How to Break 90 in Golf: The 6 Most Important Things to Do

Breaking 90 may seem impossible for beginners or those with swing problems. This is not true.

I’ve worked with hundreds of students who thought they would never break 90 consistently, and we got them there. It takes time and effort to break 90, but it also requires a mindset.

I’m going to show you not only how to break 90 in golf but what breaking 90 looks like. This may help you see the potential in your golf game.

 

What Breaking 90 Looks Unlike on The Scorecard

Understanding what it means to break 90 on a scorecard is the first step. We will be looking at a par 72 course and some other ways to break 90.

Some golfers think their round is over when they make a triple-bogey. This is not true. Let’s look at what breaking 90 looks like on the golf course.

One Better Than Bogey

Par	4	4	3	5	4	4	3	5	4	4	5	4	3	4	5	3	4	4	72
Score	5	5	4	5	5	5	4	6	5	5	6	5	4	5	6	4	5	5	89

 

Bogey golf is something you’ve probably heard of. Bogey golf lets you score one more than the par 72 standard and shoot 90. On some holes, a par is good, while on others, it is not.

You will only need one par with 17 other players to break 90. Many players find it easier to make a par on par 5, as you can often get close to the green for the approach shot.

This one better than bogey is definitely a better choice for consistent players.

Make up for the Bad Hole

Par	4	4	3	5	4	4	3	5	4	4	5	4	3	4	5	3	4	4	72
Score	5	5	4	8	5	5	4	5	5	5	5	5	4	5	5	4	5	5	89

 

Is it more realistic to have your golf game score an 8 during your round? That is something we can understand. But, even if you score an 8, you can still break 90. To make up for the 8 you will need to make 3 pars. All your holes can still be considered bogeys.

If you have a big number on a hole, focus on the next few par 3’s or par 5’s and simply try to ensure you par them. If you do this, and then play your normal bogey-golf, you can still break the 90 mark on the course.

The Double Bogey Golfer

Par	4	4	3	5	4	4	3	5	4	4	5	4	3	4	5	3	4	4	72
Score	4	6	3	7	4	5	4	6	4	6	7	5	3	5	6	4	5	5	89

 

Are you one of those players who can make double bogeys and still be able to par holes? This is how it looks when you can make double bogeys while still being able to break 90. Although this scorecard shows that golfers are inconsistent and unpredictable, it still shows that the average golfer shoots lower than 90.

Double bogey is not a problem. You can simply replace them with pars to get a lower score. This scorecard contains five pars (four doubles and nine birdies), and four doubles (four more). It should be easier to see your way to breaking 90 when you look at a round.

Also, there are many options to make this happen.

 

How long does it take for an average golfer to break 90?

The average golfer takes between two to four years before they break 90. However, just because you start playing golf consistently, it doesn’t mean you are on a path to being able to break 90. To break 90, there is a lot of skill development that must be done.

Players must first be consistent. If you are not consistent in the shots you hit, it’s going to take considerably longer to break 90.

We all expect tee shots to turn right there and there, or thick grass that mess up a chip shot. But, you must be consistent with your shots.

You must also maintain a consistent yardage to break 90. It’s fine to hit one 7 iron 135 yards and the next three 140. You will have trouble if your shot goes 140 yards, the next 120 yards, and the next 160.

In the two- to four-year period that follows starting golf, players can begin to feel more comfortable with their putting stroke and chipping stroke. Your chances of breaking 90 will increase significantly if you understand how to get a golf club to stop on the green.

 

The 6 Most Important Things that Helped me Consistently Break 90 in golf

Even though I’ve been a professional golfer for more than 15 years when I was younger, I struggled with breaking 90. I was young at the time so I assumed my inability to consistently break 90 was due to a lack of distance.

I was not a big child, so hitting greens in regulation was a challenge for me. However, this helped me narrow down the exact steps required to break 90 consistently. If you can master these things, your first round of breaking 80 might be within reach.

1. Develop a Pre Shot Routine

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the idea that your scoring is all that matters on the golf course. If you want to break 90, great players and PGA Tour players know that certain things must be in place.

All of this starts with teaching your body how you can repeat a golf swing. This is best done by practicing pre-shot routines.

You have a better chance of creating a swing that is more relatable if you do the same thing before every shot.

