According to golf experts, the short game is the most important part of golf if you are trying to lower your scores. In fact, two of the top players right now in the 2025 season, Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson, lead the charts for short game statistics such as scrambling percentages or sand saves, showing that competition on the course is often determined by players who excel at mastering the shots around the green. Answering, what is a short game in golf? The short game includes all shots made within a range of approximately 100 yards from the green, such as pitching, chipping, bunker shots and putting.
Golfers often ask the question, “How to improve short game in golf?” A simple answer is to work on the basics of knowing your clubs, the techniques of your shots, and the proper mental approach. This guide will address the basics of the short game and provide practical steps that will help you improve your skill levels, step by step. You’ll find details about key shots and ways to develop the mindsets for performing under pressure.
What Is a Short Game in Golf?
In golf, the short game refers to all the shots played within 100 yards of the hole, where precision and control matter more than distance. It includes chipping, pitching, bunker shots, and putting — the finesse part of golf that helps you finish each hole efficiently.
The short game in Golf is crucial because it directly impacts your scorecard consistency. Nearly 60% of total strokes in a round come from shots inside 100 yards. That means improving your short game can quickly shave several strokes off your score without increasing swing speed or power. While the long game focuses on distance — driving and full iron shots to cover ground — the short game emphasizes touch, tempo, and accuracy. It’s where players turn a decent hole into a great one and recover from mistakes made off the tee.
As golf legend Phil Mickelson once said, “The short game separates the great players from the good ones.” Mastering it not only builds confidence but also transforms your entire approach to scoring lower.
Core Elements of the Short Game in Golf
Mastering the core elements of the short game is what turns solid players into consistent scorers. Each type of short-game shot — chipping, pitching, bunker play, and putting — demands its own setup, tempo, and mindset. Together, they help you handle every situation around the green, save strokes, and recover even from tough lies.
Chipping
A chip shot is a low, controlled strike meant to carry the ball a short distance through the air before it rolls toward the hole. It’s your go-to option when you’re just off the green with plenty of rollout space.
Technique:
- Keep a narrow stance and lean slightly toward the target for clean contact.
- Use minimal wrist hinge — think of a putting motion with a bit more pop.
- Choose a lower-lofted club (like a 7- or 8-iron) when you want more roll, or a pitching wedge for a softer landing.
- Focus on landing spot, not the hole — let the ball roll the rest of the way.
Pro Tip: “Chip when you can, pitch when you can’t.” This keeps your approach simple and predictable.
Pitching
A pitch shot flies higher, lands softly, and rolls less — ideal when you must carry a bunker, rough, or ridge between you and the pin.
Setup & Execution:
- Use a sand wedge or lob wedge for added loft.
- Stand slightly open to the target line with weight favoring your front foot.
- Take a smooth, accelerating swing — avoid decelerating through impact.
- Control trajectory with swing length, not extra wrist movement.
Pitching is your key to attacking tucked pins and sticking shots close from 30–70 yards.
Bunker Shots
The bunker shot is one of golf’s most misunderstood skills — yet with the right approach, it can become one of your most reliable recovery tools.
Simple Method:
- Open the clubface before gripping it — this adds loft and bounce.
- Dig your feet slightly into the sand for stability and to gauge depth.
- Aim to hit 1–2 inches behind the ball, letting the sand lift it out.
- Follow through — don’t stop your swing after impact.
Visualize splashing the ball out on a cushion of sand. Once you get comfortable trusting the bounce of your wedge, bunker play feels effortless.
Putting
Putting is where rounds are won or lost — nearly 40% of your strokes happen on the green. The goal isn’t just to aim straight, but to control distance, tempo, and confidence.
Core Fundamentals:
- Maintain a rocking motion from the shoulders, keeping wrists quiet.
- Focus on speed control — most three-putts come from poor distance judgment.
- Practice green reading by observing slope and grain direction before every putt.
- Keep your head still until the ball rolls away to ensure a clean strike.
A confident, rhythmic putting stroke can save more strokes than any booming drive ever could.
