How To Break 70 In Golf: A Simple 5-Step Plan

Striving to break 70 in golf is the ultimate benchmark that separates good golfers from great ones, but it often feels like a locked door for even the most dedicated players. You’ve honed your swing and lowered your handicap, yet that elusive sub-par score remains just out of reach, leaving you to wonder what specific, actionable changes are needed to finally cross the threshold. You’re not just looking for generic tips; you need a concrete plan that addresses every facet of the game, from mental strategy to the hard data of your performance.

Breaking 70 in golf requires a holistic approach that combines elite course management, data-driven practice to eliminate weaknesses, and a refined set of technical skills. It’s a shift from merely avoiding mistakes to actively creating scoring opportunities through a disciplined, strategic mindset.

This guide unpacks a proven, 5-step plan designed to give you that final edge. Leveraging an analysis of what separates elite amateurs and professionals, we will move beyond simple swing thoughts into a comprehensive system for shooting under par. This is your blueprint for turning a career goal into a consistent reality.

Key Facts

An Elite Achievement: Less than 1% of golfers ever consistently break 70, placing those who do in a truly elite category of players.

Better Than The Pros’ Average: Achieving this goal means you are statistically outperforming the average round on the PGA Tour, as the scoring average for the 2022-2023 season was 71.11.

The Greens in Regulation Benchmark: To have enough birdie opportunities, players looking to break 70 should aim to hit at least 12 Greens in Regulation (GIR) per round.

The Par 5 Scoring Formula: The “70/30 Rule” is a strategic guideline used by top players for attacking par 5s, focusing on leaving the ball within 30 yards of the green when there’s a 70-yard wide opening.

Distance is a Key Lever: Data-driven analysis shows that hitting the driver more often, even at the expense of some fairway accuracy, generally leads to lower scores due to the significant advantage of shorter approach shots.

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The Reality of Breaking 70: Setting the Right Foundation

Breaking 70 is an elite milestone achieved by less than 1% of golfers, requiring a game that is statistically better than the average PGA Tour professional. It signifies a complete mastery of scoring, strategy, and mental fortitude. Before diving into the technical details, it’s crucial to understand the context of what you’re aiming for. This isn’t just about having a “good day” on the course; it’s about executing a plan at a consistently high level for 18 holes.

To put this goal in perspective, consider these data points:

The 1% Club: Consistently shooting under par is a feat achieved by a tiny fraction of golfers worldwide. It requires moving beyond a game of bogey-avoidance to one that actively hunts for birdies.
Professional Benchmark: The official PGA Tour scoring average for the 2025–2025 season was 71.11. This means that on any given day, a sub-70 round is an above-average performance for the best players in the world.
Handicap implications: A player who can break 70 is typically playing with a positive handicap, meaning they are expected to shoot under par. This is the definition of an elite-level amateur golfer.

Understanding these facts isn’t meant to be discouraging. Instead, it frames the challenge realistically. It confirms that breaking 70 isn’t about finding one secret swing tip; it’s about building a complete, resilient, and strategic game from the ground up.

Ready to join that elite 1%? It starts with the right mindset.

Step 1: Fortify Your Mental Game & Course Strategy

Mastering the mental game by separating planning (“Think Box”) from execution (“Play Box”) and controlling emotional reactions is the foundational step to consistently shooting under par. At this level of golf, the difference between a 73 and a 69 is rarely technical; it’s mental. It’s about making smart decisions under pressure and committing to them without doubt.

The journey to learning how to break 70 golf begins not on the driving range, but between your ears. Here are the core mental principles you must adopt:

Embrace Imperfection: Forget trying to play a perfect round of golf. It doesn’t exist. Great scores are built on managing your misses, not eliminating them. A pulled drive or a chunked chip is part of the game. The key is to accept it, recover with a smart shot, and move on without emotional baggage.
Control the Controllables: You cannot control a bad bounce, a sudden gust of wind, or your playing partner’s pace. Wasting mental energy on these factors is a direct path to higher scores. Focus only on what is 100% within your control: your pre-shot routine, your club selection, your target, your attitude, and your reaction to the outcome.
Implement the “Think Box” and “Play Box” System: This is a structured mental process used by elite players to ensure commitment and clarity over every shot.

