What Does Shooting 70 in Golf Mean?

Shooting 70 in golf isn't just another score - it's a benchmark that signifies a leap from being a good player to an elite one. It means you’ve developed the skill, consistency, and mental fortitude to beat the course. This article breaks down exactly what that 70 means, the specific skills required to achieve it, and a practical plan to help you start your journey toward breaking this significant barrier yourself.

First, What Exactly Does a Score of 70 Mean?

On the surface, shooting 70 means you completed an 18-hole round of golf in exactly 70 strokes. To understand the significance of this number, you have to compare it to the course's par. Most standard golf courses are a par 72, which is the expected score for a highly-skilled "scratch" golfer. So, on a par 72 course, a score of 70 is two-under-par (-2) - an exceptional round.

Some courses are par 71 or par 70. On a par 70 course, shooting 70 is an even-par round. Regardless of the course par, a score in the low 70s consistently places you in the upper echelon of amateur golf. Players who can post a 70 are typically scratch golfers (0 handicap) or even "plus-handicap" players, meaning they are expected to shoot better than par.

For context, the average male golfer who keeps a handicap scores around 90. Breaking 80 is a major achievement for most amateurs. Breaking par with a score like 70 puts you in a very small percentage of players. It’s a sign that your game has no major weaknesses.

The Anatomy of a 70s Score: More Than Just Birdies

Many golfers imagine that shooting 70 requires a flashy scorecard filled with birdies. While birdies are obviously helpful, the real secret to consistently shooting par or better is not about making highlights - it’s about eliminating mistakes. Great rounds are built on a bedrock of boring, steady golf.

Here’s what the scorecard of a 70-shooter often looks like:

• A Foundation of Pars: A typical round of 70 on a par 72 course might include 12 pars, 4 birdies, and 2 bogeys. Or it could be 14 pars, 2 birdies, and 2 bogeys. Notice the common theme? The majority of holes are steady pars. The player isn’t trying to make a birdie on every hole, they are patiently waiting for their opportunities while ensuring they don't give strokes back to silly mistakes.
• No "Blow-Up" Holes: The single biggest difference between a 70s golfer and an 80s or 90s golfer is the avoidance of "the big number." A player who shoots 70 very rarely makes a double bogey or worse. They have the course management skills to recognize when a hole is going sideways and they play to minimize the damage, turning a potential double a-bogey into a manageable single bogey.
• Masterful Scrambling: Even the best players don't hit every green in regulation. A key stat that defines 70s-shooters is "scrambling." This is the ability to get up-and-down for par after missing a green. If they miss the green with their approach shot, they have the chipping/pitching skill and putting confidence to save par a high percentage of the time. This skill turns what would be a bogey for most players into a stress-free par, keeping the round’s momentum going.

The Skills Required to Break Par Consistently

A score of 70 doesn't happen by accident. It's the result of developing a well-rounded game where every component is solid. Here are the four pillars you need to build.

1. Consistent Ball-Striking

While you don't need to drive the ball 300+ yards, you absolutely need to have predictable control over where it goes. Consistency trumps pure power every single time.

Players who shoot 70 hit a high percentage of greens in regulation (GIR) - typically 12 or more per round. Hitting the green with your approach shot is the surest way to make par or have a legitimate birdie look. This comes from working on a repeatable swing that produces a predictable ball flight. The feeling is not of hitting at the ball, but of making a balanced, rotational swing where the ball simply gets in the way. Every swing has the same tempo and rhythm, leading to tight distance and dispersion control.

2. A Dialed-In Game from 100 Yards and In

The "scoring zone" is where the best players separate themselves. If you want to shoot 70, you must become a specialist with your wedges and around the greens.

