If I could go back in time when I first started golf I would focus on the chipping/pitching and putting and then work out from there. Practice the 50-100 yd shots with different wedges, etc.. I think the PGA average for GIRs is something like 12 greens per round. So we are going to miss more greens than we hit.

Find the shot you are most comfortable with. Some of my best rounds are when I set my approach to the greens at 130 yards, my 9 iron. I know I’m probably not missing the green from there. Also, chipping and putting can save a ton of strokes.

Short game, short game, short game. Wedges!!! (Vokey wedges are my preference) Putting!!!! SC Fastback 1.5 is my weapon of choice!!

Andy like most replies here the short game is where you can save a lot of shots around the course, a consistent repeatable swing will help off the tee and getting to the green. Depending on your time I would suggest getting a lesson from a PGA professional then working hard on those areas of the game, after a few weeks take another lesson and work on that area, while practicing all aspects of the game. Use a PGA professional to aid in your development using the technology they have to show your progress. PGA Professionals are able to teach in person and over video and we would all be happy to assist in your development.

Thanks for sharing.

Agree. A teaching Pro can see in five minutes what it would take you months (and a lot of frustration) to figure out on your own.

Chipping and putting.

Andy, it’s a mental game. It’s what you put into the game itself and want to get out of it. What I did is hit the range in your off time or before a round (if the course has a range, take advantage of it buy a small bucket) and practice with the clubs you aren’t comfortable with at all in all situations.

I'm a strong believer in being realistic...therefore, don't try to change and work on 5+ things each season. Identify the 2 things max (like 1 long game area and 1 short game area) you will work on for the full season - and do that. Next season - pick 2 more things. Do this year after year after year.

Hi there.

I'm no world beater but a pro with a very good mind on course management.

More than anything at that level the key is to cut down on double bogeys. Best way to do that is to look at what costs you the most shots. Whether that be a lot of lost balls, 3 putting, cant get out of bunkers very well, etc.

The best golfers don't let blow ups damage their score too badly. When in trouble they take their medicine and don't come away with an 8 where a 6 could have been made worst case scenario by biting off more than they can chew.

I 100% agree with the other comments about short game. A couple more putts outside 6 feet and an odd up and down here and there will make a world of difference. But bottom line I would say just try keep the big numbers off your card. Great golf isn't about making loads of birdies it's about not making loads of bogeys and doubles.

Course management, take the safe play, stay out of trouble and set up to a comfortable yardage for a GIR

The best thing about all of these comments is that no one said "go get fitted." I think that is worthwhile of course, but until we straighten out all the other aspects, nothing but hard work and some coaching will get us under 90.

Work smart, not hard.
At best, driver will only be used for 1/6 of your strokes of a 90. Over a third will be putts. Likely there will be more strokes within 100 yards than drives.

Short of putting 2/3of your drives out of play, best to work with a pro on your short game. The more pitches/chips that get to 6 feet or less, the more par/birdie opportunities. 20 feet or less will improve two putts and limit 3 putts

If you struggle with 6 ft putts (1/3 or less), then a putting coach can help with alignment, putter arc, and speed control. It may include from a loft/lie adjustment to a grip/length adjustment to a putter better suited to your stroke. 1 double bogey, 2 pars, and 13 bogeys is an 89.

Each time you play keep track of how many stokes are taken outside 100 yards and how many strokes are taken within 100 yards. You might be surprised at how many of your stokes are within 100 yards. That's the distance you need to practice. Dial in your wedges and get really good at chipping. Develop a solid technique and than practice. Once you have a solid technique, its all about touch and feel. How hard to hit the ball to carry it 20 yards or 40 yards or whatever. That touch and feel comes from repetition. Dedicate twice as much time to short game as you do to full swings and your handicap will drop like the Hindenburg.

Aside from what everyone says about the "within 100 years comments", learn how to 2 putt!

Before your round, go to the putting green and set your ball up as far away as you can from the pin you're aiming toward. Learn to get your first putt as close to the hole as possible and then hit your second putt.

Literally the most important part is putting and once you can learn how to 1-2 putt, your score will fall very quickly.

So much good advice in this thread. Thank you everyone for sharing. This will help me and hope it helps the OP as well.

A few things that (hopefully) will be helpful:

(1) Find a club you can hit consistently off the tee and keep in the fairway - staying out of trouble is more important than distance when you're trying to break 90.
(2) Work on making good and consistent contact with your irons.
(3) Short game, short game, short game. It's easy to lose concentration here and cost yourself several shots a round if you aren't confident in your game.
(4) Lag putting. When you get a feel for the long putts and can put yourself in a position to have fewer three putts, it'll make a huge difference.

***I also agree with getting some regular lessons. Just one a month or two with the same coach will make a world of difference as you progress.

These are all from personal experience, so I hope something in that helps you! Most of all, ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

Okay guys I will give you my advice and yes I play a lot of golf but rarely am I over par and the biggest points for me are

Ball placement off the tee no good hitting it 290 yds into a bunker the Fairways will always be your friend

A good game from around 100 yds to the pin can give you so much confidence but that will only come with practice

Course management should be top priority... if you are in trouble take your medicine don't go for the hero shot that you cannot execute

Have a good attitude and don't be tense especially if you have dropped a shot... forget that hole