Nina Caldwell
Golf is a challenging sport, and for many, breaking 100 is a significant milestone. While it may seem daunting, it is achievable with dedication and practice. To break 120, golfers should focus on their swing, chipping, and putting skills. Improving their swing sequence will help them make better contact with the ball, while mastering chipping and putting can save strokes and improve scores. Additionally, golfers should aim for consistency and accuracy rather than long drives, and choose the right equipment, such as graphite shafts and hybrids, to improve their performance. With a sound strategy and perseverance, golfers can celebrate breaking 120 and continue to improve their game.
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What You'll Learn
Focus on your short game
To break 120 in golf, you need to focus on your short game. The short game includes putting, chipping, and pitching. Here are some tips to improve your short game:
Chipping
Chipping is an incredibly important skill in golf. To chip the ball consistently within a few feet of the hole, you need to master the setup. When hitting a chip shot, your hands should be in front of the ball at impact, with the club traveling down to compress the ball. You can also try gripping further down on the shaft and using a narrower stance to make a smaller swing in a controlled manner.
Pitching
When hitting pitch shots, you should still follow the mechanics of your swing. Take a slightly closed stance and square the face. On the backswing, let your right wrist hinge so that the handle stays close to you. On the downswing, turn your body and hips toward the target, keeping them level. To get the ball airborne, you must hit the ground and make a divot.
Bunker Shots
When hitting a bunker shot, you want your club to enter the sand before the ball and exit the sand after the ball. To produce this motion, position the ball more forward in your stance and dig your feet into the sand.
Distance Control
Distance control is key to scoring well. The most important variable for distance control is your backstroke length. Different length strokes produce different speeds and therefore predictable distances. Keep your body and weight still and balanced throughout the stroke.
Putting
Putting leaves the least amount of room for error when approaching a golf hole, but it requires the most practice. To improve your putting, consider using technology like HackMotion to see your strengths and weaknesses and develop a more consistent score.
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Practice chipping and pitching
Chipping and pitching are incredibly important skills in the game of golf. If you don't know how to consistently chip the ball within a few feet of the hole, you are going to have trouble shooting good scores. All golfers miss greens, so you will need your chipping game to bail you out on at least a few occasions during a round.
To improve your chipping and pitching, you should practice chipping and pitching until you can consistently land your wedge shots onto the green on the first try. You should also master the half pitch shot, learning to trap the golf ball. It is a building block for almost every shot.
When chipping, you should decide how hard you're going to hit the ball before you make the stroke and commit to that speed. Deceleration will get you mishits. Adjust the length of the backswing to the strength of the stroke—don't try to hammer it with a 3" backswing or feather it with a 3/4 swing. No wrist action, minimal body movement, let the forward arm lead, and commit to how hard you want to hit it.
Club choice also counts in chipping. Many newer golfers chip exclusively with their highest lofted club and try to hit high pitches that spin and stop like the pros on TV. However, this is not always the best approach.
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Improve your swing sequence
The golf swing sequence is an extremely complex motion, but it can be improved by breaking it down into basic categories and focusing on the individual components. Here are some tips to improve your swing sequence:
Understand the Basics
First, it is important to understand the basics of a good golf swing. The sequence should always be the same: shift towards the target, rotate your body open, then rise into the finish. This specific order of shift, turn, and rise, creates a chain reaction that delivers maximum power to the golf ball. During the backswing, the clubhead should move away from the ball in a straight line, and it is crucial to keep your elbows close to your body.
Practice in Slow Motion
One of the best ways to improve your swing sequence is to practice in slow motion. This approach has been used by some of the greatest players in history, such as Tiger Woods and Ben Hogan. By slowing down the swing, you can better understand the different components and make more deliberate movements. This deliberate practice will help you improve your swing at full speed.
Focus on Rotation
Improving your rotation during the swing can help you achieve effortless power and more consistency. A good way to think about your swing tempo is by using a ratio or word cadence to discover your personal rhythm. Additionally, pay attention to the ball's position in relation to your feet. The ball should not be too far back towards your trail foot, as this can cause a steep swing.
Master the Fundamentals
To swing a golf club effectively, you must master the fundamentals: gripping, body positioning, and swing execution. The grip is crucial as it is your only connection to the club. Pay careful attention to the placement and firmness of your hands. During the swing, your hips and torso should work independently. Focus on keeping most of the pressure on your lead foot during short-game pitch shots, and gradually shift the pressure forward as you transition to the downswing.
Understand the Conditions of Impact
To correct mistakes in your swing sequence, it is important to understand the conditions of impact. Set your hips 30-40 degrees open to the target line and keep your shoulders parallel to the target line. Start with small and slow swings, duplicating these impact conditions, before progressing to bigger and faster swings.
