If you’re looking to achieve a milestone in your golf game in 2026 — say, breaking 100 for the first time — what’s the best way to practice to achieve that goal?
GOLF Teacher to Watch John Hughes, who is based at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Fla., offered some useful guidance.
“Look at what’s going to keep you in play, and practice what’s going to keep you in play,” he said. “At the 100-shooter level, it’s not about how far you can hit it. The truth of the matter is you’re not keeping it in play.”
Hughes suggested using 3-wood off the tee instead of driver when accuracy is a priority, and taking an additional club on approaches into the green to ensure you don’t end up short.
“What do you do to make better decisions related to keeping yourself in play?” Hughes said. “Because the stats are there. You, as a 100-shooter, have more penalty shots. You’ve got more load that you don’t necessarily need to carry.”
Another suggestion from Hughes: Shed the weight of your expectations.
“Toss them out the window,” Hughes said. “Whether it’s a 100-shooter or one of the tour players I work with, expectations need to be left at the door.
“Stick with a process, stick with your goals,” he continued. “What are your goals? Are they specific enough? A great example is always putting. If you eliminate 3-putts, that’ll knock [your handicap] down. But then from 90 to 80, what if you made decisions that ensured you won’t make more than bogey on par 3s and par 5s? Because those are the blow-up holes for that handicap level.”
Hughes emphasized that it’s also important to maintain a healthy perspective on where golf resides on your list of life priorities.
“If golf’s No. 7, it’s not No. 3, then let’s level it down,” he said. “Let’s take some of that expectation out of there because realistically, you’re not going to get there. So why are you putting that undue pressure on yourself?”
As you prepare for a new year in golf, give Hughes’ suggestions a try by cutting down the pressure you’re putting on your performance. Instead, focus on giving yourself the best chance of keeping the ball in play and out of trouble on every shot — and your score will thank you.
