A clean 87, earned through steady tee shots, sharp wedges, and some very timely bounce-backs: my first breaking 90 round review.
The Accidental Breaking 90 Round
I had no scoring intentions heading into this round. No goal of breaking 90, no expectations of anything special. I just wanted to swing smoothly, hit clean tee shots, and enjoy the day with my niece Brianna — without letting golf stress get in the way. But in hindsight, what I played was a textbook example of a breaking 90 golf strategy: conservative tee shots, smart layups, steady wedges, and no spirals. I wasn’t chasing a number. I was playing simple, intentional golf — and I walked off with an 87.
🧭 Course & Conditions
- Course: Fellows Creek Golf Club (North | South)
- Date: July 5, 2025
- Tees: Red (5030 yds, 122.0 / 69.3)
- Conditions: Dry fairways, moderate wind, sunny but breezy enough to stay comfortable
- Playlist Vibes: Chappell Roan on repeat, courtesy of Brianna
📈 Key Stats
4/14
6/18
35
4/11
3
1
3
191 yds
87
1:27
🔍 Strategic Highlights
1. GIRs and Scoring Efficiency
I hit 6 greens in regulation — and converted 5 of those into par or better. That’s my best conversion rate yet. The only miss came on Hole 12, where a well-struck approach left me putting from long range on a tricky green. According to mid-handicappers, tightening your short game and converting GIRs is one of the biggest levers for scoring.
2. Tee Shot Control
This was a round built on playable tee shots. I hit only 4 fairways, but nearly every miss was just off the short grass — enough to give me a clear look. The right miss showed up a few too many times (Holes 2, 6, and 8), but even then, I recovered smartly.
3. Clean Holes & Calm Decisions
Out of 18 holes, 6 were “clean”: no penalty, no chip, par or better. That included a steady 4-hole stretch from Holes 13–16 where I felt completely in rhythm. It wasn’t flashy golf. It was efficient.
4. Approach Distances That Worked
Wedge control continues to improve. I hit some of my best shots from 100–115 yards — especially on Holes 10, 11, and 16. That approach range is officially my comfort zone now. My short game work and backyard sessions have really paid off.
🧠 Mental Game Notes
This round felt calm. I didn’t overthink club selection. I trusted my pre-shot routines — GRACE off the tee, GAPS for setup. Even after a rough stretch early (holes 2–4), I steadied myself by the 5th and never let the round slip. I knew I had a good number in me, and for once, I didn’t get in my own way.
The course was nearly empty — just a few groups scattered ahead. At one point, we caught up to a family a couple holes in front of us, and they offered to let us play through. I declined. Not because I was shy, but because I finally admitted something: I play so much more relaxed when I’m not worried about people behind me. With no pressure on our pace, we took a few extra putts, admired the scenery, and wandered into the woods for another round of Brianna’s ball-hunting treasure quests.
I also took advantage of the freedom to practice in real time. Since Brianna wasn’t playing — though we did pay her greens fee — I hit a few extra approach shots, pitches, and chips throughout the round. If a pitch didn’t land quite where I aimed, I tried it again. I always putted out my first ball and recorded that score, but the ability to make adjustments immediately helped me build some learning and muscle memory.
One example: Hole 6 on the South course — a par 4 with a dogleg right and a series of low hills that tempt you to cut the corner. In league play, I’ve always aimed straight over the hills toward the green — and usually ended up in trouble. But yesterday and again today, I played it differently: I aimed left, toward the front edge of the green, laying up short with a longer angle in. Yesterday it left me in the center of the fairway just 10 feet from the green; today I was just left in the rough — but both gave me easier pitches and led to GIRs. Reddit golfers say it best: “Penalties are the biggest killer.”
🎥 Joyful Extras
Brianna’s favorite part? The ball hunt. She found a few dozen — neon, matte, glittery — and delighted in every single one. She made me tee off on 18 with a red Callaway Superfast she’d claimed as her prize find. I promised I’d play it — but I still swapped it out for my approach in case it didn’t clear the creek. It didn’t. One penalty stroke later, we were both laughing about it.
We also tested more GoPro angles this round — some behind-the-swing captures and cart-ride footage. She’s officially in charge of content now.
🔥 Best Shots of the Day
- Hole 1 (Par 4): 172-yard drive to the fringe of the green — set the tone immediately
- Hole 5 (Par 3): 98-yard tee shot landed near pin high — easy par
- Hole 15 (Par 4): 169-yard tee shot and GIR on a tight landing area — one of my most technical swings of the day
💡 Takeaways & Next Focus
- Continue trusting wedges from 90–115 yards. This range saved me repeatedly
- Work on directional control off the tee — especially curbing that right miss
- Celebrate boring golf. This wasn’t a fireworks round — and that’s exactly why it worked