• Wedge Mastery: This means knowing your precise yardage with your pitching wedge, gap wedge, and sand wedge for full shots, half shots, and even quarter shots. A 70s-shooter doesn't just have one stock 80-yard shot, they have several, allowing them to control trajectory and spin based on where the pin is located.
• Versatile Chipping/Pitching: You need more than one type of short-game shot. You have to be comfortable hitting a low, running chip, a soft-landing pitch, and a shot from a tricky lie in the rough. The goal from off the green is not just get it "somewhere on the putting surface," but to get it inside a 6-foot circle to leave a makeable putt for par.

3. Clutch Putting

Great putting is a two-part equation: phenomenal distance control and accuracy on short putts.

• Eliminating 3-Putts: The fastest way to ruin a good round is with 3-putts. Players who break par are experts at lag putting. From 30, 40, or 50 feet away, their primary goal is to get the ball within a 3-foot "tap-in" circle. Incredible speed control removes the stress from long putts and makes the hole feel much smaller.
• Making the "Must-Makes": While avoiding 3-putts saves you strokes, making putts inside 10 feet is how you score. This is where confidence comes in. Whether it's to save a par or convert a birdie, you need to feel automatic over those short-to-mid-range putts. This only comes from dedicated, focused practice.

4. Bulletproof Course Management

This is the invisible skill that ties everything together. A 70 isn’t just about hitting great shots, it’s about thinking your way around the course and making smart decisions.

• Playing the Percentages: A smart golfer rarely aims directly at a tucked pin. They play to the fattest part of the green, ensuring that even a slight miss leaves them with a putt instead of a difficult chip. On a tight driving hole, they might take a 3-wood or hybrid instead of a driver to guarantee they find the fairway. It’s about playing the highest-percentage shot, not the most heroic one.
• Emotional Resilience: Every golfer hits bad shots. The difference is that a 70s player doesn’t let one bad shot affect the next one. They accept a bogey, forget it, and step onto the next tee with a fresh mindset. This mental toughness prevents a single mistake from spiraling into a series of them.

A Practical Path to Shoot Your First 70

Getting to this level is a marathon, not a sprint. Here is a simple, actionable process you can follow.

Step 1: Track Your Key Stats

You can’t fix what you don’t measure. For your next several rounds, start tracking these four things: Fairways Hit, Greens in Regulation (GIR), Putts per round, and Scrambling (getting up-and-down). Don’t guess, write it down. The numbers will tell you the truth about where you are losing the most strokes.

Step 2: Practice from the Green Backwards

Most golfers go to the range and hit the driver for 45 minutes. To shoot 70, you need to do the opposite. Dedicate the majority of your practice time to putting, then chipping, then pitching. By becoming an expert around the greens, you build confidence that spreads to the rest of your game because you know your short game can bail you out.

Step 3: Define Your "Scoring Zone" Practice

Spend at least 60% of your practice time on shots from 100 yards and in. Don't just hit to random targets on the range. Set up specific scenarios. Hit 10 balls to a target 75 yards away. Practice a tricky chip over a bunker. Go to the putting green and do a drill where you have to make 20 three-footers in a row. Purposeful practice is what builds skill under pressure.

Step 4: Develop an Unshakable Pre-Shot Routine

Consistency on the course comes from a consistent process. Create a simple pre-shot routine that you perform before every single shot, from a drive to a tap-in. It could be: stand behind the ball to pick a target, take two practice swings, step up to the ball, look at the target once more, and swing. This routine quiets the mind and allows you to trust your training.

Final Thoughts

Shooting a 70 is the beautiful result of combining solid technique with smart strategy and a strong mind. It represents a a complete game, free of glaring weaknesses, and is a fantastic and achievable goal for any dedicated golfer who approaches their improvement with a clear plan.

This journey is as much about smart decision-making as it is about swinging a club. That's why we built Caddie AI. On the course, you get an on-demand golf brain that acts as your personal caddie, helping with hole strategy or advising on a tricky an approach shot. By taking the guesswork out of the tough calls, you can focus on building the skills and confidence needed to finally break that 70 barrier.