What percentage of golfers break 90? Breaking 90 in golf is a significant milestone for many amateur golfers. It represents a solid level of skill and consistency, indicating that the player can navigate a course with competence and confidence. Achieving this goal requires a combination of strategic planning, practice, and mental fortitude. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you break 90 in golf.  To break 90 consistently, Steps 6, 7, and 8 should be a part of your Constitution. BTW- the answer is: not many.

Step 1: Assess Your Current Game

Before you can break 90, you need to understand where your game currently stands. Spend a few rounds keeping detailed notes on your performance. Identify strengths and weaknesses in different areas such as driving, iron play, short game, and putting.

1. Track Your Scores: Keep scorecards from multiple rounds to spot patterns.
2. Identify Weaknesses: Note the areas where you consistently lose strokes. Are you missing fairways, struggling with approach shots, or three-putting frequently?
3. Fairway Percentage:  How many fairways did you hit?  How many went left? How many went right?
4. Greens in Regulation: How many times were you putting for birdie?
5. Number of Putts:  What was your total number of putts?  How many 3 putts?  How well did you putt 4 to 6 footers?
6. Mental Game:  Did you play relaxed?  Were you ever “in the zone”?  If you fell out of the zone, ask yourself WHY.  How well did you manage the course?

Step 2: Set Specific Goals

Setting specific, measurable goals will help you focus your practice and track your progress. These will help you to know what percentage of golfers break 90!

1. Driving Accuracy: Aim to hit a certain percentage of fairways.
2. Greens in Regulation: Set a target for hitting greens on your approach shots.
3. Putting: Aim to reduce the number of three-putts per round.
4. Play it Safe:  After hitting it into trouble, make certain to play it safe and simply get the ball back in play.  Whatever you do, do not follow a bad shot with a stupid decision.  This is not the time to take chances or attempt trick shots.  It’ll only leave you frustrated.

Step 3: Improve Your Driving

Consistently hitting fairways sets up easier approach shots and increases your chances of hitting greens in regulation.

1. Focus on Accuracy Over Distance: Prioritize hitting the fairway over maximizing distance. Use a club you can control well.  Stay patient, and distance can come later.
2. Work on Your Swing Mechanics: Consider taking lessons to refine your swing. Consistent mechanics lead to more accurate drives.
3. Practice Regularly: Spend time on the driving range working on hitting fairways with different clubs.

Step 4: Sharpen Your Iron Play

Approach shots play a critical role in setting up birdie and par opportunities.

1. Dial in Your Distances: Know the exact distances you hit each club. Use a rangefinder or GPS device to help.
2. Practice Different Lies: Practice hitting from various lies, including rough, fairway, and uneven ground.
3. Focus on Target Selection: Always aim for the safest part of the green, avoiding hazards and trouble areas.

Step 5: Develop a Solid Short Game

A strong short game can save strokes and help you recover from missed greens.

1. Chipping and Pitching: Practice a variety of shots around the green. Work on your touch and feel to get the ball close to the hole.
2. Bunker Play: Spend time in the practice bunker to gain confidence in getting out of sand traps.
3. Up-and-Down Practice: Simulate on-course scenarios where you need to get up and down to save par.
4. Uphill Putts:  Do your very best at all times to leave yourself an uphill putt.  They are definitely easier to make.

Step 6: Master Putting

Putting is often the difference between breaking 85 and falling short.

1. Lag Putting: Focus on leaving long putts close to the hole to avoid three-putts. 
2. Short Putts: Practice making putts within 3-5 feet. These are crucial for saving par.
3. Green Reading: Improve your ability to read greens and understand breaks.

Step 7: Course Management 

Smart decision-making on the course can prevent unnecessary strokes.

1. Play to Your Strengths: Use clubs and shots that you are comfortable with. Avoid taking unnecessary risks.
2. Plan Your Shots: Think ahead about where you want to leave your next shot. Aim for the safest target areas.
3. Stay Calm Under Pressure: Maintain a positive attitude and stay focused, especially after a bad shot. Minimize the damage and move on.

Step 8: Mental Game

Golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Staying composed and confident is crucial.

1. Positive Visualization: Visualize successful shots and rounds. Build a positive mindset.
2. Routine: Develop a pre-shot routine to help you stay focused and consistent.
3. Patience: Accept that not every shot will be perfect. Stay patient and stick to your game plan.

Conclusion

Breaking 90 in golf is a realistic and achievable goal with the right approach and dedication. By assessing your current game, setting specific goals, improving key areas, and maintaining a strong mental game, you can consistently score in the mid-80s. Remember, progress may be gradual, but with persistence and hard work, you’ll see improvement and ultimately break through the 85 barrier.