If you’re sitting on the edge of breaking 100, you’re not alone. One Redditor recently shared their journey dropping from 120-plus to nearly breaking 100. Of course, everyone wanted to know how they did it and what the one magic tip was to get it done. I’m not sure there is just “one” thing that can help you start breaking 100, though. Here are a few that I would suggest and that I’ve seen work.

Take Lessons — Then actually practice

This one isn’t the shortcut that most golfers want to hear. However, taking lessons and then practicing what you learned from them does make a difference. Lessons create understanding, help ensure you aren’t reinforcing bad habits and establish some consistency in your golf game.

If you’ve tried lessons and they didn’t work, try a new professional or ask for a way to practice what you’ve learned the right way. Also, consider a playing lesson or short-game lessons to change things up a bit.

Chipping and putting have to be the focus

You’re not going to break 100 by hitting perfect 7-irons. In fact, even gaining an extra 10 yards on your driver probably won’t be enough to help you break 100. However, if you can stop chunking your chip shots or make a fewer three-putts, it’s going to matter.

Try learning to simplify your short game. Keep the ball lower to the ground and putt every chance you have from the green. Shot Scope has done studies showing how effective it is to putt versus hitting a high-lofted lob shot into a green.

If you can chip it close and two-putt, you’ll have some of the skills necessary to break 100.

Stop taking hero shots

While eliminating these hero shots may not be enough on their own to help you break 100, they certainly can’t hurt your score. Stop thinking that the one big swing is going to fix the hole. It won’t.

Punch out when you’re in the trees. Hit a hybrid if your driver’s inconsistent that day. Aim away from trouble, even if it means a longer putt or a bogey on that hole.

Play for bogey on every hole

If your goal is to break 100, then you can give up on the concept of making a par on every hole. Instead, look at a bogey as your version of par. If you were to bogey all 18 holes on a par-72 course, you would shoot 90. Sometimes putting the pressure on yourself to make a par increases the difficulty and encourages poor decision-making.

Don’t chase pins. Get on the green in three for a par-4 and make safer decisions. You’ll eliminate quite a few of the double bogeys.

Track stats — and be honest

Stat tracking is not just for the professionals. It’s potentially even more effective for golfers who are looking to break 100 for the first time. Chances are that the “one thing” you think is holding you back from breaking 100 is not the problem.

If you use Strokes Gained tracking, you may find that you play like a 20-handicap golfer in every area of your game but chipping. From there, your path to breaking 100 will be quick and seamless.

Final thoughts

Breaking 100 isn’t about perfection. It’s about limiting disasters. Perhaps there’s one thing on this list that you haven’t tried yet but if you’re serious about reaching this milestone, I would consider all of the above. Lessons give you a foundation, short-game precision saves you strokes and smart decisions keep you out of trouble. You are probably closer to breaking 100 than you think.

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