The “Think Box” is the area behind the golf ball. Here, you do all your planning. You assess the lie, wind, and distance. You choose your club and your target. You visualize the exact shot shape you want to hit. All analysis and decision-making happen here.
Commit Fully in the “Play Box”: Once you’ve made a plan, you step into the “Play Box” next to the ball.

The “Play Box” is for execution only. There is no more thinking, no more doubt, and no more second-guessing. Your only job is to execute the shot you visualized with 100% commitment. If any doubt creeps in, step back into the Think Box and restart.
Develop a Post-Shot Routine: After the ball is gone, your reaction is critical. Don’t dwell on a poor shot with anger or frustration. Instead, analyze it neutrally for a moment—was it a bad plan or poor execution? Acknowledge it, learn from it, and immediately shift your focus to the next shot. This prevents one bad swing from turning into a string of bogeys.

Think about your last round. How many shots were truly 100% committed in the “Play Box”? This separation of planning from execution is the bedrock of a strong mental game and the first crucial step to consistently shooting scores under par.

Step 2: Optimize Your Equipment & Track Your Performance Data

Transition from subjective feel to objective improvement by getting custom-fitted clubs and meticulously tracking performance data (GIR, putts) to pinpoint exactly where shots are lost. To break 70, you can no longer afford to guess about your game. You need to know your strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies with statistical certainty. This starts with ensuring your tools are perfectly matched to your swing.

Getting custom-fitted for your clubs, especially your driver and putter, is non-negotiable at this level. A proper fitting optimizes critical variables like launch angle and spin rate with your driver, ensuring you get the most out of your swing speed. For putting, a fitting ensures the club is designed for your specific stroke, which can be the difference between a made putt and a frustrating three-putt.

Once your equipment is dialed in, you must become the CEO of your own golf game by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs). This is how you identify the specific areas that need the most work. Stop guessing and start measuring.

Here are the key stats you should track every round and how they compare to the benchmarks for a scratch golfer:

Statistic	Your Goal	Scratch Golfer Average (for reference)
Greens in Regulation (GIR)	12+ per round (67%)	Approx. 56% (10 GIRs)
Driving Distance	Maximize (over 250 yds)	Approx. 259 yards
Fairways Hit	(Secondary to distance)	Varies, not a primary scoring stat
Putts Per Round	Under 30	Under 30
Up & Down Percentage	50%+	Varies, focus on eliminating 3-putts

Pro Tip: A scratch golfer typically hits around 56% GIR and averages under 30 putts per round. How do your numbers compare? Tracking this data will reveal the truth: Are you missing greens, or is your putting letting you down?

Modern technology makes this easier than ever. Launch monitors provide invaluable data on ball flight, while tools like HackMotion can give you real-time biofeedback on crucial metrics like wrist angles at impact, helping you groove a more consistent and powerful swing. The path to learning how to break 70 golf is paved with data. Use it to create a roadmap for your practice.

Step 3: Refine the Technical Skills That Save Strokes

Achieve elite-level ball-striking by mastering low point control with your irons, ingraining a 2:1 putting tempo for distance control, and building a systematic approach to your wedge game. While strategy and data are critical, you still need the technical ability to execute the shots. Breaking 70 requires precision in a few key areas that have the biggest impact on your scorecard. It’s about moving from good shots to repeatable, predictable results under pressure.

Here, we’ll break down the specific technical skills that separate the scratch player from the elite, sub-70 player.

Driving Strategy: Hit More Drivers for Shorter Approaches

Prioritize distance by using your driver more frequently; the advantage of a shorter approach shot statistically outweighs the risk of missing the fairway. This might sound counterintuitive to the old “fairways and greens” mantra, but modern golf analytics have proven it to be true. A 120-yard approach from the rough is, on average, an easier shot than a 160-yard approach from the fairway for most golfers.

Hit driver more often. The primary goal off the tee is to reduce the length of your next shot. Even if it doesn’t result in more fairways, the proximity to the hole you gain generally leads to more greens in regulation and better scoring opportunities.

This strategy requires a commitment to increasing your driving distance through speed training and golf-specific workouts. More speed translates to shorter clubs into greens, which is a fundamental component of learning how to break 70 golf.

