Mastering the Short Game

There’s nothing finer than a tee shot that lands right in the middle of the fairway. As you approach your second shot, you’re already thinking about par—maybe even a birdie. Tee shots can set the tone for a hole, but the feeling that truly matters is how you walk off the green. While great drives are exciting, the reality is that they account for only 18 strokes in a round. The real action happens within 100 yards of the green—that single football field where two-thirds of your shots take place. Notably, many bogeys and double bogeys occur within this range.

The Focus of Our Golf Practice

Most golfers enjoy practicing their long game—it’s fun, rhythmic, and you get to hit from one spot. In contrast, the short game requires more effort: clearing the chipping green, dropping balls, hitting them, and then repeating the process. It demands a different mindset. Many amateur golfers focus almost entirely on their long game, spending little time putting and even less time working on their short game. But if you dedicate yourself to improving your short game—especially when others in your foursome neglect it—you’ll dominate the course and win all the money!

Inside 10 Foot for Lower Scores

Professional golfers make about 65% of their 5-foot putts, but their success rate drops significantly beyond 10 feet. If your short game is strong, decent drives and approach shots are enough for you to score well. The challenge is that the short game is complex—it takes dedicated practice. You simply have to invest the time to understand it and develop a love for the satisfaction of getting up and down.

Pin High or Die

The closer you get to the green, the more critical distance control becomes. Any shot that lands pin-high significantly improves your chances of having a makeable putt or an easy two-putt. Whether you’re hitting from the fairway, pitching out of the greenside rough, or chipping from the fringe, your primary goal should be to land the ball pin-high.

Hands Off for Short Game Success

Surprisingly, your hands and fingers—so crucial for feeling the club—can actually hinder your short game by providing unnecessary power. Their main job is simply to hold the club. For better short-game consistency, your wrists, hands, and fingers should remain quiet, or “dead.” Use just enough grip pressure to control the shaft while keeping your hands passive. Your hands should never stop moving until well after impact.

Ball Position is Key to Consistency

Hitting the ball first is essential for every shot, but it’s even more critical in the short game. A slight mishit—either fat or thin—can leave you with a long putt or, worse, a second chip shot from the other side of the green. Consistency comes from striking the ball first, and that starts with proper ball position.

Bottom of The Swing and Ball Position

A consistent bottom of the swing is crucial for accuracy. You can achieve this by maintaining your spine angle, keeping your hands quiet, eliminating unnecessary sideways movement, and keeping your arms extended. One way to determine your swing’s low point is by observing the center of your divots. It sounds simple, but it requires practice.

You can even work on finding the bottom of your swing at home—no ball needed. Simply combine ParFection with one of the new divot aids. ParFection helps keep your body steady, while the divot aid will show the bottom of your swing (see video). Remember, you want to strike the ball first, so your ball position should be just behind your divot.

A Smooth Rhythmic Body Turn

The body turn in the short game is simple—rotate your upper and lower body together at the same speed. There’s no need for a big coil or weight shift—just a smooth, controlled turn. The amount of turn depends on the shot required.

One of the best ways to practice is without a club. Stand with your feet about 30 inches apart and place your arms (or a club) across your chest. Take slow, easy turns while focusing on keeping your movement controlled—no coiling, no excessive weight shift (see video).

Quiet Hands and a Straight Left Arm

Use a soft, neutral grip with no tension. In the short game, your hands and arms should be mostly passive. Keeping your left arm straight is key to making crisp contact and controlling distance. Think of your left arm like the minute hand on a clock—swing it to a “time” you can easily feel and repeat that motion until it becomes second nature. Then, practice longer and shorter swings to improve your touch.

Distance Control for Lower Scores

Distance control is all about making solid contact and avoiding unnecessary power. Once you master a smooth body turn, quiet hands, stable posture, and maintain your spine angle, distance control naturally follows. The combination of backswing length, follow-through, and club selection determines your shot distance.

Timing and Tempo will Come with Practice

To develop good short-game tempo, start with a swing that feels natural—somewhere between your shortest and longest motion. Focus on turning your upper and lower body together, without adding extra speed from your arms. Using a metronome or click track can help you develop a repeatable rhythm. No need to hit balls for this drill—just practice continuous back-and-forth swings.

Once again, I recommend ParFection—it’s ideal for learning tempo. It keeps your posture steady so you can focus on what your turns and finishes feel like.

One Final Note

The short game is complex, so start with chipping. Master one type of chip shot with a club you like until you’re consistent, then move on to short pitch shots, and finally to longer pitch shots. It’s a process—but one you’ll grow to love.

I want to leave you with one thought: Imagine missing a green and knowing you’re going to get up and down. Really think about that. How would that confidence change your game?

A big shout-out to short-game guru Dave Pelz, author of The Short Game Bible. His book is packed with valuable data, examples, and drills to improve your game—some of the insights in this article are based on his research.

Until next time—better golf is in sight!