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The Last 10 Rules You Will Ever Need to Easily Break 90 Every Time (It's Like Cheating)
Jerome Rufin
Overview
This video introduces a scoring system for golf designed to help amateur players break 90 and improve their overall game. The core philosophy shifts focus from swing mechanics to strategic course management and scoring. Key principles include playing conservatively on difficult holes, understanding "scoring zones," eliminating double and triple bogeys, and focusing on process over outcome. The video also touches on the mental game, handling pressure, and the importance of being present, illustrated by the coach's personal near-death experience. It emphasizes that consistent scoring comes from smart decisions and managing risk, not necessarily from having a perfect swing.
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Chapters
- Most golf instruction focuses on swing technique, neglecting actual scoring strategy on the course.
- The goal is to get the ball in the hole in fewer shots, which often means playing differently than perceived 'correct' golf.
- Amateurs often struggle to replicate range performance on the course due to a lack of strategic play.
- This lesson focuses on maximizing scoring ability by making smarter decisions, not just hitting better shots.
Understanding that scoring is a separate skill from swing technique is crucial for golfers who want to lower their scores effectively.
The instructor uses a 5-iron off the tee on a par 5 while the student uses a driver, demonstrating a conservative approach to avoid trouble and still achieve a similar outcome.
- Avoid playing aggressively on the first few holes of a round.
- Difficult holes, especially early in a round when not warmed up, are not the place to take excessive risks.
- Understand stroke index: play aggressively on easier holes (higher index) and conservatively on the hardest holes (lower index).
- The primary goal on tough holes is to avoid big numbers like double or triple bogeys.
Starting conservatively builds momentum and prevents early blow-up holes that can derail an entire round.
On stroke index one, the hardest hole, the instructor advises hitting a 2-iron or hybrid to ensure the ball stays in play, rather than risking a driver that could lead to out-of-bounds.
- The most popular or common way to play a hole is not always the best strategy for your game.
- Great decisions often appear unusual initially but prove effective over time.
- Use different 'gears' of clubs (e.g., 5-iron, 3-wood, driver) based on the hole's difficulty and your current confidence.
- The goal is to put the ball in play safely, even if it means using a less-than-driver club.
Following the crowd can lead to unnecessary risks and poor decisions; forging your own strategic path is key to consistent scoring.
Choosing a 5-wood or 5-iron on a challenging hole instead of a driver, even if others hit driver, to ensure safety and avoid trouble.
- Focus on getting into a 'scoring zone' (typically within 100 yards of the green) in regulation (e.g., in two shots on a par 4).
- The secondary goal is to get down in three shots from that zone (making bogey).
- This strategy aims to eliminate double and triple bogeys, which are the score killers.
- Lowering expectations on difficult holes (e.g., aiming to be 'around the green' in two, not necessarily 'on the green') reduces pressure.
This systematic approach simplifies decision-making and directly targets the most damaging scores, leading to lower overall numbers.
On a par 4, the goal is to be within 100 yards after two shots, and then take three more shots to make a bogey (5), rather than risking a double or triple bogey trying to reach the green in two.
- Focus on executing the process (the shot, the strategy) rather than the final score.
- Remove the score from the scorecard and use simple checks (success/failure) for process goals.
- This reduces anxiety and frustration, allowing for better performance.
- The 'scoring zone' and 'getting down in three' are process goals.
Obsessing over the score creates tension; focusing on controllable process elements leads to more consistent execution and better results.
Instead of tracking the number of strokes, simply marking a 'check' if the ball is in the scoring zone in two shots, and another 'check' if it takes three shots or less to get down.
- Cherish each moment and avoid worrying excessively about the future.
- Focus on the shot immediately in front of you, not the potential score or outcome.
- A near-death experience taught the coach the profound value of presence.
- Applying this to golf means focusing on the current shot, not the overall score or the next hole.
Anxiety about future scores or past mistakes detracts from the focus needed for the current shot, leading to errors.
During a putt, focusing on the speed and line for that specific putt, rather than worrying about whether it will save par or lead to a bogey.
- Speed control on putts, especially long ones, is the most underrated skill.
- Effective lag putting allows for easy two-putts, forgiving mishits on approach shots or chips.
- It reduces the pressure of needing to make difficult putts.