Master Low Point Control for Crisp Iron Shots

The hallmark of an elite ball-striker is their ability to control the low point of their swing, ensuring clean, ball-first contact with every iron. This creates a powerful, compressed strike and predictable distances. A key technical element for this is managing your lead wrist. At impact, elite players typically have 5-10 degrees of lead wrist flexion (bowing), which delofts the club and ensures the clubhead is still descending as it strikes the ball. Drills that focus on this specific impact position are crucial for turning inconsistent iron play into a reliable weapon.

Nail Your Putting Timing for Unconscious Distance Control

Great putting is about feel, but that feel is built on a repeatable, rhythmic stroke. The best putters in the world maintain a consistent tempo, which is the key to elite distance control. A widely accepted ideal is a 2:1 backswing to downswing timing ratio. This means your forward stroke to the ball takes half the time of your backswing. This rhythm prevents jerky, anxious strokes under pressure and makes your distance control almost automatic. Ingraining this tempo through practice is essential for eliminating the three-putts that kill a sub-70 round.

Build a Reliable 3-Shot Wedge System

Scoring consistently requires a masterful short game, especially from 100 yards and in. Instead of relying on “feel” for these shots, build a system of three distinct wedge swings that produce predictable carry distances. This removes guesswork and builds confidence. Your system could look something like this:

The “Thumbs Down” Chip: A short, simple motion for greenside chips where your hands finish low. This is your go-to for predictable rollout.
The “L-Shape” Pitch: A half-swing where your lead arm is parallel to the ground on the backswing, forming an “L” shape. This is your shot for mid-range pitches that need to carry a bunker or stop quickly.
The “Smooth Full” Wedge: A controlled, 80-90% full swing that prioritizes rhythm over power. This is for your longer wedge shots where precision is paramount.

What are the three go-to shots in your wedge system? If you don’t have one, this is your starting point for transforming your short game into a stroke-saving machine.

Step 4: Implement Purposeful Practice & Gain Competitive Experience

Transform your range sessions into purposeful training with pressure-based drills and validate your skills by actively seeking out competitive events to perform under pressure. Beating balls aimlessly on the range will not get you to a sub-70 score. To truly improve, your practice must be structured, challenging, and simulate the pressures of a real round. The goal is to move from a “practice swing” to a “performance mindset.”

The dedication required is significant; some experts suggest a routine of hitting 200-400 balls six days a week, plus extensive short game practice. While volume matters, the quality and intent of that practice are what truly count.

Here are specific, structured methods to make your practice count:

Alternate Clubs on Every Shot: Never hit two shots in a row with the same club. On the course, you never get a “do-over.” Simulate this by hitting Driver, then 8-iron, then wedge. This forces you to reset and go through your full pre-shot routine for every ball.
Play ‘Worst Ball’ Scramble by Yourself: This is one of the best ways to build resilience. Hit two balls from the tee, and play your next shot from the worse of the two positions. Continue this process until you hole out. It forces you to hit recovery shots and builds mental toughness.
Incorporate Pass/Fail Pressure Tests: End your practice sessions with a challenge. For example, you must get up-and-down from a tough spot 5 out of 10 times before you can leave. Or you must make 10 consecutive 4-foot putts. This adds consequence and trains you to perform when it matters.

Quick Fact: Playing from shorter tees (“Tee It Forward”) can be a powerful psychological tool. It helps you learn how to make birdies and shoot low scores, building the confidence and belief that you are capable of going under par.

Finally, you must test these skills in the crucible of competition. Playing in local tournaments or club championships is essential. It exposes weaknesses that don’t show up in a casual round, enforces the rules of golf, and teaches you how to manage adrenaline and nerves. There is no substitute for the experience of standing over a crucial putt that actually means something.

Step 5: Integrate a Birdie-Focused Scoring Mindset

Shift your focus from simply avoiding mistakes to actively creating scoring chances by eliminating three-putts, keeping big numbers off your card, and applying smart-aggressive strategies like the 70/30 rule on par 5s. The final piece of the puzzle is your on-course scoring strategy. The mindset required to break 70 is fundamentally different from the one used to break 80 or 90. You are no longer just trying to avoid double bogeys; you are actively hunting for birdies to offset the inevitable mistakes.

This means adopting a “smart-aggressive” approach. It’s not about firing at every pin, but about knowing when to attack and when to play to the middle of the green. It’s about making aggressive swings to conservative targets. This philosophy combines confidence in your swing with high-level course management.

