Having a strong short game is absolutely key if we’re hoping to shave strokes off our golf scores. The right drills can really help us get those short shots tighter to the hole and save precious strokes around the green.
By working on chipping, pitching, and bunker play, we start building a foundation. That’s when confidence starts to show up on the course.
We’ll run through some simple drills, a few practice tips, and ways to make every practice session count. It’s all about control, accuracy, and touch—those little things that make a big difference.
Key Takeaways
- Strong short game skills can really change your overall performance.
- Focused drills make chipping, pitching, and bunker play way sharper.
- Practicing with intention? That’s where steady improvement lives.
Fundamentals of Short Game Skills
A good short game comes down to understanding the basics, using decent technique, and actually practicing with a plan. Focus and accuracy shape every shot near the green—no shortcuts there.
Understanding the Short Game
The short game covers shots close to the green—chipping, pitching, and putting. These little shots might look simple, but they often decide our score.
Mastering the short game means we control distance, spin, and loft. Reading the green, judging the lie, and knowing how each club reacts? That’s where the magic is.
Practicing different short shots—like low chip-and-runs or high pitches—teaches us how to handle weird grass or tricky slopes. It’s not all textbook, and that’s okay.
Pros spend a ton of time on these skills. They’re obsessed with touch and feel, especially when the pressure’s on.
We can borrow that approach by working on repeatable motions and learning to judge distances with each club in our bag. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
Key Techniques for Consistency
Consistency in the short game shows up when we’re under pressure. A steady stance and a decent grip help us control the clubface at impact.
Weight a bit forward, simple swing—don’t overthink it. When chipping or pitching, keep the wrists firm and don’t try to scoop the ball.
A quiet lower body lets the arms and shoulders do the work. That’s usually when we make cleaner contact.
Focusing on landing spots and picking the right club gives us more control over where the ball ends up. One-club drills—like using just a 7-iron for all sorts of shots—can boost creativity and teach us to control the ball from all kinds of lies.
Developing Focus and Accuracy
Focus and accuracy set great short game players apart. Committing to each shot and trusting our routine? That’s tough, but it pays off.
Staying present is huge. Breaking the routine into steps—pick a target, picture the ball’s path, focus on just this shot—helps us lock in.
Drills that target specific landing spots or challenge us to get within a tight circle of the hole really sharpen accuracy. Practicing with a purpose, where every shot has a goal, builds actual confidence. That’s when the short game starts saving us shots.
Essential Drills to Improve Your Short Game
Solid short game skills can cut strokes fast. The right drills help us get better precision, more control, and the ability to handle whatever the course throws at us.
Putting Drills for Precision
Putting is where most of us win or lose strokes. For accuracy and feel, try the Gate Drill—just pop two tees a bit wider than your putter head, about a foot in front of you, and stroke putts through the gate.
The Clock Drill is another classic. Place balls in a circle around the hole at three, six, and nine feet. It’s a great way to practice short putts from every angle.
The Ladder Drill works for distance control. Put balls at three, six, nine, and twelve feet, then see how many you can sink in a row. It sounds simple, but it builds consistency for all those in-between putts.
Chipping Drills for Better Control
Chipping is all about trajectory and spin. The Hula Hoop Drill is a favorite—lay a hoop or mark a small circle near the hole, then chip balls and try to land them inside.
The One-Club Challenge is sneaky good for versatility. Chip with just one club (maybe a 7-iron) from all sorts of lies and distances. It forces us to control loft and roll.
With the Landing Spot Drill, place a towel or marker where you want the first bounce and try to hit it every time. It’s surprisingly tough, but it dials in your focus.
Pitching Drills for Added Versatility
Pitching handles the longer shots around the green, especially if you’ve got to clear a hazard or rough. For the Segmented Target Drill, set up a few targets at 10, 20, and 30 yards.
Pitch balls at each target, switching distances every shot. It teaches us to judge carries and stops on the fly.
The Open Face Drill is good for higher, softer pitches. Grab your most lofted wedge, open the face, and focus on clean contact.
For uneven lies, the Uphill and Downhill Lies Drill is a must. Practice pitching from different slopes—it’s not always flat out there.
Distance Control and Accuracy Exercises
Distance control is everything in the short game. The Ladder Drill isn’t just for putting—use it for chipping too. Set up balls at different intervals and try to land each one the right distance.
The Zone Target Drill works for accuracy. Mark a few zones on the green and try to land shots in each one. It forces us to pay attention to both distance and direction.
A Pace Count Drill is old-school but effective. Count out steps for each shot, then try to land the ball within a set range. It helps connect feel with real yardages.
Mixing these drills into practice builds real control and confidence for any situation.
Advanced Short Game Practice Techniques
If we want to really level up our short game, we’ve got to go beyond the basics. Specific drills can build consistency, boost confidence, and help us score better with different clubs and shot types.
Simulating Pressure Situations
Practicing under pressure gets us ready for real rounds. We can create little competitions—like challenging ourselves to get up and down five times in a row, starting over if we miss.
Try counting how many times in a row you chip within three feet of the hole. Keeping score makes practice feel more like real golf.
Rotate between different lies and slopes for each shot. It makes us focus and gets us used to handling nerves.