- Training should emphasize distance control on putts to ensure tap-in range.
Good lag putting acts as a 'save' for other parts of the game, turning potential three-putts or worse into simple bogeys.
On an 18-foot downhill putt with significant break, the goal is not to make it, but to get it within 2-3 feet for an easy tap-in bogey.
- Enter tournaments immediately, regardless of handicap or perceived readiness.
- Playing under pressure reveals weaknesses and forces more effective practice.
- Tension naturally rises in competition, impacting skill execution.
- Golf is a game of misses, not perfection; learn to manage them under pressure.
Avoiding competitive pressure delays development; embracing it accelerates learning and builds resilience.
A player shooting 74 in a practice round might shoot 87 in a tournament due to increased tension, highlighting the need to train under pressure.
- Practice with intensity and focus, simulating pressure situations.
- Play rounds with a relaxed, strategic mindset, focusing on process goals.
- The goal is to build competence in practice so that playing becomes easier and more intuitive.
- This approach helps manage tension and improve decision-making on the course.
This philosophy ensures that practice translates effectively to the course, building confidence and reducing performance anxiety.
Practicing lag putts with consequences (e.g., if you miss the 3-foot tap-in, you do push-ups) to simulate tournament pressure, then playing a round with a focus on simply getting the ball in the hole.
- Swing with complete freedom and trust, focusing on the desired shot, not on avoiding a miss.
- Steering or guiding the ball often leads to tension and poor results.
- The goal is to commit to a target and swing freely, allowing the natural skill to take over.
- A 'miss' in the intended direction (e.g., slightly long and right) is better than a 'guided' shot that goes wrong.
True freedom in the swing comes from trust and commitment, not from trying to control every aspect of the ball's flight.
The instructor tells the student to aim directly into a group of trees, giving permission to 'miss' by hitting the trees, which paradoxically allows for a freer, more powerful swing.
- Focus on a specific target area, not just the distance to the flag.
- Visualize the desired shot shape and trajectory.
- Understand where you absolutely cannot miss and choose a target that avoids those areas.
- The 'miss' should ideally be closer to the hole than a perfect shot that goes too far.
A clear visual target and understanding of miss-zones lead to more confident and accurate shot-making.
When hitting to a green with water left and bunkers right, visualizing a target that is safe from the water, even if it means landing 40 feet from the pin, and understanding that a slight pull might bring the ball closer.
- The ultimate goal is to score, which requires translating swing mechanics into effective play on the course.
- Tension is often the primary barrier to scoring, not a lack of technical skill.
- Playing in tournaments and practicing under pressure helps manage tension.
- Honesty about your game and commitment to shots are crucial for improvement.
Focusing solely on swing technique without considering how it translates to scoring under pressure limits a golfer's potential.
Recognizing that a player might have a '3-handicap swing' but a '12-handicap strategy,' leading to a 9-handicap score, and emphasizing the need to improve strategic thinking.
Key takeaways
- Golf scoring is a skill separate from swing technique, requiring strategic course management.
- Eliminating double and triple bogeys is more critical for lowering scores than hitting perfect shots.
- Playing conservatively on difficult holes and aggressively on easier holes, based on stroke index, is a key strategy.
- Focusing on process goals (e.g., reaching the scoring zone, getting down in three) reduces pressure and improves consistency.
- Lag putting speed control is essential for making pars and saving bogeys.
- Embracing competitive pressure early and often accelerates learning and improves performance under stress.
- True swing freedom comes from trust and commitment to a target, not from trying to avoid mistakes.
- Visualize specific targets and safe miss areas rather than just focusing on yardage.
- Manage tension by practicing under pressure and playing 'easy' on the course.
Key terms
Scoring ZoneStroke IndexDouble BogeyTriple BogeyLag PuttingProcess GoalsTension ManagementCalculated RiskFirst Gear GolfScoring Method
Test your understanding
- How does focusing on the 'scoring zone' help eliminate double and triple bogeys?
- Why is it generally advised not to start a round aggressively, especially on difficult holes?
- What is the difference between 'freedom of swing' and 'freedom of miss' in golf, and why is the former more important?
- How can practicing under pressure (doing the 'hard stuff') lead to playing 'easy' on the golf course?
- Explain the concept of 'lag putting is everything' and how it contributes to a lower score.