Short Game Drills That Actually Translate to Lower Scores

March 29, 2025

In golf, there’s a saying that “driving is for show, but putting is for dough.” While powerful tee shots captivate spectators, it’s often the subtle touch shots around the green that truly define a player’s score. Statistically, up to 60% of shots during a round occur within 100 yards of the hole, and the vast majority of those come from chipping, pitching, bunker play, and putting. Mastering these parts of the game can be the difference between a decent round and a career-best score. If you’ve ever found yourself losing precious strokes on simple greenside chips or misreading crucial putts, take heart—improving your short game can drastically lower your handicap faster than any other area of practice.

Purpose & Overview

This article zeroes in on actionable drills proven to elevate your short-game performance. While mechanics and proper technique are undeniably important, it’s the consistent, purposeful practice of those mechanics that creates real, lasting improvement. You’ll learn not just what to do, but how to practice in a way that makes each session count. By the end, you’ll have a toolkit of drills to systematically sharpen every aspect of your short game.

We’ll start by clarifying the basics of the short game and why fundamentals like setup, alignment, and feel set the foundation for everything that follows. From there:

Chipping: You’ll find drills to help you dial in crisp contact, accurate landing spots, and the creativity to handle different lies with a single club.
Pitching: We’ll cover how to manage distance control and trajectory for those mid-range shots that can save par or set up a birdie opportunity.
Bunker Shots: You’ll learn to conquer the sand by focusing on consistent entry points and harnessing the sand to lift the ball out smoothly.
Putting: Lastly, we’ll break down how to improve your start line, distance control, and confidence on the greens—an absolute must for saving strokes.

By honing these skills with the drills provided, you’ll transform your approach to scoring. Let’s dive in by first understanding exactly what the short game encompasses and why the fundamentals matter more than you might think.

Understanding the Short Game

Definition and Scope

The “short game” generally refers to shots played within roughly 100 yards of the hole. It’s a broad category that includes chipping, pitching, bunker play, and putting—each with its own techniques and nuances:

Chipping usually involves a low trajectory with minimal airtime and more roll, often played from just off the green.
Pitching covers slightly longer shots or those requiring a higher arc and more spin to stop the ball quickly.
Bunker Play requires a specialized approach due to sand conditions and the need to “splash” the ball out rather than striking it cleanly.
Putting is simply rolling the ball along the green into the hole, yet it demands exceptional precision in both aim and speed.

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Despite their differences, all short-game shots share fundamental commonalities: feel, tempo, and contact consistency. Learning to strike the ball with a consistent strike point, rhythm, and mindset lays the groundwork for reliability. Whether you’re tossing up a soft pitch or lagging a long putt, these three elements remain critical.

The Importance of Fundamentals

Mastering the short game starts with establishing solid basics in your posture, setup, and alignment:

Setup and Alignment: For greenside shots, you generally want a slightly narrower stance than you’d use for full swings. Positioning your feet and shoulders square (or slightly open) to the target line sets you up for a proper swing path.
Grip: A sound grip increases your ability to feel the clubhead. Many players prefer a slightly lighter grip pressure around the green to enhance touch.
Weight Distribution: On chip and pitch shots, a common recommendation is to favor the lead foot slightly (e.g., 60–70% weight on the front foot) to encourage solid contact and a downward strike.

Why it matters: When your body and club are aligned properly, you reduce variables that can cause mishits. A reliable setup makes it much easier to repeat the right motion, turning practice drills into a powerful feedback loop. If your fundamentals are off, no amount of repetition will build lasting consistency.

Mental Approach

Arguably, the short game demands more creativity and confidence than any other aspect of golf. Each greenside shot—be it a chip from a tight lie or a bunker escape—tests your ability to visualize the outcome and trust your technique. Here are key mental principles:

Visualization: Before you hit a shot, picture the trajectory, landing spot, and roll-out. A clear image in your mind increases the likelihood of an effective swing.
Own Your Routine: Develop a pre-shot routine that locks in your focus. Whether it’s a few rehearsal swings or a simple breathing technique, consistent routines breed confidence under pressure.
Positive Self-Talk: Even small flubs are common in the short game, so maintaining a can-do attitude after each shot is crucial. Dwelling on mistakes can snowball into more errors.

