How to Break 100: Step-by-Step Plan for High Handicappers

Breaking 100 is the first major milestone for most golfers. While pros make the game look easy, shooting under 100 is a significant achievement that puts you ahead of nearly 50% of all recreational players. This guide will give you a clear roadmap to consistently break this barrier.

Quick Takeaways

• Realistic expectations are crucial - breaking 100 means averaging just over bogey golf
• Course management, not swing perfection, is your fastest path to lower scores
• The “two-putt maximum” strategy alone can dramatically lower scores for many beginners
• Focus on eliminating penalties and double-chips, not hitting spectacular shots
• A repeatable pre-shot routine builds consistency even with an imperfect swing
• Aim for the center of greens, not at pins, to avoid short-side trouble
• Develop a reliable “get out of trouble” shot to prevent blow-up holes
• Track key metrics like fairways hit, greens in regulation, and total putts to measure progress

Understanding What It Takes to Break 100

Let’s do the math. On a par-72 course, breaking 100 means scoring 99 or loweraveraging about 5.5 strokes per hole. This translates to roughly bogey golf with a few double bogeys mixed in. The good news? You don’t need to hit spectacular shots or drive the ball 300 yards to accomplish this goal.

What’s required is:

• A basic, repeatable swing that gets the ball moving forward
• Smart course management that avoids disaster holes
• A simple short game focused on getting the ball on the green
• Two-putt consistency with the occasional one-putt
• The mental discipline to play within your abilities

“Breaking 100 isn’t about being great at anythingit’s about not being terrible at anything. Eliminate the triple bogeys and beyond, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your scores drop.” Harvey Penick

The Step-by-Step Plan to Break 100

Step 1: Establish Your Starting Point (Week 1)

Before making changes, play three full rounds while tracking these key metrics:

• Fairways hit
• Greens in regulation
• Total putts
• Penalty strokes
• Up-and-down percentage

This data reveals where you’re losing the most strokes and helps tailor your improvement plan. A simple notes app or specialized golf tracking app works perfectly.

Step 2: Develop a Trustworthy Tee Shot (Weeks 2-3)

The Goal: Hit 7+ fairways per round

The biggest misconception among high handicappers is that you need to hit driver on most holes. Instead:

1. Choose a club you can hit consistently, even if it’s a 5-iron or hybrid
2. Aim for the widest part of the fairway, not maximum distance
3. Develop a simple pre-shot routine to build consistency
4. Practice your tee shot for 30 minutes twice weekly, focusing on direction over distance

“Distance is good, accuracy is better, but predictability is best. Know where your miss is likely to be, and play accordingly.” Butch Harmon

Step 3: Master the Two-Putt (Weeks 2-4)

The Goal: No more than 36 putts per round

Many beginners struggle most with three-putts (or worse). Focus on becoming a reliable two-putt golfer with these practice drills:

1. Speed control drill: Place tees at 15, 30, and 45 feet from a hole. Hit 10 putts from each distance, focusing solely on getting the ball within 3 feet of the hole.

2. Three-foot circle drill: Place 8 tees in a circle, 3 feet from the hole. Make 25 consecutive putts without missing. If you miss, start over.

3. Putt to a tee: If practicing without a hole, putt to a tee instead, aiming to have your ball stop at the tee, not past it.

Spend 15-20 minutes three times weekly on these drills. Remember, putting accounts for roughly 40% of your strokesit deserves your attention.

Step 4: Develop a Reliable Short Game (Weeks 3-5)

The Goal: Eliminate double-chips and get the ball on the green from around it

The biggest short game mistakes for high handicappers are trying to hit perfect flop shots and decelerating through impact. Instead:

1. Master the bump-and-run: Use an 8-iron off tight lies, putting stroke, ball position middle to back
2. Standard chip technique:
   • Narrow stance
   • Weight favoring lead foot (60/40)
   • Hands slightly ahead of ball
   • Maintain triangle between arms and chest through stroke

Spend 20 minutes twice weekly practicing from various lies around a practice green.