Here are the essential rules for a sub-70 scoring mindset:

Keep 6 Off the Card: A double bogey (a score of 6 on a par 4) is a round-killer. It takes two birdies to recover from one double bogey. Make it your absolute mission to avoid big numbers. This often means taking your medicine, chipping out of trouble sideways instead of attempting a hero shot through the trees.
Eliminate Three-Putts: A three-putt is a completely unforced error and feels like losing a shot to the course. It often stems from poor distance control on the first putt. By mastering the 2:1 putting tempo and focusing intently on speed, you can make three-putts an absolute rarity.
Master the Par 5s: Par 5s are your prime scoring opportunities. An elite player should be looking to play the par 5s at a minimum of one-under-par for the round. This is where strategic rules come into play.

A powerful strategy for par 5s is the “70/30 Rule”:

When deciding whether to go for a par 5 green in two, ask yourself two questions. First, is there a 70-yard wide gap by the green without any major trouble (like water or out-of-bounds)? Second, can you advance the ball to get it within 30 yards of the green? If the answer to both is yes, it’s often a green light to be aggressive. This rule provides a logical framework for risk-taking, ensuring your aggressive plays are based on high-probability outcomes.

By combining a commitment to avoiding big numbers with a strategic plan for attacking scoring holes, you build the framework for a round that not only can break 70, but expects to.

To elevate your game with the precision needed for sub-70 scores, investing in top-tier equipment and training aids is a game-changer. Explore some of the best tools available to refine your swing speed, putting stroke, and overall consistency.

FAQs About Breaking 70 in Golf

What percentage of golfers break 70?

An extremely small fraction, estimated to be less than 1% of golfers worldwide, ever consistently break 70. This achievement places a player in the elite category of the sport, as it requires a comprehensive skill set, strong mental fortitude, and consistent execution under pressure.

Is a 70 in golf a good score?

Yes, a score of 70 is an excellent score. It is considered an elite level of play for an amateur golfer. To put it in perspective, the average score for a PGA Tour professional during the 2022-2023 season was 71.11, meaning a score of 70 on a par-72 course is statistically better than the tour average.

What is the 70/30 rule in golf?

The 70/30 rule is a strategic guideline for deciding when to aggressively go for a par 5 green in two shots. The rule suggests you should go for it if there is a 70-yard wide opening near the green free of major hazards (like water or OB) and if you are confident you can get your ball to within 30 yards of the green.

How many Greens in Regulation should I hit to break 70?

To consistently break 70, a common benchmark is to hit at least 12 Greens in Regulation (GIR) per round. Hitting this many greens gives you a sufficient number of legitimate birdie opportunities, which are necessary to offset any bogeys you might make during the round.

How far should a 70-year-old golfer hit the ball?

A typical 70-year-old male amateur golfer hits a driver approximately 200-220 yards, a 7-iron around 135-145 yards, and a pitching wedge about 90-100 yards. However, these distances can vary significantly based on an individual’s fitness, flexibility, swing technique, and the quality of their equipment.

Final Summary: Your Blueprint for Shooting Under Par

The journey to breaking 70 is a challenging but incredibly rewarding pursuit that transforms every aspect of your game. It’s a process that demands you move beyond simply being a good ball-striker and become a master strategist, a mental fortress, and a data analyst of your own performance. This 5-step plan provides the blueprint, but true success lies in the consistent application of these principles. It’s about building a complete system where every decision and every practice swing has a purpose.

Remember the core takeaways that will pave your path to shooting under par:

✅ Step 1: Fortify Your Mental Game: Separate planning from execution with the “Think Box/Play Box” method and control your emotional reactions.
✅ Step 2: Use Data, Not Guesses: Get custom-fitted and track your key stats to identify and eliminate the true weaknesses in your game.
✅ Step 3: Refine a Few Key Skills: Master low point control with your irons, ingrain a 2:1 putting tempo, and build a reliable wedge system.
✅ Step 4: Practice with Purpose: Make every session a challenge with pressure drills and test your skills in competitive environments.
✅ Step 5: Adopt a Scoring Mindset: Shift your focus to making birdies, eliminate big numbers, and use smart-aggressive strategies on scoring holes.

The plan is here. The next step is commitment. Which part of this plan will you start implementing in your practice this week?

Last update on 2025-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Break 70 in Golf: A Simple 5-Step Plan