Anyone scoring in the 90s is averaging somewhere between 5.0 and 5.5 per hole. To do this you
must have the ability to hit some good shots and make plenty of pars and bogeys. The key shots I will talk about here will definitely help you maintain a level of consistency in the 90s (if you are a high 90s shooter) and greatly enhance your chances to move into the 80s (if you are a low 90s shooter).
To break 90 your aim should be to average below 5 per hole. A good way of doing it is to play against 5’s during the round; assume every hole is a par 5 and keep score accordingly. In this scenario, the par 3’s represent an excellent chance to pick up a shot or two and the shorter par 4’s are another good opportunity. The longer par4’s and the par 5’s should be played with caution, trying not to make a big score.
Remember 89 (assuming par of 72) can be made up of:
• 1 par and 17 bogeys
• 3 pars, 13 bogeys and 2 double bogeys
• 5 pars, 9 bogeys, 4 double bogeys
Three key shots for breaking 90:
1. Driver – reliability is more important than distance at this level.
Consistent contact and a predictable shot shape will ensure you
keep the ball in play.
2. 150yd approach shot – need a club that you are confident in
hitting the green or fringe from this distance more often than
not. A higher lofted (25 degrees) hybrid can be ideal for this.
3. Pitch shot – can consistently hit the middle of the green from
30-100yds with a choice of at least two wedges.
It also goes without saying that you should be trying your best to avoid having any penalty shots and also working hard on your putting to avoid 3-putting. To break 90 and average less than 5 shots per hole requires you to execute the key shots well combined with a good consistent mental approach. If things start to go wrong don’t panic, don’t force things, stick to the plan, relax and trust yourself to hit the key shots nicely.