Mastering the Short Game in Golf

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick answer

• The short game is all about shots from around the green to the hole: chipping, pitching, bunker shots, and putting.
• It’s your score-saving zone, where you can turn a potential bogey into a par or even a birdie.
• Focusing on your short game is the fastest way to see your handicap drop.

Who this is for

• Golfers who are tired of three-putts and leaving chips short or long.
• Anyone looking to add consistency and confidence to their game, no matter their skill level.

What is Short Game in Golf: Key Areas to Check First

Alright, before we dig into the drills, let’s make sure your foundation is solid. These are the little things that make a big difference.

• Club Selection: This is crucial. For chips, think about a club with less loft, like an 8-iron or 9-iron, for a lower, running shot, or a sand wedge if you need a bit more loft. For pitches, you’ll typically grab your pitching wedge or gap wedge for a higher trajectory. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different clubs for different lies and distances. I’ve seen guys get way too cute with club selection, and it never ends well.
• Stance and Grip: Keep it simple and consistent. For most short game shots, a slightly narrower stance than your full swing works well. You want to feel balanced and stable. Your grip should be relaxed but firm enough to control the club. Many players find a slightly weaker grip (thumbs more on top of the club) or a slightly stronger grip (hands rotated a bit more to the right for righties) can help with certain shots, but start neutral and adjust as needed.
• Ball Position: This is a big one and changes depending on the shot. For a basic chip, the ball is usually in the center of your stance or slightly back. For a pitch shot, you’ll likely move it a bit forward, towards the instep of your lead foot. Getting this right ensures you’re hitting the ball at the right point in your swing arc.
• Weight Distribution: A common mistake is having too much weight on your back foot, leading to scooping. For most short game shots, you want your weight favoring your lead side, around 60-70%. This encourages an “all-down-and-through” motion, which is key for solid contact.
• Setup Routine: Develop a consistent pre-shot routine. This includes how you stand to the ball, how you waggle the club, and how you visualize the shot. This mental preparation helps you commit to the swing and reduces anxiety.

Step-by-step plan for mastering the short game

This is where the rubber meets the road. Consistent practice here will shave strokes faster than anything else.

• Understand Chip Shots: Action: Grab your sand wedge or a medium-iron and head to a spot just off the fringe. Practice hitting chip shots to a target on the green. What to look for: A low, controlled trajectory with a good amount of roll towards the hole. You want the ball to land on the green and release like a putt. Mistake to avoid: Trying to “scoop” or “lift” the ball into the air. This often leads to thin shots or topping the ball. Instead, focus on a pendulum-like swing, keeping your wrists relatively firm and letting the loft of the club do the work. Think of it as a mini-golf putt with a club.
• Develop Pitch Shots: Action: Move back a bit further from the green, perhaps 15-30 yards, and practice pitching with your pitching wedge or gap wedge. Focus on different distances. What to look for: A higher trajectory that lands softly on the green and stops quickly. The ball should have a bit of “bite.” Mistake to avoid: Decelerating through the impact zone. This is a killer for distance control and touch. You need to maintain acceleration through the ball, just like a miniature full swing. Imagine brushing the grass after impact.
• Master Bunker Play: Action: Find a practice bunker and work on greenside bunker shots. The goal is to get the ball out and onto the green, not to hit it perfectly. What to look for: The clubhead entering the sand about 1-2 inches behind the ball, splashing sand out and carrying the ball with it. You should feel the club digging in. Mistake to avoid: Hitting the ball directly. This is the most common error. You’re not trying to hit the ball; you’re trying to hit the sand beneath the ball. Open the clubface slightly, take a good swing, and trust that the sand will propel the ball out.
• Refine Putting Technique: Action: Spend dedicated time on the practice putting green. Work on different lengths of putts, from short tap-ins to longer lag putts. What to look for: Consistent stroke mechanics, good speed control, and the ability to roll the ball on your intended line. Mistake to avoid: Rushing your stroke or getting sloppy with your setup. Treat every putt with respect. Focus on a smooth pendulum motion with your shoulders and arms, keeping your lower body still.
• Practice Escape Shots: Action: Seek out challenging lies – divots, uphill/downhill slopes, or balls just off the fringe with an awkward lie. Practice getting the ball back into play and onto the green. What to look for: The ability to adapt your setup and swing to different situations. Mistake to avoid: Panicking or trying to force a specific shot. Assess the lie, choose the appropriate club, and make a disciplined swing. This builds real-world confidence.
• Simulate Pressure Situations: Action: Play practice rounds where you only count strokes from the fringe in. Or, play a game where you have to get up and down from a certain number of spots around the green. What to look for: Improved scoring and a better feel for the game under simulated pressure. Mistake to avoid: Treating practice like a casual hangout. Make it purposeful. This is where you build the mental toughness needed on the course.
• Focus on Distance Control: Action: Use alignment sticks or tees to mark distances on the practice green and practice hitting putts to specific spots. Do the same with chips and pitches, aiming to land them within a certain radius of a hole or target. What to look for: A consistent feel for how your swing length translates to distance. Mistake to avoid: Hitting the ball without a clear distance goal. Every shot should have a purpose and a target distance.

