Struggling to turn three shots into two around the green isn't just frustrating, it's a a huge reason why your scores are higher than you'd like. The good news is that a reliable short game has less to do with natural talent and more to do with having a solid plan. This guide is designed to give you that plan - a clear, easy-to-follow set of techniques for chipping, pitching, bunker play, and putting that will help you slash strokes and stand over any short shot with confidence.
Before we can fix anything, we need to know what shot we’re trying to hit. Amateurs often use the terms “chip” and “pitch” interchangeably, but they are fundamentally different shots with different goals. Getting this right is the first step to better scores.
Once you’ve identified which shot the situation demands, you can apply the right technique.
Bad chipping comes from inconsistency, which is usually caused by too many moving parts. Simplifying your chipping motion and setup will give you a repeatable, reliable shot that you can count on under pressure. Think of it as a putting stroke with a more lofted club.
Tension and complexity are the enemies of good chipping. This simple setup will promote a clean, descending strike every single time.
Your goal is to create this setup and maintain it throughout the entire motion. Do not try to help the ball up.
Once you’re set, the motion is simple. It's a one-piece movement controlled entirely by your shoulders. There is little to no wrist hinge.
Imagine your arms and shoulders have formed a solid triangle. To make the stroke, you just rock that triangle back and forth. The clubhead stays low to the ground on the way back and low on the way through. The key feeling is to accelerate gently through the ball. Many amateurs make the mistake of making a long, slow backswing and then decelerating at impact, which leads to fat or thin shots. A shorter, more positive strike is much more reliable.
Don't be the player who only chips with their sand wedge. Using different clubs for different situations is the real secret to great chipping. A simple rule is to always use the least loft necessary to get the ball rolling on the green.
Practice hitting chips with each of these clubs to see how much they fly versus how much they roll. Soon, you'll be able to confidently choose the right tool for the job.
For pitches from 20 to 60 yards, the biggest challenge is distance control. A mishit here can leave you with another tricky pitch or, even worse, put you in a bunker. The key is to build a system that produces predictable distances.
The Clock System uses the length of your backswing to control how far the ball goes. Imagine you are standing in the middle of a giant clock face, with the ball at 6 o'clock.
Write these numbers down. The next time you're on the course and have a 40-yard pitch, you won't have to guess. You'll know that you need to make your "9 o'clock" swing.
For many golfers, the greenside bunker is the most intimidating shot in golf. But it doesn't have to be. The secret to bunker shots is realizing you're not actually trying to hit the ball. You are hitting the sand, and the sand throws the ball out.
The bunker swing is a commitment. You need speed to displace the sand and propel the ball out. A ti.a short 'ab jab the shot will result in the club digging 'n' leaving ball right 'ere with You Make a relatively full bachado d'follow through, focus solely on splashing the line you "splashed out sand from your've visualized" A confident a,accelerating strike is allit 'rakes".'l not leave the ´ll.
Your short game fix isn't complete without addressing putting. Nothing saves a hole like a clutch putt. Good putting boils down to two things: starting the ball on the right line and hitting it with the right speed. Speed is far more important.
Great putters have quiet hands and bodies. The power and motion come from the rocking of the shoulders. Your arms and shoulders should form a triangle that stays intact throughout the stroke. The clubhead swings back and through like the pendulum of a grandfather clock. Make your stroke the same length back as it is through to ensure a smooth, accelerating motion through the ball.
To end three-putting forever, you need elite speed control. The Ladder Drill is the best way to practice it.
This drill quickly trains your brain to feel how big a stroke is required for different length putts, turning stressful lags into simple tap-ins.
Fixing your short game isn't about finding a magic bullet, but about building simple, repeatable techniques for chipping, pitching, sand play, and putting. By focusing on a solid setup and a clear game plan for each type of shot, you can turn a major weakness into a reliable strength and watch your scores tumble.
Of course, for those situations when the textbook shot doesn't seem to apply - like a nasty lie in thick rough or a bare patch by the green - it helps to have an expert opinion in your pocket. I've designed Caddie AI for exactly these moments. You can snap a photo of your ball's lie, and we’ll analyze it to give you a simple, smart way to play the shot, taking the guesswork out of tricky situations and helping you play the course with more confidence.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
