Breaking 90 is easier than you think. You just need to do these 2 things

Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a GOLF.com series where the game’s brightest minds share their tips to help you, well, shave strokes! Today, instructor John Hughes shares his easy keys for breaking 90 more often.

For accomplished players, breaking 90 doesn’t seem like much. But for casual players, posting a score in the 80s is the highlight of their year. That’s the beauty of this game — there’s joy to be found in every accomplishment, no matter how small.

For lots of recreational golfers, their main goal is breaking 90. Each time they step to the first tee, that number dances in their mind. Shoot lower than that and it’s a good day. Simple stuff.

For those that have never broken 90, the goal can seem elusive. However, shooting in the 80s is easier than you think. All you need to do is tidy up your scoring on par-3s and par-5s. Below, instructor John Hughes explains how.

How to easily break 90

If you keep up with the statistical averages of the PGA Tour, you know that the average score for par-3s is slightly over par, and slightly under par for par-5s. On par-4s, the statistical average is right around par.

Why is that? Because PGA Tour players have a strategy in mind as they make their plans to play each hole at every tournament. That plan includes scoring no worse than even par for all par-3s and all par-5s.

Instruction

Scoring anything worse than par for these holes is a sure way to lose your Tour card. It could also be why you’re struggling to break 90 when you tee it up each weekend. With that in mind, why not adopt the same strategy to your game? If you can make great decisions on par-3s and par-5s, you can make sure you never shoot in the 90s again.

When you’re on the tee box playing par-3s and par-5s, you’re probably thinking a lot more aggressive than the average Tour player. You believe and think about these holes as the ones where you can make a birdie, and doing so will make up for the bigger numbers you score on par-4s. WRONG! Par-3s and 5s are the holes where you can re-establish confidence in yourself and stabilize your game when things are headed south.

Think about it this way, most golf courses have a total of eight holes that are either par-3s or par-5s. If you make par on eight out of 10 holes and bogey the rest, you shoot 82. Even if you can make par on half of them, you’re setting yourself up to break 90 with ease.

Here are a few tips to help you play these holes smarter, providing you an opportunity to break 90 more often.

Par-3 strategy

Aim smart: Standing on the tee box, it’s imperative you choose a proper target. This often means not taking aim directly at the pin. Instead, make it your goal to hit the center of the green. Don’t worry about choosing a club that’s perfect for attacking the pin. Instead, choose a club that will carry to the center of the green. By aiming for the center of the green, you’re taking trouble out of play and making it more likely you can card a par.

Choose an intermediate target: It’s one thing to pick a smart target, but then you’ve got to make sure you’re actually aimed toward it. Choose an intermediate target in between yourself and the center of the green. Line yourself up with that spot to make alignment easier.

Become a great lag putter: When you hit to the center of the green, you’ll likely have a longer putt than if you’d tried hitting right at the flag (and pulled it off). That’s where being a great lag putter comes in handy. Try using a ladder drill from distance to dial in your feel on longer putts. This will help ensure that you keep the three-putts at a minumum.

Par-5 strategy

Keep the tee shot in play: The most important thing on par-5s is keeping your driver in play. If you’re taking penalty shots off the tee, you’ve got little chance of carding a par. Aim away from trouble and make sure you aren’t taking any unnecessary penalty strokes.

Think twice about going for it: Going for the green in two might be tempting, but think twice about it before you do. If there are obstacles up near the green, it might be wise to lay back in the fairway. Only go for the green in two when the risk-reward calculation is in your favor.