Add a small reward for success or a silly penalty for failure. It keeps things interesting and preps us for those clutch moments.
Mastering Chip and Run Shots
Chip and run shots are reliable near the green, especially when we want the ball to stay low. Here’s a handy table to help pick the right club:
| Club | Typical Roll Distance After Landing |
|---|---|
| 7-iron | 2-3 times the carry distance |
| 8-iron | 1.5-2 times the carry distance |
| 9-iron | 1-1.5 times the carry distance |
Focus on a solid setup: weight forward, hands ahead, and a smooth, short stroke.
Practice landing the ball on different spots and watch how it rolls out. Switching clubs teaches us how to handle all the random lies and slopes we’ll see on the course.
Incorporating Bunkers and Sand Wedge Drills
Bunker shots can be intimidating, but practice helps. Start by hitting shots from all kinds of lies—buried, uphill, or flat.
One drill that works: draw a line in the sand two inches behind the ball. Try to enter the sand at the line, using the bounce of your sand wedge to pop the ball out.
Switch up targets and distances, and alternate between longer and short explosion shots. Get comfy with an open clubface and don’t be afraid to accelerate through the sand.
Weirdly enough, the more we practice this, the more we start to trust our sand wedge.
Physical Preparation and Professional Insights
To really sharpen the short game, we can’t forget about our bodies and routines. Warming up, building core strength, and getting pro advice all play a part.
Stretching and Warm-Up Routines
Stretching matters. It keeps us flexible and gives us a better range of motion.
Before practice, spend 5–10 minutes on dynamic stretches. Arm circles, leg swings, and gentle twists wake up the muscles.
Resistance bands are great for loosening shoulders and hips. A decent warm-up prevents injury and just makes swings feel smoother.
Stretching keeps us loose all round. And hey, a few easy wedge swings before chipping or pitching never hurt.
Building Balance and Core Strength
Balance is huge for short shots. Strengthening our core—abs, lower back, the works—helps us stay steady.
Planks, side planks, and bridges are good at home. Yoga or simple balance drills (like standing on one leg) help too.
Try chipping while balancing on one foot. It feels goofy, but it works.
Better core strength and balance mean more control, especially in tough lies. It’s worth making these exercises a habit.
Working with a Golf Instructor
Golf instructors can spot things we’d never notice. Lessons help us learn proper technique for putting, chipping, and pitching.
They’ll give instant feedback and suggest drills that fit our game.
Some will even film our swings so we can see what’s really happening. Personalized advice makes practice way more effective.
Try to see a good instructor a few times each season. Just a handful of lessons can make a big difference.
Practicing at the Driving Range
The driving range isn’t just for big swings. We can use it for short game work—wedge shots, chips, and pitches.
Set targets at different distances to work on distance control. Here’s a simple range plan:
| Drill | Focus | Repetitions |
|---|---|---|
| 10-yard chips | Contact & accuracy | 10 balls |
| Pitch shots (30 yards) | Trajectory control | 10 balls |
| Bunker shots | Technique | 10 balls |
Practice from different lies and use a pre-shot routine. It gets us ready for real course situations.
Regular range sessions with these drills keep us sharp.
Frequently Asked Questions
We can build a better short game with practical drills and clear techniques. Focusing on specific skills is the fastest way to get more accurate and confident around the green.
What are some effective chipping drills for junior golfers?
Try placing a towel or hula hoop as a target five feet from where you chip. The goal? Land the ball on the target every time.
Using just one club for ten chips in a row teaches distance control. Switch up targets and try different lies for a real challenge.
How can beginners improve their short game in golf?
Practice half swings and chip shots from all sorts of distances to develop touch. Use one ball and play to a real hole or target—no mindless repetitions.
Learning to use different clubs around the green shows us when to chip low or pitch high. Focus on making solid contact with every shot. That’s where improvement starts.
What are the best at-home drills for short game practice?
You can set up a putting mat, or honestly, just use a carpet for putting drills. Practicing three-foot and six-foot putts helps build confidence, even if it feels a bit repetitive.
For chipping, try using soft foam balls and aim for a laundry basket. Zeroing in on landing the ball in a small area really sharpens your aim.
Can you suggest a comprehensive short game practice plan?
A balanced short game plan covers chipping, pitching, bunker shots, and putting. Start by hitting ten chip shots to different targets.
Then, hit ten pitch shots from various distances. If you can, spend time putting from both short and long range.
Mix in some bunker practice if you have access to a sand trap. Handling sand shots isn’t glamorous, but it’s gotta be done.
What techniques can I use to improve my short game accuracy?
Pick a landing spot before every shot and really try to picture the ball’s path. Practicing distance control with a few different clubs helps fine-tune your precision.
The towel drill is a classic—just toss a towel down to mark your target landing area. It’s simple, but you’ll get instant feedback on how close you’re getting.
How can I diagnose issues with my short game performance?
First off, it’s worth tracking where your misses tend to land. Are you usually short, long, left, or right?
That pattern can really highlight what needs work. It’s a bit of self-detective work, honestly.
Grabbing a quick video of your swing helps too. Or just ask a coach or a buddy to take a look.
Often, it’s something small—like a tweak to your stance or grip—that ends up making a surprising difference.