Step 5: Course Management Makeover (Weeks 4-6)

The Goal: Eliminate penalty strokes and reduce double bogeys

Smart decision-making can drop 5-10 strokes without any swing changes:

1. Play to your strengths: If you slice the driver, aim accordingly or use a different club
2. Aim for the center of greens, never at tight pins
3. Know when to lay up: No hero shots over hazards unless you can clear them 95% of the time
4. Develop a “go-to” trouble shot: A low punch shot to get back in play when you’re in trouble
5. Play the percentages: If you have two options, choose the one with the bigger margin for error

Step 6: Create a Repeatable Pre-Shot Routine (Weeks 5-7)

The Goal: Consistency and focus before every shot

Even tour pros hit bad shots, but they commit fully to each swing. Your routine should be:

1. Simple: 15-30 seconds maximum
2. Consistent: The same sequence every time
3. Decisive: Once you commit, no second-guessing

A basic routine:

• Take one practice swing focusing on tempo
• Stand behind the ball and visualize your target line
• Address the ball with clubface aligned first, then your body
• Final look at target
• Swing with commitment

Step 7: The Practice Protocol (Ongoing)

The Goal: Efficient improvement with limited practice time

If you can practice 2-3 times weekly for 45-60 minutes each session, follow this breakdown:

• 40% short game: Putting, chipping, pitching
• 40% full swing: Focus on consistency, not distance
• 20% course simulation: Practice with consequences, switching clubs and targets

Image 1: Breaking 100 Shot Distribution

This diagram would show a typical round under 100, highlighting the importance of eliminating penalty strokes and three-putts rather than hitting spectacular shots. It illustrates that consistent bogey golf with occasional pars is the fastest path to breaking 100.

The Mental Approach for Breaking 100

Physical skills matter, but your mindset makes the difference between success and frustration:

Adopt the “Bogey Is Good” Mindset

Trying to make par on every hole leads to risky decisions and big numbers. Instead, aim for bogey, which gives you a buffer to break 100. If pars happen, consider them bonuses.

The One-Shot-at-a-Time Philosophy

Don’t dwell on past mistakes or worry about future holes. Each shot is a fresh opportunity, unaffected by what happened before. This mental reset prevents the “snowball effect” of one bad hole leading to another.

The Bounce-Back Strategy

Everyone hits bad shots and has bad holes, even professionals. What separates successful players is how quickly they recover. After a double bogey or worse:

1. Take a deep breath and walk slightly slower to the next tee
2. Remind yourself that one bad hole doesn’t define your round
3. Focus on making a good swing with your most reliable club
4. Set a simple goal for the next hole (hit the fairway, two-putt)

Tracking Your Progress: Key Metrics

To ensure you’re improving in the right areas, track these metrics each round:

1. Fairways Hit (FH): Aim for 7+ per round
2. Greens in Regulation (GIR): Aim for 3+ per round
3. Putts Per Round (PPR): Aim for 36 or fewer
4. Penalties: Aim for 2 or fewer per round
5. Up-and-Down Percentage: Aim for 20%+ success rate

These numbers provide objective feedback on your progress and highlight areas needing attention.

Image 2: Score Breakdown Chart

This chart would illustrate how different aspects of the game contribute to breaking 100, showing the relative importance of eliminating penalties, reducing three-putts, and improving fairways hit versus more advanced skills like shot shaping or increasing distance.

Equipment Considerations for High Handicappers

While technique and strategy matter most, the right equipment can help:

The Forgiving Setup

1. Driver: 10.5+ loft with “draw” or “offset” design helps reduce slicing
2. Irons: Game-improvement cavity backs with wide soles
3. Wedges: Higher bounce (12-14) for forgiving turf interaction
4. Putter: Mallet style with alignment aids
5. Ball: Mid-compression (70-80) for balance of distance and feel

What to Avoid

1. Blades or “player’s” irons: Too little forgiveness for most high handicappers
2. Ultra-low loft drivers: Increase slice tendency and reduce carry
3. Extra-stiff shafts: Unless you have very high swing speed
4. Low-bounce wedges: Make clean contact more difficult

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long should it take to break 100?
A: With focused practice following this plan, most high handicappers can break 100 within 8-12 weeks. However, this varies based on athletic ability, practice frequency, and starting point.

