For many golfers, breaking 100 is one of the biggest milestones in the game. Yet too many players believe they need to hit longer drives, attack every flag and produce spectacular golf shots to get there.
In reality, consistently shooting under 100 is usually about something much simpler.
PGA Professional Aaron Holtom explains how changing your strategy - not your expectations - can make breaking 100 far more achievable.
Rather than chasing pars and birdies, Aaron shows why making consistent bogeys is often the quickest route to lower scores.
The Simple Formula for Breaking 100
Aaron begins by looking at a typical par four measuring around 320 to 340 yards.
Most amateur golfers immediately think about making par. Instead, Aaron asks a different question:
"How do we almost guarantee a bogey?"
If you can consistently make fives on holes like this, you'll be well on your way to breaking 100.
His strategy revolves around four straightforward principles:
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Keep your tee shot in play.
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Make solid contact with your approach.
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Get your pitch shot safely onto the green.
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Two-putt whenever possible.
Notice what isn't included.
There's no requirement to hit booming drives, attack tucked pins or play difficult recovery shots. The objective is simply to avoid the mistakes that lead to doubles, triples and worse.
Why This Works
Many golfers lose shots by trying to hit perfect golf shots. Aaron's approach removes that pressure and focuses on consistency instead. Keeping the ball in play and avoiding penalties will almost always outperform chasing distance or taking unnecessary risks.
Key Takeaway
Breaking 100 isn't about playing spectacular golf. It's about making fewer costly mistakes.
Get Your Pitch Shots on the Green
Once you've worked your way close to the green, the next priority is simple:
Get the ball safely onto the putting surface.
Aaron demonstrates a straightforward 30-yard pitch shot, explaining that this is one of the most important scoring skills for golfers aiming to break 100. Rather than trying to hit a spinning, tour-style pitch, the focus is on producing reliable contact.
His key setup points include:
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Favouring your lead side at address.
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Brushing the grass through impact.
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Making a controlled "9 o'clock to 3 o'clock" swing.
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Finishing tall and balanced.
These fundamentals help golfers develop consistent strike and predictable distance control. The goal isn't to finish inches from the hole every time. It's simply to hit the green and give yourself a realistic chance of a two-putt.
Key Takeaway
When you're inside 30 or 40 yards, consistency is more valuable than perfection. Getting the ball safely onto the green is often the fastest route to lower scores.
Eliminate Three-Putts
The final piece of Aaron's Break 100 strategy happens on the putting green. If you're regularly taking three putts, it's incredibly difficult to shoot under 100. In this video Aaron shares two simple practice drills designed to improve the areas that matter most.
Improve Your Distance Control
His favourite exercise involves looking at the hole while making your putting stroke. Although you wouldn't normally use this technique during a round, it's an excellent practice drill because it shifts your attention away from mechanics and onto the target. Developing better feel for distance is one of the quickest ways to reduce three-putts.
Sharpen Your Short Putting
Aaron also recommends a simple drill where you putt towards a tee rather than a hole. The smaller target demands greater accuracy and improves your ability to return the putter face square at impact. It's an easy exercise that can be practised both at home and on the putting green.
Key Takeaway
Great putting isn't just about holing long putts. It's about controlling distance and becoming reliable from short range. Master those two skills and your scores will quickly improve.
Break 100 by Playing Smarter
Rather than chasing perfection, focus on the shots that matter most.
- Keep the ball in play.
- Advance it sensibly.
- Hit the green.
- Two-putt.
- Repeat.
Over the course of 18 holes, that approach dramatically reduces the costly mistakes that prevent so many golfers from breaking 100.
Aaron Break 100 Checklist
If breaking 100 is your next golfing goal, remember these key principles:
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Prioritise keeping your tee shot in play over maximum distance.
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Focus on solid contact rather than perfect approach shots.
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From inside 40 yards, aim to get every pitch safely onto the green.
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Develop reliable distance control to eliminate three-putts.
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Practise short putts regularly to build confidence.
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Remember that consistent bogeys—not occasional birdies—are the key to breaking 100.
If you're targeting your first round under 100, these simple lessons provide a practical blueprint that every club golfer can take straight onto the course.
About the Author
Aaron Holtom is an Advanced PGA Professional with an MSc in Sports Coaching and has been a full-time teaching professional at Morley Hayes Golf Club for more than 17 years. Working with golfers of all ages and abilities, Aaron combines expert coaching with industry-leading technology, including Trackman, BodiTrak pressure mats and 3D motion capture, to help players improve faster. Alongside individual coaching, he also runs his popular 'Golf Not Golf Swing' group coaching programme, focusing on practical skills, course management and lowering scores.
Find out more at www.golf-not-golf-swing.com.
