round. Who says no to that? And shockingly, I actually had a good time. When I got back, I started dabbling in scrambles, eventually buying a $30 set of used clubs off Facebook Marketplace.
Fast forward to 2019—better clubs, more scrambles. Then 2020 hit, and I decided to take the game seriously: lessons, upgraded gear, and more rounds.
💡 The Epiphany: Course Recon + Data
The real breakthrough came the past 2 months: I stopped letting my ego dictate my club selection. For years, I lived by the “grip it and rip it” mantra. Driver on every par 4 and par 5, no matter what.
But here’s the hard truth: driver is a double-edged sword. It can save you… or it can absolutely ruin your round. So, before every round, I use the 18Birdies app to analyze the course—yardages, hazard zones, and club distances (carry vs. total). I made a cheat sheet for every club—total distance vs. carry distance—so I’d know if I could clear that bunker at 250 yards or if I’d be better off laying up. This one change has been a total game-changer.
🛡️ Smart Golf vs. Brute Golf
I used my driver only twice over 18 holes recently. Why? I started thinking ahead. A par 4 at 387 yards with a bunker left and a creek right at 250 yards? Old me would’ve grabbed driver, swung out of my shoes, and hoped for the best. New me? I’ll hit a 3-wood or mini driver, land short of the trouble, and set up my next shot.
I can’t tell you how many strokes I’ve saved by not trying to be the hero. I assessed hazards—limbs over fairway, bunkers, creeks, doglegs—and chose clubs that land me in play. If the fairway narrows with a bunker at 250 yards, maybe I pull a 3‑wood or mini driver instead of going full throttle. Safer, smarter, and consistent.
🏌️♂️ Why Krank Golf Changed Everything
Let me take a second to shout out Krank Golf. Krank Golf: their Formula FIRE mini driver (11.5°) became my weapon of choice. It feels like a big 3‑wood—around 260 yards, with laser accuracy and forgiveness. I’ve been using their driver for the past couple years and really like it. I hit it pretty well, just not consistently. I can absolutely crush it with my best driver over 350. However, sometimes the ball goes to Never Never Land. Course layouts like Hidden Valley—with poison ivy and snakes lurking in the rough—demand that precision.
From forum and community feedback:
“The Krank is doing very well… much higher ball flight… easy to control and shape.” YouTube+6Yahoo+6Polygon+6Instruction For The Mental Game of Golf+7wickedsmartgolf.com+7wickedsmartgolf.com+7Krank Golf+2Billy Bob’s Golf+2Krank Golf+2Reddit+2GolfWRX+2Reddit+2
“I have a playing partner that plays their driver and the mini. They love it.” Reddit+1Reddit+1
Krank’s Cupped Face Forged design, Bulge and Roll curvature, and precise beta‑titanium face deliver unbelievable forgiveness and ball speed without sacrificing control Instruction For The Mental Game of Golf+10Krank Golf+10Krank Golf+10.
⛳ Leroy Jenkins Moment (Don’t Be That Guy)
Golf is like combat—you don’t charge in without a plan. Proper recon, “What If” questions, and proper gear for the task is vital. “Make a plan and work the plan.” Remember Leeroy Jenkins in WoW? You know exactly what happens when you attack blindly. He ignored the strategy, yelled his name, impulsively charged—and wiped out his team. Exactly what not to do on the tee box. TikTok+3Wikipedia+3Polygon+3
Don’t be Leroy. Be disciplined. Pick your spots. Avoid trouble.
When you finish 18 holes with the same two balls you started with—and your score is in the 70s—you’ll understand what I mean.
I’ll also add, if you suck at driver, why are you using it when you play a round? Sure!! Practice with it to get better, but until you’re consistent, leave it in the vehicle. I play with a lot of guys who constantly hook or slice their driver. It’s expected every time they step up to the tee. During a round is not the time to practice what you hope to get better doing. It’s time to perform and test yourself and gauge how you’ve improved.
✅ Tactical Rounds in Action
On a 499‑yard par‑5 with a dogleg right at 200 y: many folks pull their driver and end up in the trees on the right or bomb it over the cart path onto the adjacent hole. I can’t tell you how many balls i have in those trees on the right. I hit a 5‑iron for 200 y, followed with a 3‑wood, then hit my wedge to the green. Two putts, par. That’s smart golf.
🎯 Bottom Line
The Bottom Line: Swallow Your Pride
If you want to bomb driver all day and hunt for balls in the woods, go for it. That’s fun, too. But if you’re serious about lowering your score, you’ve got to think differently:
- Plan every shot.
- Avoid hazards like they’re landmines.
- Stop forcing driver on every tee box.
- Play to your strengths.
It’s not as “flashy,” but I promise you—shooting 79 feels way better than swinging out of your shoes and carding a 93.
Now go play smarter golf.
Hoodlm's Thoughts, Reviews and How-To's 