Q: Should I take lessons to break 100?
A: A few focused lessons on fundamentals can accelerate your progress significantly. Look for a teacher who emphasizes simple, repeatable mechanics rather than perfect technique.

Q: What’s more importantpractice or playing?
A: Both are essential. Aim for a 1:1 ratiofor every hour you practice, play an hour on the course. Practice builds skills; playing teaches you to apply them under pressure.

Q: Can I break 100 with a significant swing flaw?
A: Absolutely. Many players break 100 with far-from-perfect swings. A consistent, repeatable motioneven with flawsis more valuable than an occasionally perfect swing.

Q: Should I play from forward tees?
A: Yes! Use appropriate tees for your ability. For most beginning golfers, that means teeing off from the forward tees (often around 5,700-6,000 yards for men, 4,800-5,200 for women). There’s no shame in making the game more enjoyable while you develop skills.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. The “Hero Shot” Syndrome

Attempting difficult shots with low probability of success leads to big numbers. When in trouble, focus on getting back in play, not pulling off miracle recoveries.

2. Obsessing Over Equipment

New clubs might help slightly, but they won’t fix fundamental issues. Invest in lessons before expensive equipment.

3. Ignoring the Short Game

Many beginners spend 90% of practice time hitting full shots, yet 60-70% of strokes occur from 100 yards and in. Balance your practice time accordingly.

4. Playing the Wrong Tees

Forcing yourself to play from championship tees before you’re ready adds unnecessary difficulty and frustration.

5. The Scorecard Focus

Constantly calculating your score during the round creates pressure. Focus on each shot instead, and add up your score after finishing.

Sample Breaking-100 Practice Plan

Week 1: Assessment

• Play three full rounds, tracking key metrics
• Identify your most consistent tee shot club
• Determine your typical misses (slice, hook, etc.)

Weeks 2-3: Foundation Building

• Monday: 30 minutes putting drills, 15 minutes chipping
• Wednesday: 30 minutes with most reliable tee club, 15 minutes putting
• Weekend: 9-hole round focusing on two-putt maximum and avoiding penalties

Weeks 4-5: Skill Development

• Monday: 30 minutes short game, 20 minutes fairway shots
• Wednesday: 25 minutes tee shots, 25 minutes putting
• Weekend: 18-hole round applying course management principles

Weeks 6-8: Integration

• Monday: 20 minutes each on putting, chipping, and full swing
• Wednesday: Course simulation practice (changing clubs, targets)
• Weekend: Competitive round against yourself or friends

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Journey

Breaking 100 is a significant milestone worth celebrating, but remember that golf is ultimately about enjoyment. The process of improvement should be as rewarding as reaching the goal itself.

For beginners and high handicappers, consistency matters far more than perfection. A reliable B-game will beat an inconsistent A-game every time. Focus on eliminating the big mistakes, manage your expectations, and commit to your process.

Most importantly, take time to appreciate the game itselfthe beautiful courses, the camaraderie, and those occasional perfect shots that keep us coming back. Breaking 100 is just the beginning of your golf journey.

Your Breaking-100 Journey

What’s been your biggest challenge in trying to break 100? Share your experiences or questions in the comments below.

We’d love to hear about your breakthroughs or sticking points as you work toward this milestone. Your insights might help other golfers facing similar challenges.

References

1. Golf Digest: “Breaking 100, 90, and 80”

2. National Golf Foundation: “Average Scores Among Recreational Golfers”

3. USGA: “Course Management Fundamentals”

4. Golf Magazine: “The Breaking 100 Practice Plan”

5. PGA of America: “Statistics for the Average Golfer”