Achieving a golf score of 90 or better marks a significant milestone for many recreational players. If you have recently surpassed the 100-stroke barrier, as discussed in a previous video, the next natural ambition is often to consistently break 90. This goal is certainly attainable with the right strategies and a focused approach to your game. The video above provides five essential tips, and here we will expand upon these concepts, offering deeper insights and actionable advice to help you master the course and elevate your performance.
Breaking 90 primarily involves eliminating the high numbers from your scorecard, such as double, triple, or even quadruple bogeys. Consistently making bogeys, interspersed with a few pars, is the foundation for achieving this target. This requires a shift in mindset, improved course management, and a sharpened short game. Let us explore the critical adjustments that can be made to facilitate this improvement.
1. Conquering Your Golf “Nemesis Holes”
Many golfers are familiar with the concept of a “nemesis hole”—a specific hole on their home course that seems to consistently lead to disaster. However, the first step in dealing with such a challenge is to stop labeling it as a nemesis. The psychological impact of negative self-talk and predetermined failure can be immense, often leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy before a single shot is even played.
Reframing Your Mental Approach
The internal dialogue played out in a golfer’s mind can significantly influence performance. When a hole is approached with thoughts such as, “I always struggle here” or “This hole always ruins my round,” a losing battle has often begun before the ball is even teed up. Instead, it is recommended that a conscious effort be made to reframe these thoughts. Consider focusing on past successes, no matter how small, or concentrating purely on the present shot rather than the hole’s daunting history.
Positive affirmations and visualization techniques can be powerful tools. Imagining a successful shot, a clean contact, or a desired outcome can help to reprogram the subconscious mind. This shift from negative anticipation to constructive planning is a crucial component of breaking 90. Ultimately, if how you talk about a hole is changed, how you play that hole can also be changed.
Strategic Practice for Difficult Holes
Once the mental barrier has been addressed, a practical strategy for improving performance on these challenging holes must be implemented. It is quite common for golfers to avoid practicing their most difficult holes, preferring to focus on those where they feel more comfortable. However, targeted practice can transform a triple bogey into a manageable bogey.
Consider dedicating specific practice sessions to these particular holes. This does not necessarily mean playing the entire hole repeatedly, but rather breaking it down into segments. For example, if a long par four consistently leads to trouble, practice different tee shot strategies. Experiment with laying up shorter but in a better position, rather than attempting to reach a distant, tight landing area. Practicing from various positions around the green can also be incredibly beneficial, especially if approaches often miss in a particular challenging spot. Developing a well-thought-out game plan for each of these holes, even if it means accepting a bogey, can significantly contribute to breaking 90.
2. The Art of Taking Your Medicine on the Golf Course
A common pitfall for golfers aiming to break 90 is the tendency to attempt heroic shots from difficult lies or positions. While the desire to recover spectacularly is understandable, these high-risk endeavors are often the primary cause of double, triple, and even quadruple bogeys. Learning to “take your medicine” is a core principle of strategic course management.
Assessing Risk Versus Reward
In many challenging situations, such as being blocked by trees or finding oneself in thick rough, golfers are presented with a choice: attempt a low-percentage shot towards the flag or play a conservative recovery shot to a safer area. The temptation to “go for it” can be strong, especially when the flag is visible. However, success rates for such shots are typically very low, and the consequences of failure are usually severe, often leading to further trouble or penalty strokes.
To consistently break 90, a more analytical approach is required. It is important to objectively assess the probability of success for any given shot. If the likelihood of pulling off a spectacular shot is minimal, and the potential for a disastrous outcome is high, then a simpler, more predictable alternative should always be chosen. This disciplined decision-making helps in minimizing the devastating high numbers on the scorecard.
Executing the Smart Recovery
Taking your medicine means deliberately choosing to put the ball back into play, even if it means sacrificing distance or attacking the flag. For example, chipping out sideways from behind trees to ensure a clear next shot, or hitting a short iron from deep rough to the fairway, rather than attempting a long, difficult approach. While these choices may seem “boring” in the moment compared to a heroic shot, they are consistently more effective in preventing score escalation.
Furthermore, even simple recovery shots require careful thought and execution. It is not enough to just “chip it out”; the shot needs to be played with precision and a clear objective. The ball should be placed far enough away from obstructions and into a position that offers a clear, comfortable next shot. Treating these recovery shots with the same focus as any other shot can prevent minor trouble from snowballing into a major setback, thus supporting the overall goal of breaking 90.
3. Developing Your Favorite Chipping Club
The short game, particularly chipping, plays an outsized role in lowering golf scores. While versatility with various wedges is beneficial for advanced players, intermediate golfers often find significant improvement by developing a strong relationship with a “favorite chipping club.” This club becomes the go-to for most situations around the green, fostering consistency and predictability.
The Power of Consistency and Feel
When a single chipping club is used repeatedly, a golfer naturally develops a profound sense of how it performs. The feel of the club, how far it flies, its reaction upon landing, and how it rolls out become almost instinctive. This consistent feedback loop allows for a more accurate judgment of distance and trajectory, even in varying lies and situations.
Rather than constantly switching clubs and trying to adapt to different lofts and bounces, focusing on one club allows a golfer to master its nuances. This mastery translates directly into improved touch and control around the green, leading to more successful up-and-downs and fewer costly errors. The predictability offered by a favorite club significantly enhances confidence, which is vital for effective short game play.