Your pre shot routine doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be as simple a one-shot practice swing, an alignment technique and a simple swing. Your golf swing will naturally flow if you keep your pre shot routines simple.

My key piece of advice is to practice your pre-shot routine.

You should practice your pre shot routine and ball striking skills before you head to the driving range. You should practice as a warm up for the course. Take your time and hit each shot. Make sure you have a pre shot routine.

2. Tee Shot that Lands on The Fairway

The first tee can be a disaster for many golfers. If you’re not confident with your golf swing, the first tee shot could be a disaster. Many players find that the driver causes too much trouble on their first tee.

If you are worried, start your round off with a 5 Wood or a long Iron from the first Tee.

Let’s remember here you are working to break 90, not trying to shoot 72.

You can two putt if you take three shots to reach the first green. Then you can move on to hole 2. You won’t be in a bad position, and your score won’t show those nerves you had on the first tee box.

As you get warmed up and more confident, don’t be afraid to take the driver out. If you drive straight and hits the fairway center, you will have a chance to make a par.

When golf shots don’t end up in the fairway, you may bring a double bogey into play, which must be avoided when consistently trying to break 90 in golf.

3. Learn how to work around hazards

Hazards can be a problem when it comes to scoring. They are found all over the course. To lower your scores, you need to learn how to avoid hazards.

Some golfers need help in aiming better, while others need to be more accurate with their approach shots. To help you determine the distances between hazards and yards, make sure you have a GPS or rangefinder.

This includes sand traps. There is no reason to pick a club that puts your ball in danger if you’re laying up on a par 5. Even if your shot takes a little longer, it is important to avoid the hazards.

Use alignment sticks to improve your aiming. You’ll be able to stay clear of the hazards the next time that you are on the course. Remember, it’s perfectly acceptable to aim away from the water as long as your aiming does leave you in another hazard.

4. You can trust a Sand Wedge

For some golfers, the sand can be scary. To consistently break 90, you have to overcome your fear of the sandy. I’ll start out with some good news here; the sand is not that scary. Some golfers find that a sand shot can be more difficult than a chip shot in certain situations.

A sand wedge should have at least 56 degrees loft and bounce.

Next, find a practice bunker that you can use for work.

It’s complicated to work on sand shots unless you are hitting out of the sand. The simplest way to hit a sand shot is to ensure that you are aware of the fact that you must hit some sand with your ball.

I like to imagine a spot that is about two inches behind my ball. Once I have my spot, I just try to hit it and execute my shot.

If you want to escape the trap regularly, the sand wedge must become a favorite club. You should aim to get the ball out the sand in a position where you can putt.

If you’re looking to go lower that 89, you might want to try to get the ball near the hole and practice distance control. However, this can take some time.

5. Stop 3 Putting

The three putting must be eliminated! Three putts are the best way to improve your golf game.

There are some things you can do to reduce the 3 putts. This will make it easier to hit the hole.

It is important to get confident with putts of four feet or under.

From a lag-putting standpoint, it’s much easier to hit anything less than 4 feet. You only need to make the first putt within a 4-foot radius to be able to walk away with your putts.

You might also want to think about where your approach shots are taking you. Sometimes, poor chipping can lead to you missing more putts. You can eliminate the 3 putts by focusing on getting your chips within a 15- to 20-foot radius of the hole.

Here’s the best thing about putting, you can practice it from the comfort of your own home! You don’t need to worry about finding a practice location; work on your putting stroke a few minutes each day, and you will see some major improvements.

6. Learn about Course Management

Golf course management is more about strategy than your actual golf swing. We all have golf holes that we can’t stand. The one that turns into 9 every time you attempt to go low.

These things are primarily within our heads. You have just as many chances to make a 9-foot bogey as you do to make a 9.

Learn how to manage a course.

Play a different approach if you find a hole that is difficult. Find the best angle for your approach shot. If the pin is on the right side of the green, it’s easier to approach from the left.

You should also consider the problems around the hole rather than just focusing on the pin. If there are sand traps near a hole location I may just try to hit the center of green and see what happens.

It’s much easier to make two-putts from the center than from a bunker.

Great course management is a key ingredient in being an intelligent golfer. It’s something that anyone can learn.