Golf instruction is always evolving, but the best tips stand the test of time. In GOLF.com’s new series, Lifetime Tips, we’re highlighting some of the greatest advice that teachers and players have shared in the pages of GOLF Magazine. Today we look back to our February 2001 issue for some tips on how to break 90.
Golf is a cue game. In the beginning, it’s all about getting the first level. Then, you start focusing on results. First time breaking 100…90… 80. It’s an exciting pursuit.
If you are reading this article, you probably find yourself in the same boat. And based on the title, you’re among the many looking to break 90 for the first time.
If this sounds like you – you’re in luck. Back to the February 2001 issue of GOLF magazineour editors put together a piece that describes a The easy way to break 90 for the first time. Follow the tips and you’ll be well on your way to posting scores in the 80s.
How to break 90
Having trouble getting your game into the 80s consistently? Maybe it’s a mental problem: Too often golfers get stuck in a comfort zone (say, the 90s), where the psychological hurdle to taking it to the next level feels insurmountable. Understand this: Unless you have a severe case of hamstrings or chest pain, there’s no reason even shorter scorers can’t regularly score in the mid-80s.
Here’s proof of how easy it is.
All you need is 1 par
If your course has a score of 72, a score of 89 is 17-over par. This means you only need to make one par during the round to break 90. ​​But remember that a par is all you need as long as you make the other 17 holes. Anything worse than bogey, and you need more pars. This sheds light on the biggest key to scoring for the average handicapper: Eliminate your doubles (or worse), and breaking 90 is a breeze.
What to work with
There are three potential culprits for double bogeys: penalty strokes (water hazards, out of bounds), shots hit around the green, and with three shots.
As a straight hitter, you’re probably not flirting with out-of-bounds action, so your ball is probably hitting the water a few times a round. If so, you are taking unnecessary risks. Stay out of trouble in almost all circumstances, and play for bogey if necessary. It may seem conservative, but you’d be surprised at how many quadruples you make when your target score is five. Moreover, any number is much more satisfying than a six or seven.
Take a similar approach around greens. If your good shots are mixed with a few shots, you’re either suffering lapses in concentration, or you’re trying to hit them accurately. Keep your short game simple: Stick to the basics of cutting and hitting and try to get the ball as close to the hole as possible. But most of all, make sure you’re making your next shot. Don’t try to be a hero if failure means losing the green.
Eliminating three strokes is all about awareness and it starts before your ball is on the green. As you study your chip or pitch, watch the green ripples. Without putting too much pressure on yourself, know that leaving a putt flat or uphill dramatically reduces your chances of hitting a three. The same goes for your first shot or lag. Always look for the preferred angle for the second shot of your putt, then allow for a miss that will end up on that side. You’d be surprised how many second shots you make when none of them are shiny and bent.
Put them all together
If you can eliminate these mistakes—the penalty kicks, the foul shots, and the three-pointers—breaking 90 won’t be a problem. Instead you will threaten to break 80. Consider this a goal and proof that good golf is not a matter of hitting great shots, just NO hitting catastrophic ones.
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