The Importance of Putting to Break 90 in Golf
Breaking 90 is a milestone many golfers aspire to reach. What percentage of golfers regularly break 90 in golf? According to the USGA and their handicapping system, roughly 75% of golfers break 90 consistently. But that number is scewed towards those golfers who regularly report their scores. A more realistic number, as reported by the National Golf Foundation states only 29% of golfers actually break 90 consistently. Many golfers who schedule 3-day golf schools in Florida with John Hughes Golf are looking for the golden bullet that allows them to break 90 more often. If not all the time.
While long drives and accurate approach shots are what they think will do the trick, it’s putting that plays the pivotal role in consistently achieving lower scores. In fact, it’s often said that “you drive for show, and putt for dough.” Improving your putting skills is one of the most effective ways to shave strokes off your game and break the elusive 90 more regularly. Here’s why putting matters most. And a few practical suggestions on how to elevate your performance on the greens.
Why Putting is Crucial for Breaking 90
To sum it simply, putting accounts for almost half the total score of a golfer who can’t break 90. Think about this for a second. If hitting every green in regulation allows for 36 total putts per round (18×2=36), that means you are putting more than twice per hole! Cutting to the chase, there’s probably 9 unneeded strokes being added to your score, every time you play golf. If you’re hovering around the 90 mark and can’t seem to get past it, it’s your putting preventing you from achieving this magical and credible goal.
3-Putts Add Up
What I’m stating is, you execute too many “3 putts” per round. What are 3 putts caused by? A bad 1st putt! Not missing the 2nd putt. You’ll need to work on the distance of your first putts to eliminate any chance of 3 putting in the future. That issue is addressed later in the post.
You’ll also need to gain supreme confidence in making more 3-to-4-foot putts. Once you break 90, those putts will most likely never be given to you again. Start making those putts now before you get into the 80’s. And playing with friends becomes more interesting.
Let’s Make Par First
Learning to Improve Your Putting is the quickest way to breaking 90
Learning to make pars is directly tied to your ability to make more putts. Yes, you don’t hit every green. Which is why John Hughes Golf started this series of posts about breaking 90 with the short game. To give you a chance to make more putts when it counts. To make par instead of bogie.
Learning how to strategize to make par provides the foundation to the decisions needed to make more birdies. At the 90-scoring level, you’re lucky if you card 1 birdie a round. But there’s probably a few double and triple bogies on the card. How many of those are directly attributed to putting? You can trace most big scores on any hole to deficient putting skills.
Missing Makeable Putts if Mentally Debilitating
Okay, so you’re on the green in 2, putting for birdie. And you walk off the green carding a bogey. How good do you feel now?
Oh, by the way, you’re going to experience that at least 9 more times this round. You think you feel bad now? Just wait until you make the turn.
Putting can make or break you when it comes to confidence and your emotional stability during a round. Chances are when you execute more than 2 putts on a hole, you’re going to next hole trying to make those extra strokes back. The tension and anxiety you bring to the next tee box from the previous hole you played is more than your brain and heart can handle.
Suggestions to Improve Your Putting so You can Break 90
- Practice Putting – I bet you put minimal time into practicing your putting. When you do dedicate time to practice, odds are you’re making big swings. And walking right by the practice green. Any length of time practicing your putting is better than no time at all.
- Master the Short Putts (Inside 5 Feet) – The short putts are where scores can easily add up. Practice putting from various distances within five feet to build confidence. Try the “around the world drill,”
Making more Short Puts provides you the confidence of knowing you can be more aggressive with your first putt on every hole.
where you place golf balls in a circle around the hole at different positions and aim to make all of them consecutively. This will help you become comfortable with putts that have different breaks and slopes.
- Focus on Lag Putting – Getting your longer putts (20-30 feet or more) close to the hole is essential to avoiding three-putts. Practice distance control by aiming to roll the ball within a three-foot circle around the hole. Try using drills like the “ladder drill,” where you putt from different distances, aiming to stop the ball just beyond an imaginary line (e.g., a club) behind the hole. This helps build touch and feel, which are crucial for lag putting.
- Read Greens More Effectively – Learning to read greens accurately is a skill that can drastically improve your putting. Start by analyzing the slope around the hole and the path your ball will take. Visualize the break and commit to a line before hitting your putt. A common mistake is under-reading the break, so don’t be afraid to aim outside the hole if necessary. When playing a different course, take more dedication, not time, to read these different greens while watching others putt on them. Observe how the ball reacts rolls, assisting you with developing more skill to conquer different green types.
- Improve Your Putting Stroke Mechanics – Consistent mechanics are essential for a reliable putting stroke. The most important mechanic or skill is your ability to stroke a perfectly straight putt. If you can do this, all the other mechanics will fall into place. Such as stabilizing your lower body, keeping your head solid over the spot the ball occupies a half-second longer after hitting the putt. The more freedom of your swing to move in with a consistent rhythm and tempo, the better. Drills such as the “putting stick”, or “the gate drill,” place emphasis on your ability to hit straight putts while making your mechanics that much more solid.
- Establish a Routine – Having a consistent putting routine can greatly improve focus and confidence. Develop a routine that includes reading the putt, aligning your ball, taking practice strokes, and envisioning each putt as if you made it. Before executing the putt. Repeating this same process with every putt helps you stay calm under pressure and keeps your mind focused on the task.
- Track Your Putting Stats – Keeping track of your putting statistics, such as the number of putts per round, three-putts, and putts made from certain distances, can help identify areas for improvement. Knowing your tendencies allows you to adjust your practice routine to target specific weaknesses.
Conclusion: Putting Provides You the Opportunity to Consistently Break 90!
If you’re still not convinced putting has a direct and long-lasting effect to you consistently breaking 90, I’m not sure what will convince you.
For golfers whose goal is to break 90, the game changer is putting. And your ability to improve your putting skills. Reducing the number of putts per round directly saves strokes. And builds confidence, reduces pressure, and creates a positive mindset throughout the round. By focusing on key aspects like short putts, lag putting, reading greens, and refining your stroke mechanics, you’ll be setting yourself up for more consistent scores and better chances of breaking 90.
Touring professionals dedicate significant amount of practice time to putting. Yes, they’re great ball strikers. But they know where the strokes can add up the most. If amateur golfers took a hint from the touring professionals and spent focused time practicing your putting, there’s no telling how your score can reduce. Noticeably and immediately.
Count on working on your putting when scheduling a 3-day golf schools in Florida with John Hughes Golf. You’ll be glad you did.