Breaking 100/90/80/70

My secrets to consistency

By Lorena Ochoa
with Topsy Siderowf
Photos By Darren Carroll April 2007

Looking back over last season, consistency more than anything else was the reason for my success.

I've been competitive for some time -- but not until last year was I able to hit my best shots when I needed them the most.

Here I'll share the swing tips and drills I work on with my coach, Rafael Alarcon, and relate them to your skill level. They'll help make your game more reliable, too.

This month's guide to the scoring basics includes:

Breaking 100: If you're hitting the ball consistently well, you're finding good positions and making your next shot easier. My advice to 100-shooters is to improve your fundamentals, especially posture and alignment, because that'll help you make solid contact.; READ MORE >>

Breaking 90: Now that you're on the verge of shooting in the 80s, you'll want to be able to handle situations that call for curving the ball. Consistency for you means hitting more greens, and that requires the ability to hit different kinds of shots. The basic shotmaking tools are the fade and the draw -- and it's not too soon to start learning them.; READ MORE >>

Breaking 80: If you're trying to break 80, you need to be able to hit different shots with the same club -- and not just from a perfect lie. Your task is to master distance control, one of the major areas that separate good players from bogey golfers.; READ MORE >>

BREAKING 70: At this level, it's all about fine-tuning and getting the most out of your scoring opportunities. The best way to drop a few strokes is to sharpen your putting.; READ MORE >>