Breaking 100 is a great challenge. We’re here to help you with 5 simple tips to help you achieve this. As well as the 5 tips, we give a realistic plan of how to break 100.
No Hero Shots
Now this is so important that we mention this again as a reminder in our Break 80 article. This is a simple start and our number 1 tip. Absolutely no hero shots. What do we mean. If you feel that any shot has an element of avoidable risk, then make the safe, easy shot choice instead. For example, you’ve found yourself 20 yards short of the green, between you and the pin is a large bunker. Bunkers are a common weakness for higher handicaps. Knowing this causes a lack of confidence and you’ll be conscious of the bunker affecting you mentally. So don’t play over it. Play the safe shot. Go around the bunker instead. If you still have a line to the green, even better. You never know, you may make the long putt. Avoiding unnecessary risks will help keep disaster holes off your scorecard.
The Punch Shot
You’re going to find yourself in trouble. This is inevitable. A punch shot is your most effective way out of many scenarios. More often than not, this will be of most use when surrounded by trees. So what’s a punch shot? The short video below by Golf Sidekick explains perfectly and offers much advice. Learn this skill and it will forever help you in a tight spot.
Aim for the Centre of the Green
Do not go pin hunting. You need to give yourself the maximum likelihood of avoiding trouble and getting on the green. The best method for your approach shot is to aim for the middle of the green. This tactic carries through to breaking 90 and 80. Even pros do this when it suits. Your priority should be the green, then putt to the hole. It’s an easy yet overlooked simple strategy. Don’t expect to hit the green, but let’s maximise the probability of you landing on the green. Simple.
Identify your Best Clubs
What we really mean here is “find the clubs you hit well” more often than the others. Try and identify three clubs:
- Your longest hitting club – this could be a Driver, 3w, 5w, 7w, hybrid, or mid to long iron. For years my preferred long club was a 3W, including when I first broke 80.
- Your go to mid-length club – a short or mid-iron, that will be used often for your approach shots. Or simply to make some yardage up a long fairway. Mine choice here is an 8i.
- A club for chipping – Your favourite club to use around the green, gap wedge (e.g. 54o), pitching wedge, 9i, or even your putter if you prefer. Find it and practice with that one club until you break 100. My preference is a 9i for chipping.
Get a Lesson
The most frequent phrase I read on social media by those asking for help is “I’m looking for consistency….”. This is by golfers of all handicaps. Consistency is the answer to golf. If you’re struggling to choose any favourite club then you’re lacking consistency. In this scenario we strongly recommend a series of coaching lessons. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn in just one lesson. Here’s a great article about an experience of having lessons for the first time, pros and cons. Make sure you make the effort to practice and have patience to work in suggested changes. It’s rarely easy. Trust the coach.
Plan to Break 100
Your target score is 99 or better. Basic math, assuming a par 72 course, gives a buffer of +27 shots over par across 18 holes. Below is an example of what to aim for. This scenario is balanced. Aim to hit the same number of Pars as Triple Bogeys, and the same amount of bogeys as Double Bogeys. Sounds simple right? Well, it works. If you hit 9x Triple Bogey and 9x pars, you will hit your target of 27. Hit 8x Par, 8x Triple Bogey, 1x Bogey and 1x Double Bogey, and guess what, you still hit 27. These scenarios are a little unrealistic, hence the scenario below is more representative of what you should aim for.
Bonus
The below motivational phrase is by one of the most famous coaches of our generation. Martin Hall of Golf Pass and School of Golf. We wish Martin Hall all the best after finishing his 15 year stint on the show in April 2025.
“If you keep on doing what you’ve been doing, you’ll keep on getting what you’ve been getting. So, make the change, and make it now.”
Martin Hall, PGA Coach
Summary
If you have your own experience of breaking 80, 90 or 100, we’d love to hear your experience, advice or any tips you would offer someone else. Simply share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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