Mastering Versatility with One Club
It is often mistakenly believed that sticking to one club limits shot options. However, significant versatility can be achieved with a single wedge by adjusting factors such as ball position, clubface angle, and swing length. A lower-flying, running chip can be executed by positioning the ball further back in the stance with a slightly delofted clubface, while a higher, softer shot might involve a more open clubface and a wider stance.
Through dedicated practice, the ability to manipulate trajectory and roll with a single club can be developed, making it an incredibly potent tool for breaking 90. This approach simplifies decision-making under pressure and builds a reliable foundation for the short game.
4. Sticking to Practiced Shots on the Course
One of the most tempting, yet often disastrous, habits for golfers is attempting shots on the course that have never been practiced. The allure of the “hero shot”—like a high-lofted flop shot over a bunker from a tight lie—can be strong, but without prior practice, the probability of success is exceedingly low, and the risk of a major error is extremely high.
Avoiding Unnecessary Risks
The golf course is not the ideal place for experimentation, especially when aiming to break 90. High scores are often accumulated when unpracticed, low-percentage shots go drastically wrong, leading to multiple strokes to get back into play. A critical aspect of strategic course management is understanding one’s own limitations and sticking to the shots that have been reliably performed on the practice range or chipping green.
Before attempting any shot, particularly a challenging one, a golfer should honestly assess whether they have practiced that specific shot sufficiently to be confident in its execution. If the answer is no, then a more conservative, higher-percentage alternative should be chosen, even if it means laying up or accepting a less aggressive result. Prioritizing bogey avoidance over the pursuit of a miraculous par is a key mindset for those looking to improve their scores.
Building a Reliable Shot Repertoire
Instead of attempting unpracticed shots, the focus should be on building a reliable repertoire of shots that can be executed consistently under pressure. This involves deliberate practice of various types of chips, pitches, and recovery shots. When faced with a challenging situation on the course, the golfer can then confidently draw upon a practiced skill, rather than hoping for a lucky outcome.
For instance, if a flop shot is needed but has not been perfected, a simpler chip-and-run or even a putt from the fringe might be a much safer and more effective option for keeping scores low. The goal is to minimize risk and maximize predictability, ensuring that a disastrous hole is avoided. This disciplined approach is fundamental to consistently breaking 90.
5. Optimizing Par 3 Strategy: Club Up and Aim for the Middle
Par 3s, despite their shorter length, are frequently the source of high scores for many golfers. The pressure to hit the green, combined with common errors in club selection, often leads to missed greens, bunkers, and penalty strokes. A simple yet highly effective strategy for mastering par 3s when striving to break 90 is to “club up” and always aim for the middle of the green.
The Peril of Under-Clubbing
A common mistake on par 3s is to under-club, meaning a club is chosen that does not have enough distance to comfortably reach the target. This often stems from an overestimation of one’s own hitting distance or a desire to “muscle” a shorter club. The result is frequently a shot that falls short, potentially landing in bunkers, water hazards, or thick rough directly in front of the green. These situations almost invariably lead to challenging up-and-downs, often resulting in double bogeys or worse.
To counteract this, it is highly recommended to select one more club than might initially seem necessary. If there is a doubt between two clubs, the longer one should be chosen. For example, if a 7-iron usually reaches the pin, consider hitting a smooth 6-iron. This ensures that the ball at least reaches the green, even with a less-than-perfect strike, significantly reducing the risk of a short-sided miss.
Prioritizing the Center of the Green
Once the correct club has been chosen, the next strategic step is to aim for the largest, safest part of the green, which is almost always the center. Many golfers become fixated on attacking the flag, even if it is tucked away behind a bunker or close to the edge of the green. This aggressive approach dramatically narrows the margin for error.
Aiming for the middle of the green provides a much larger target, increasing the likelihood of hitting the green in regulation. Even if the ball lands far from the pin, a long putt for par is a much better outcome than a challenging chip from a bunker or a drop from a water hazard. A two-putt bogey from the middle of the green is a perfectly acceptable score on a par 3 when working to break 90, as it avoids the disastrous numbers that derail rounds. This conservative but consistent strategy is a cornerstone of effective course management.
Your Breaking 90 Q&A: From Tee to Green
What does it mean to “break 90” in golf?
Breaking 90 means completing a full round of golf (18 holes) with a total score of 89 strokes or less. It’s a common goal for recreational golfers looking to improve their game consistently.
Why is it important to “take your medicine” on the golf course?
Taking your medicine means choosing a safe, conservative recovery shot from a difficult situation instead of attempting a risky, low-percentage shot. This strategy helps you avoid making double or triple bogeys and keeps your scores lower.
How can having a “favorite chipping club” improve my short game?
By consistently using one favorite chipping club, you develop a strong feel for how it performs, its trajectory, and how the ball rolls out. This leads to greater consistency, better touch, and more confidence around the green.
What is a good strategy for playing Par 3 holes?
For Par 3s, it’s recommended to “club up” (choose one club longer than you think you need) and always aim for the middle of the green. This minimizes the risk of missing short into hazards and helps you achieve an easier two-putt bogey or par.
Why should golfers stick to only using practiced shots during a round?
Attempting shots on the course that you haven’t practiced leads to a very low chance of success and a high risk of errors that increase your score significantly. It’s better to rely on shots you’ve mastered to minimize mistakes.