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Play the percentages
To break 100 in golf, you need to play the percentages. It's not as difficult as you might think to shoot in the 90s. Most players overcomplicate the process by buying more expensive clubs and making too many swing changes at once. But breaking 100 is all about managing your game and setting realistic expectations.
For example, if you're averaging a 120 right now, you might need to set more short-term goals first, like 110 or 105. Then, once you're shooting around 105 or less, you can implement fundamentals and strategies to help you finally break 100.
To break 100, you don't need any pars or birdies. All you need is 9 bogeys and 9 double bogeys. To achieve this, you need to play the percentages, have a game plan, and don't try to be a hero. Remember, your goal is to break 100, not 80. Keep this mindset throughout the round, especially during bad shots or a bad string of holes, to help you finally reach your goal.
You can break 100 without hitting one green in regulation. The point is to have nothing worse than a bogey putt as your first putt on any hole. If at any point you're facing a shot where you think it could cost you a stroke if you don't pull it off, just lay up! Hit the easy shot and save yourself the trouble. Taking any risks could lead to a snowball hole, and all of a sudden, you make a 10 or worse. Even if you're 150 yards from the green out of the rough, just hit the wedge and then worry about the next shot from the fairway.
To break 100, you should almost always play graphite shafts. Graphite shafts are lighter than steel shafts and make it easier to create speed. The more speed, the more distance you get on every shot. Aside from graphite, you also want to make sure they are lightweight (in both irons and woods). Too heavy shafts can alter your swing path, reduce overall distance, and lead to injuries.
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Choose the right equipment
Choosing the right equipment is essential to improving your golf game and enjoying it. Here are some tips to help you select the right gear:
Assess Your Skill Level and Goals
Recognize your strengths and weaknesses on the course. Beginners may benefit from forgiving and easy-to-hit clubs, while intermediate and advanced players may seek more control and precision.
Golf Clubs
Golf clubs are the backbone of your equipment. The type of club you choose will depend on your skill level and playing style.
- Drivers: These are designed for distance off the tee. Choose a forgiving driver with a higher loft (10.5-13 degrees) and a regular graphite shaft.
- Fairway Woods or Hybrids: Opt for one reliable wood or hybrid with a loft between 18-21 degrees.
- Irons: Irons are versatile clubs with varying lofts, ideal for approach shots to the green. Beginners should focus on short irons to learn accuracy and consistency. Choose irons with a low centre of gravity, high launch, and a large sweet spot. Look for the term “oversized” when shopping for beginner irons. You can start with a 9, 8, 7, and 6 iron, and eventually work your way up to a full iron set.
- Wedges: These are crucial for short shots around the green and out of bunkers. Carry at least two wedges in your bag, such as a pitching wedge and a sand wedge.
Golf Balls
Golf balls vary in construction, compression, and spin rate. Beginners should opt for softer balls that are more forgiving on mishits.
Golf Bag
Select a bag that suits your needs. There are three main options for beginners:
- Cart Bag: Designed for use on a golf cart, with a heavier base that sits in the cart's well. It offers large pockets and can accommodate up to 14 clubs.
- Carry or Stand Bag: This bag is meant for walking the course and provides portability.
- Sunday Bag: A lightweight option for those who want to carry only a few essential clubs.
Golf Shoes
Invest in a good pair of waterproof golf shoes with soft spikes. They provide stability and comfort during your swing and walk on the course and offer a firmer foundation.
Glove
Wear a glove on your non-dominant hand to improve grip and reduce friction for a more consistent swing.
Clothing
Choose clothing that aligns with the dress code of the golf course and provides comfort and flexibility for your game.
Accessories
Some useful accessories include tees (2.5 inches or more in height), a towel to keep your hands and equipment clean, and a putter, which you will use on the green.
Remember to test out equipment before purchasing whenever possible. Enjoy the process of fine-tuning your gear and embrace the journey towards improving your golf game.
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Frequently asked questions
Breaking 120 in golf is all about managing your game and setting realistic expectations. You need to play the percentages and have a game plan. Focus on your equipment, and make sure you have the right clubs. Take lessons, practice, and play more. Work on your short game, chipping, and putting.
To break 120, you need to focus on eliminating triple bogeys or worse. You can do this by improving your swing sequence and making better contact with the ball. You should also practice your chipping and pitching to increase your consistency.
When it comes to equipment, graphite shafts are recommended as they are lighter and make it easier to create speed and distance. Make sure your equipment is lightweight, especially irons and woods. Get rid of any irons longer than a 5-iron as they are harder to hit accurately.
The time it takes to break 120 in golf varies. On average, it takes 6-12 months to start seeing progress and improving your scores. With dedicated practice and a good strategy, you can break 120 within a relatively short period.
