re: Golfers who have done it: How did you finally break 80?

I was a consistent low 80’s guy until I started spending time on chipping & putting. I was also one of those guys that thought I could hit ever recovery shot, no matter what tree was in my way or anything else taking away a clear shot at the green. I now tell myself after a bad shot “what is the easiest way to save boogie”. You would be surprised how many times you can save par when you just kick it back into safe position instead of trying to hit through a small window in some trees while fading it 30 yards (works about 1 out of 30 times...)
So to recap, don’t hit stupid low % shots & work on getting up & down when you miss greens.

Identify your weaknesses, quit playing and start trackable practice until you achieve significant improvement.
I was a consistent 81-83 golfer, never broke 80 until I did the above.
First time back playing on a course I never played before, was “caddied” around the course by 2 regulars, birdied the first 3 holes and shot 75.
Pictured the shot they described and executed each shot...

Putting, and limited / no penalty shots.

Aim for the middle of every green. Trust your putting/short game when you miss. Honestly, it was harder for me to break 80 than 75, but once you do it once, you will start to do it consistently if you play enough.

Also, keep the double bogeys off of the card. Those are round killers. When in trouble, take your medicine and play for bogey.

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The difference in those scores can be one or two swings.

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Yup. I was once -2 standing in the 13th fairway(par 5) with a decent shot of reaching the green. Hit a 3w OB, then fell apart. Pretty sure if I play that one shot safe, I finish near par.

What is your handicap because that doesn't correlate.

I've played there 30+ times (Resort & Palmer). Hitting 18/18 GIR and shooting over 65 would be very difficult. Those greens are practically flat because the course has incredible undulations.

Driving straight and connecting on second shot. Putting 2 shots together did it for me. Also have to have the short game going but that’s a given

Several years ago when I played often, I would break into the 70s when I eliminated three putts and double bogeys.. as others have mentioned, your short game and putting are crucial and try not to keep track of your score during your round.
My all time lowest round was at the tournament course at the Houston tour stop a few weeks after the shell open. Thru 15 I counted my scores and realized that I was even par.. then I proceeded to bogey 16, 17 and somehow got it together and lipped out a birdie put on 18 for a 74... I never came close to that score again because when I played well I’d start counting my shots then blow up..lmao