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Tiger Woods’ ex-coach shares advice for amateurs trying to break 100

Originally posted on HITC | By Antony Martin | Last updated Nov 2, 2025 8:05 AM ET

For most golfers, getting their score under 100 isn’t just a goal – it’s more of a lifelong project.

But there’s advice from someone who knows what it takes at the very top: the coach who helped Tiger Woods to six of his major wins. Golf can be brutal, and that’s the truth. Just playing bogey golf is often hard enough for most players.

On TV, the pros make it look like a breeze. But even scratch golfers can struggle when faced with championship setups. Take Oakmont as an example. The day after the US Open wrapped up, a one-handicapper carded a 93 on that course.

If you’re thinking that sounds rough for someone with that handicap, there are plenty out there who would still be happy to put up that number on such a demanding track. And maybe now you’ve got a path to do just that…

Hank Haney, Tiger Woods’ former coach, reveals how amateurs can break 100

Hank Haney is a familiar name in the world of golf coaching. He’s best known for his work with Woods. The 15-time major champion enjoyed plenty of success during his time with the 69-year-old.

Haney has previously spoken about how obsessed Woods was with trying to get better, and that attitude explains a lot of what made him so successful.

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It’s time for you all to embrace your own version of that mindset. Haney has shared some advice aimed at helping amateur golfers break 100 for the first time.

He said: “Eliminate your penalty shots by working on your big miss with the driver, learn a basic chip shot to eliminate two chips and be able to green it when you are in a bunker and lastly eliminate three putts by always thinking about your speed on every putt.”

Eliminate your penalty shots by working on your big miss w the driver, learn a basic chip shot to eliminate two chips and be able to green it when you are in a bunker and lastly eliminate three putts by always thinking about your speed on every putt. https://t.co/mNhoDEtfns
— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) June 17, 2025

Sensible advice from Haney there. It’s not something we haven’t heard before, but coming from him is certainly worth listening to.

Extra tips to help break 100

One of the biggest issues I see with amateur golfers is club selection. Most shots from high handicappers fall short of the green. Take one more club than you think you need and focus on making a solid connection with the ball rather than swinging harder.

Another common mistake is not accepting when it’s time to play safe. If your ball ends up in the rough, don’t try to pull off a miracle shot – just get it back into play. Breaking 100 gives you plenty of strokes to work with, so stay patient and stick to your game plan.

Here’s another tip: when you’re just off the green, use your putter instead of reaching for a wedge. You’ll find that even an average putt usually leaves you closer than an average chip.

And above all else, keep practising. There’s no quick fix for getting better at golf – consistent practice is what leads to real improvement over time.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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