How to Improve Your Short Game in Golf
A strong short game doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built through smart fundamentals, smart practice, and smart thinking. The difference between breaking 90 and breaking 80 usually comes down to how well you handle shots inside 100 yards. Here’s how to build consistency, confidence, and control in your short game in Golf.
Master the Key Fundamentals
Every great short-game player — from club golfers to tour pros — relies on the same set of core fundamentals. When your setup, tempo, and contact are consistent, you’ll hit better shots even without perfect technique.
- Grip Pressure & Stance: Keep your grip light and relaxed — imagine holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing any out. Too much tension kills feel. Set up with a narrow, slightly open stance, feet close together, and your weight favoring the lead side. This promotes stability and precision for short, controlled swings.
- Tempo & Rotation: Think of your short-game motion as a smaller version of your full swing — same rhythm, just reduced length. Avoid jerky takeaways; use your shoulders and chest to move the club instead of flipping your wrists. A smooth tempo keeps the club low through impact, producing clean, predictable shots.
- Weight & Contact: Maintain 60–70% of your weight on the front foot throughout the motion. This simple habit ensures you strike ball before turf, creating crisp contact and controlled spin. The secret is not power — it’s precision and balance.
Club and Shot Selection Strategy
Choosing the right shot around the green is often more important than hitting it perfectly. Knowing when to chip, pitch, or putt is the difference between saving par and scrambling for bogey. A good short-game player reads each lie like a puzzle — grass height, slope, distance, and obstacles all dictate what’s best.
When to Chip, Pitch, or Putt:
- Chip: When the ball sits clean and you have open green to roll it out.
- Pitch: When you must carry rough, a bunker, or an uphill slope.
- Putt: When the surface is tight and smooth — even from off the green.
Here is quick comparison table:
| Shot Type | Trajectory | Rollout | Ideal Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | Low | Lots of roll | Plenty of green between you and hole |
| Pitch | Medium–High | Soft stop | Carry obstacle or stop quickly on firm greens |
| Putt | Very low | Predictable roll | Short fringe, no obstacle ahead |
Smart Rule: “If you can putt, putt. If not, chip. If you can’t chip, pitch.” Always choose the simplest shot that gets the job done.
Practice With Purpose
You can’t improve your short game by mindlessly hitting balls. The key is focused, measurable practice that trains touch, distance control, and decision-making under pressure.
Drills That Build Feel:
- Towel Landing Drill: Lay a towel on the green and try to land each chip on it. This builds a sense for carry distance and spin control.
- Ladder Putting Drill: Place tees at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet. Putt to each distance without leaving putts short or long — ideal for developing consistent pace.
- Circle Drill: Drop 6–8 balls around the hole in a 3-foot circle and sink them all. It simulates real scoring pressure.
Smart Practice Habits:
- Focus on one short-game skill per session (chipping, pitching, or putting).
- Spend 15–30 minutes, 2–3 times per week — consistency matters more than duration.
- Keep a small short-game notebook — track up-and-down percentages or total putts per round.
Structured practice turns “hope” into “confidence” on the course.
The Mental Side of the Short Game
Your short game in Golf reflects your mindset under pressure. Even with perfect technique, tension or doubt can ruin execution. The best players treat every short shot as an opportunity, not a risk.
- Build Confidence and Visualization: Before each shot, pause and picture the ball’s trajectory, landing spot, and roll. Breathe, focus on your target, and swing freely. Visualization reduces tension and trains your body to trust what it sees.
- Find Your Rhythm: Think of rhythm as the heartbeat of your short game in Golf. A calm, repeatable tempo — whether you’re putting or pitching — leads to natural contact. Don’t rush because of nerves; count “1–2” softly during your swing to maintain flow.
- Perform Under Pressure: When facing a must-make chip or short putt, your brain wants to overcontrol. Fight this by committing to one clear thought — your target or tempo. Confidence grows not from avoiding mistakes but from knowing you can recover from them.
Common Short-Game Mistakes and Fixes
Even with solid mechanics, many golfers lose precious strokes near the green because of small but costly short-game errors. The most common issues — scooping the ball, decelerating at impact, and choosing the wrong club — all stem from one thing: lack of trust in the fundamentals. Recognizing and correcting these habits can transform inconsistency into confidence.
