Golfers aiming to consistently score in the 80s can benefit from advice published in the February 2001 issue of GOLF Magazine. The article emphasizes a simple mindset focused on eliminating major mistakes rather than perfect play. By avoiding double bogeys and worse, mid-handicappers can achieve scores under 90 with relative ease.
Golf instruction often evolves, but enduring principles remain valuable. A feature from GOLF Magazine's February 2001 edition offers straightforward guidance for golfers stuck in the low 90s, highlighting the psychological barrier to lower scores. The piece argues that even shorter hitters can regularly post mid-to-high 80s without severe issues like yips or shanks.
For a par-72 course, breaking 90 requires a score of 89, which equates to 17 over par. This means securing just one par while bogeying the remaining 17 holes suffices, underscoring the importance of avoiding anything worse than bogey. The key strategy for mid-handicappers is to eradicate double bogeys and higher penalties, making sub-90 rounds achievable.
Common causes of doubles include penalty strokes from hazards or out-of-bounds, mishandled shots near the green, and three-putts. To counter penalties, players should avoid unnecessary risks, opting for conservative play that targets bogey when trouble looms. This approach often yields unexpected pars, far preferable to sixes or sevens.
Around the greens, simplicity is crucial: focus on basic chipping and pitching to get the ball close, ensuring the next shot is a putt rather than a heroic flop. For putting, awareness begins off the green—study contours to leave uphill or flat second putts, reducing three-putt risks. On lag putts, aim for a favorable miss that avoids downhill sliders.
By addressing these errors—penalties, flubs, and three-putts—golfers can eliminate disastrous shots. The article posits that solid scoring stems not from brilliance but from consistency, positioning players to challenge even 80 soon after mastering 90.