Common Mistakes in the Short Game

These are the little gremlins that can sabotage your score. Watch out for them.

• Lifting the club on chip shots — Why it matters: This is the primary reason for thin shots or shots that fly too low and don’t roll out. You’re trying to help the ball up, but you’re actually taking loft off the club and hitting it thin. — Fix: Focus on a smooth, pendulum swing, keeping your wrists firm and your body rotating through the shot. Think about brushing the turf after impact, not lifting the club.
• Trying to scoop or lift the ball with your hands — Why it matters: This leads to inconsistent contact, resulting in either duffed shots (hitting the ground way behind the ball) or thin shots (hitting the equator of the ball). You lose all control. — Fix: Trust your setup and the loft of your club. Swing down and through the ball, making contact with the turf just after the ball. Your body’s rotation, not your hands, should be the primary engine.
• Decelerating through impact on pitch shots — Why it matters: This kills your distance and touch. The clubhead slows down, and you lose the crisp contact needed for a good pitch. The ball will likely come up short or lack trajectory. — Fix: Maintain acceleration through the ball. Think of it as a “hit” or “strike” rather than a gentle tap. Visualize the clubhead moving smoothly and powerfully through the impact zone.
• Opening the clubface too much on bunker shots without adjusting the swing — Why it matters: While opening the face is good, if you don’t adjust your swing path, you’ll likely hit the leading edge of the club into the sand, resulting in a weak, thin shot that doesn’t go anywhere. — Fix: When you open the clubface, you generally need to swing slightly more from the inside. The combination of an open face and an inside-out swing path helps the club glide through the sand.
• Ignoring the short game in practice — Why it matters: This is the biggest mistake of all. You can hit all the drivers you want, but if you can’t get up and down or make putts, your scores won’t improve. It’s the difference between a good score and a great score. — Fix: Dedicate at least 50% of your practice time to the short game – chipping, pitching, bunker play, and putting. Treat these practice sessions with the same intensity as your full swing practice.
• Trying to use too much wrist action on chip shots — Why it matters: Excessive wrist hinge on a chip shot can lead to inconsistent contact and a loss of control, similar to scooping. You want the wrists to be part of the swing, but not the primary driver. — Fix: Focus on using your shoulders and arms to create a pendulum motion. The wrists should remain relatively firm and act as a hinge, but not be the sole source of power or manipulation.

FAQ

Got more questions about the short game? We’ve got you covered.

• What are the most important clubs for the short game?

Your wedges are your best friends here. Typically, a sand wedge (SW) is used for bunker shots and many chip/pitch shots due to its higher loft and bounce. A pitching wedge (PW) and a gap wedge (GW) are excellent for higher, softer pitch shots. Beyond wedges, your putter is obviously essential for the final few feet. Some players also find success using mid-irons (like an 8 or 9 iron) for chipping when they want the ball to run out more.

• How much practice time should I dedicate to the short game?

Honestly, aim for at least 50% of your practice time. If you have an hour to practice, spend 30 minutes on chipping, pitching, bunkers, and putting. This is where you save strokes. Hitting drivers is fun, but mastering your short game is what lowers scores. Think of it as an investment with a huge return.

• What is the difference between chipping and pitching?

The main difference lies in trajectory and distance. A chip shot is typically a lower, running shot played from just off the green. It uses less of a swing and relies more on the ball rolling out towards the hole, similar to a putt. A pitch shot is a higher, softer shot played from a bit further away from the green. It has more airtime and less roll, designed to land closer to the hole and stop quickly. Club selection and swing length are the primary differentiators.

• Should I use the same grip for short game shots as my full swing?

For consistency, it’s generally best to use the same fundamental grip. However, you might find slight adjustments can help. Many players will slightly lighten their grip pressure for more feel, and some might position their hands a fraction differently for specific shots (e.g., a slightly weaker grip for a chip to promote a more downward strike). The key is to find what works for you and be consistent with it.

• How do I practice putting effectively to improve distance control?

To improve distance control, use alignment sticks or tees to mark targets at various distances on the practice green (e.g., 5, 10, 20, 30 feet). Hit putts to each of these targets, focusing on making a consistent stroke length for each distance. Another great drill is to hit putts to the fringe of the green; the goal is to have the ball stop just on the fringe, not roll too far past. This forces you to focus intently on speed.

• What is the best way to practice bunker shots if I don’t have access to a practice bunker?

If a practice bunker isn’t available, you can simulate bunker shots on the fairway or even in a practice area with slightly longer grass. Use your sand wedge, open the clubface, and focus on hitting the turf behind the ball. The key is to splash the ball out with sand. You won’t get the exact feel, but it helps reinforce the concept of hitting sand, not ball. Visualize the explosion.

• How can I improve my touch around the green for delicate chips and pitches?

Touch is all about feel, and feel comes from repetition. Spend time practicing with different clubs and different lie conditions. Focus on the length of your backswing and follow-through corresponding to the desired distance. Try playing games where you have to land the ball within a small circle or get it to stop within a few feet of the hole. Soft hands and a relaxed grip are crucial for developing that delicate touch.

Sources

• Mastering the Short Game: Essential Skills for Lower Scores