Scooping the Ball
One of the biggest short-game mistakes is trying to lift the ball into the air. This scooping motion, where the hands flip upward at impact, ruins contact and control. The fix lies in trust — let the loft of the club do the work. Keep your hands slightly ahead of the ball, your weight forward, and strike down and through. This compresses the ball cleanly and allows it to pop up naturally with spin. Practicing small chips with a narrow stance and focusing on brushing the grass after contact helps reinforce the right feel.
Decelerating at Impact
Another common issue is slowing the club down right before impact — often out of fear of overshooting. Deceleration leads to fat or weak shots because the club loses energy too early. Instead, make a confident, continuous motion with a smooth tempo from backswing to follow-through. If you need less distance, shorten your swing rather than slowing it down. The key is to commit fully to the stroke — tentative swings rarely produce good results.
Using the Wrong Club
Even technically sound swings can fail if the wrong club is in hand. Many golfers reach for their lob wedge for every shot around the green, but not every situation calls for high loft. When there’s plenty of green to work with, a pitching wedge or 9-iron can produce a simpler bump-and-run that’s easier to control. Save the sand or lob wedge for when you need height — like clearing rough, bunkers, or tiers. A good rule to remember: get the ball rolling as soon as possible. The more time it spends on the ground, the more predictable it becomes.
How to Self-Correct During Practice
The best players know how to diagnose their own mistakes. When you practice, pay attention to the feel and sound of your contact — clean shots have a crisp, shallow “click,” not a heavy thud. Notice where your divot starts; it should begin just after the ball, not before. If you’re unsure, record a few swings from the side. Check whether your follow-through matches your intent — balanced, smooth, and directed toward the target. Small observations like these create self-awareness, the foundation of every good short game.
Improving your short game in Golf isn’t about perfection — it’s about consistency through awareness. Once you can spot these subtle errors and make quick fixes, every chip, pitch, and putt becomes more reliable under pressure.
Conclusion — Mastering the Scoring Zone
The short game is where real scoring happens. From chips and pitches to bunker shots and putts, every stroke inside 100 yards shapes your final score. While long drives may grab attention, it’s the precision and consistency in your short game that truly separate skilled golfers from the rest. Spending focused time on these shots not only builds confidence but also helps you save strokes where it matters most.
If you’re serious about tracking your on-course performance, use the Golf Scoring App to record every round and identify trends in your short game. Combine that with the Golf Handicap Calculator to monitor your improvement over time. Master the scoring zone, and you’ll find yourself playing smarter, scoring lower, and enjoying the game more than ever.
FAQs
What distance is considered in a short game?
The short game in golf generally includes all shots played within 100 yards of the green. These are the precision shots — chips, pitches, bunker shots, and putts — that demand control rather than power. It’s the part of your game where small improvements can lead to big reductions in score.
What clubs are best for short game?
Most golfers rely on wedges for their short game in Golf — pitching wedge, sand wedge, lob wedge, and sometimes a gap wedge. For putting, of course, the putter is essential. Having a well-matched set of wedges with proper loft gapping gives you more control over distance and spin around the greens.
What’s the difference between chipping and pitching?
A chip shot stays low and rolls more after landing, making it ideal when you have plenty of green to work with. A pitch shot flies higher and stops quickly, perfect for clearing obstacles or landing softly near the pin. A simple rule: chip when you can, pitch when you must.
What are the biggest short-game mistakes to avoid?
Common errors include scooping, decelerating through impact, and using the wrong club. Keep your tempo steady, strike the ball cleanly, and always commit to your chosen shot.
How can I improve my short game quickly?
Focus on distance control and clean contact before power. Practice with purpose using simple drills like the towel landing zone or ladder putting drill 2–3 times a week.
What are some short-game drills I can do at home?
You can practice putting on a flat carpet, chipping into a bucket, or distance control drills using alignment sticks. These build feel and consistency even without heading to the course.
