Putting, Chipping & Short Game Tips

Whether you're standing over a three-footer with the match on the line or facing a tricky chip from a tight lie, the short game is where rounds are won and lost. This category brings together in-depth technique guides covering every facet of play inside 100 yards — from putting stroke mechanics and green reading to chipping, pitching, bunker escapes, and the scoring zone fundamentals that consistently separate mid-handicappers from single-digit players.

What the Short Game Really Covers

Most amateur golfers underestimate just how many distinct skills fall under the short game umbrella. The guides in this category break each one down into clear, actionable steps:

• Putting stroke mechanics — tempo, face angle, path, & impact consistency
• Green reading & speed control for uphill, downhill, & breaking putts
• Chipping technique with various clubs, from wedge to hybrid bump-and-run
• Pitching mechanics for high, soft-landing shots around the green
• Bunker play from greenside sand & fairway bunkers
• Flop shots, low runners, & situational shot selection
• Mental approach & pre-shot routines for high-pressure moments

Why the Short Game Is Your Fastest Route to a Lower Score

Statistics consistently show that golfers at every level take roughly 40 – 45% of their total strokes within 100 yards of the hole. That means improving your short game delivers more scorecard impact, faster, than any equipment upgrade or extra hour spent on the driving range. A reliable putting stroke can eliminate three-putts that quietly inflate your score, while a sharp chipping game turns bogeys into pars and pars into birdie opportunities.

The guides here focus on technique that is grounded in fundamentals used by tour professionals but explained in plain language for recreational golfers. You'll find breakdowns of grip pressure, stance width, wrist hinge, and follow-through for each shot type, along with common mistakes and exactly how to fix them on the practice green before your next round.

How to Use These Guides

If putting is your biggest weakness, start with the stroke mechanics and green reading guides before moving into lag putting and pressure drills. If you're losing shots around the green, the chipping and pitching sections will walk you through setup changes and practice routines you can implement immediately. Golfers who struggle in the sand will find step-by-step bunker technique guides that demystify the splash shot once and for all.

Pick the guide below that matches your biggest short game challenge — a few focused practice sessions with the right technique can shave strokes off your score faster than you'd expect.