How to Break 90 in Golf: The Bogey Golf Strategy That Works

The Myth of Breaking 90

For a lot of golfers, breaking 90 is the Holy Grail. It’s that moment you go from being “just another weekend warrior” to someone who actually knows their way around a course. Shooting an 88 sounds a whole lot cooler than telling your buddy you limped in with a 97. But here’s the thing—most golfers have a completely warped picture of what breaking 90 really looks like.

They imagine they need to par nearly every hole, sprinkle in a birdie or two, and swing like Rory McIlroy in slow motion. Spoiler alert: that’s not reality. What you actually need is bogey golf. That’s right—boring, conservative, steady bogey golf. And the math checks out.

The Simple Math Behind Bogey Golf

Let’s put it into perspective. Suppose you’re playing a par-70 course. Your knee-jerk thought is that to break 90 you’ll need a bunch of pars, maybe even a birdie. Wrong.

Here’s the math:

• Par 70 + bogey on every hole (that’s +18) = 88.

• Par 72 + bogey on every hole = 90 on the nose.

So you don’t need fireworks. You don’t need “career” shots. You just need to avoid disasters. Double bogeys and triples are the real scorecard killers. Stay in control, manage your way around the course, and bogey golf will sneak you into the 80s before you know it.

Why Bogey Golf Works (Even If It Sounds Lame)

Look, I get it. “Bogey golf” doesn’t sound sexy. But here’s the sneaky part—it actually sets you up for more pars and birdies than chasing hero shots ever will. When you aim to make bogey, you’re playing conservatively, which means:

• More balls in play.

• Fewer penalty strokes.

• Less stress over miracle recoveries.

And funny enough, when you stop trying to force greatness, you often stumble into it. That “boring” layup sets you up for a safe wedge onto the green. That safe middle-of-the-green shot leaves you a 20-footer you might just drain. Suddenly, bogey golf turns into par golf.

Course Management: Your New Superpower

Breaking 90 isn’t about power—it’s about discipline. Good course management is like having a secret caddie whispering in your ear. Here’s how to think like a bogey golfer with a plan:

• Play to the fat side. Stop firing at tucked pins. Hit the middle of the green, two-putt, and walk away smiling.

• Lay up without guilt. Water in front of a par-5? Don’t be a hero. Punch it down the fairway, wedge on, two-putt. Bogey secured.

• Know your go-to clubs. If your 5-iron is butter but your driver slices into next week, guess which one you should be hitting off the tee? Exactly.

• Eliminate the blow-up hole. That’s the difference between shooting 95 and 88.

Tee Shots: Stop Worshipping the Driver

If there’s one mantra for breaking 90, it’s this: keep the ball in play. Every round starts on the tee box, and nothing ruins a bogey-plan faster than a lost ball.

You don’t need to pull out the Big Dog on every hole. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. Sometimes a hybrid, fairway wood, or even a long iron is the smarter play. Think of it this way: would you rather hit driver into the woods or a 5-wood into the fairway? Exactly. Your ego doesn’t sign the scorecard.

Recovery Shots: Don’t Be a Hero

We all land in the trees, bunkers, and rough. That’s golf. But how you respond is the difference between bogey and blow-up.

Here’s the trap: your ego tells you to “pull a Phil Mickelson” and thread a 4-iron through two trees with a 40-yard cut. Reality check? You’re not Phil. And nine times out of ten, that ball is bouncing off bark and into worse trouble.

The bogey-golf play? Punch out, get back in position, and give yourself a chance to save bogey. Remember, bogey is a win. Bogey keeps you under 90.

Three-Putt Prevention: Protect Your Sanity (and Scorecard)

Nothing crushes morale like a three-putt. You’re on the green in regulation (or even in one on a par-3), dreaming of birdie, and suddenly you’re walking off with bogey—or worse.

To break 90, you need to treat the putter like your best friend. Here’s how:

• Lag like a champ. Forget about draining 30-footers. Just get it within 3 feet.

• Eliminate knee-knockers. Practice those short putts until you own them.

• Read greens simply. Don’t overthink it. Pick a line, trust it, roll it.

The fewer three-putts, the more bogeys you turn into pars—and that’s how you cruise into the 80s.

The Mental Game: Golf Between the Ears

Breaking 90 is 20% swing and 80% mindset. Here’s what separates the golfers who get it done:

• Patience over panic. One bad shot doesn’t ruin a hole. One bad hole doesn’t ruin a round.

• Play YOUR game. Stop comparing yourself to scratch golfers. Your only opponent is the scorecard.

• Bogey is success. Stop treating it like failure. Every bogey keeps you on pace.

Golf is cruel enough—don’t beat yourself up more than the game already does.

The Hidden Perks of Bogey Golf

Here’s what no one tells you: bogey golf feels like cheating. You’re managing expectations, playing smarter, and suddenly golf feels easier. And when you stop pressing? That’s when the magic happens.

• You’ll walk off 18 feeling in control, not exhausted.

• Your buddies will wonder why you’re suddenly so consistent.

• You’ll start carding more pars (and even birdies) by accident.

Bogey golf isn’t settling—it’s strategy.

FAQs About Breaking 90 with Bogey Golf

Q: Do I really not need any pars to break 90?

A: Nope! Bogey every hole on a par-70 or par-71 course, and you’re under 90. Pars are bonus points.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake golfers make when trying to break 90?

A: Chasing hero shots. Doubles and triples are the enemy. Play boring, score better.

Q: Should I still practice my driver if I’m playing bogey golf?

A: Absolutely—but don’t force it on the course. Use it when you’re confident. Otherwise, stick to clubs you can control.

Q: How important is putting in breaking 90?

A: Crucial. You can’t afford three-putts. Two-putts are the backbone of bogey golf.

Q: Will this strategy help me break 80 someday?

A: 100%. Master bogey golf first. Once doubles are gone from your scorecard, you’ll find more pars and start dipping into the 70s.

Conclusion: The “Boring” Path to the 80s

Breaking 90 doesn’t require magic—it requires math, patience, and discipline. If you change your mindset and embrace bogey golf, the pressure melts away. Suddenly, golf feels less like a grind and more like a game.

Remember:

• Bogey golf = breaking 90.

• Keep tee shots in play.

• Play smart recoveries.

• Avoid three-putts.

• Stay calm and consistent.

Do that, and your next round might end with you grinning, holding an 88, and finally bragging to your buddies that you’ve joined the “breaking 90 club.”

So go out there, play smarter, not harder, and let bogey golf carry you to your breakthrough.