By understanding the unique requirements of each short-game shot and solidifying your setup fundamentals, you set the stage for the actionable drills that follow. The payoff? You’ll not only see more predictable outcomes, but also approach every greenside situation with the poise and creativity needed to convert tough lies into easy up-and-downs.

Chipping Drills

Purpose of Chipping Drills

Chipping might seem simple at first glance—just pop the ball onto the green and let it roll out—but in reality, it demands precise contact and distance control. When you’re around the fringe or just off the green, your primary goals are to settle the ball softly and reduce the chance of overshooting or leaving yourself a lengthy putt. Good chipping technique saves countless strokes by preventing unnecessary three-putts and keeping momentum alive. The following drills will help you refine your chipping skills for a more consistent short game.

Drill #1: The Landing Spot Drill

Setup: Place a small towel or any visible marker on the green at your intended landing spot—this might be just past the fringe or a few yards onto the putting surface.
Execution: From varying distances around the green, aim to land your ball on the towel. You can gradually increase or decrease your chipping distance.
Goal: Train your eyes and touch to land the ball at a precise spot. Learning to control the initial landing pointhelps you gauge how the ball will roll out to the hole.

Tip: Experiment with different wedges (gap wedge, sand wedge, lob wedge) to see which one produces the best roll-to-carry ratio for each shot.

Drill #2: The One-Club Challenge

Setup: Grab a single wedge—often a sand wedge or pitching wedge is a good choice—and practice from various lies, slopes, and distances around the green.
Execution: Focus on altering your stance, ball position, and swing length to achieve the right trajectory and distance with this one club.
Goal: Develop creativity and confidence in manipulating a single club. By pushing yourself to hit high, low, and medium roll chips with minimal equipment, you’ll learn to adapt on the course without overthinking.

Tip: Notice how small adjustments in weight distribution and clubface angle can turn one wedge into a versatile tool for multiple scenarios.

Drill #3: The Right-Wrist Hinge Drill

Setup: Address the ball in your standard chipping stance with a wedge.
Execution: Make a few half swings, focusing on maintaining a slight hinge in your right wrist (for right-handed players) through impact. Avoid flipping or scooping—keep the hands ahead of the clubface.
Goal: Encourage solid contact by preventing the dreaded “wrist flip.” A stable, lightly hinged right wrist promotes a crisp downward strike, which is key for consistent, clean chips.

Tip: If you’re prone to scooping, try placing a tee just outside your ball. The idea is to brush the grass (or the tee) in front of the ball, reinforcing a descending strike that compresses the ball at impact.

By incorporating these three drills, you’ll quickly elevate your chipping game. You’ll learn to visualize exact landing spots, master versatility with minimal changes to your setup, and maintain a stable wrist position to promote crisper contact. The result? More up-and-down saves and the confidence that comes from knowing you can handle any greenside lie.

Pitching Drills

Purpose of Pitching Drills

Where chipping emphasizes a lower trajectory and more roll, pitching generally involves higher shots with longer carryand enough spin to stop the ball relatively quickly on the green. These shots are typically played from 20 to 50 yards but can extend even further, depending on your club and skill level. Proficiency in pitching is crucial for those in-between yardages where a full swing would be too much and a simple chip wouldn’t cover enough distance. The drills below focus on building precise distance control, spin management, and trajectory adjustments, ensuring you can attack the flag or safely navigate tricky greenside setups.

Drill #1: Distance Ladder Drill

Setup: Choose a wedge (pitching, gap, or sand wedge) and place targets or markers at 10-yard increments starting around 20 yards (e.g., 20, 30, 40 yards out).
Execution:

Hit 3–5 balls to each distance marker.
Pay attention to your carry distance and how the ball reacts upon landing.

Goal: Train your ability to feel specific yardages and deliver consistent distance. By gradually stepping up your targets, you’ll develop an internal “distance gauge” for each incremental gap.

Tip: Focus on a smooth, controlled swing—accelerating through the ball rather than decelerating. This helps prevent “chunky” or “thin” contact, both of which can sabotage distance control.

Drill #2: Three-Swing-Length Drill

Setup: Identify three distinct backswing lengths using the mental image of a clock face: 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 (assuming a 6:00 position is the clubhead pointing straight down). Use a single wedge for this drill.
Execution:

Practice each backswing length until you can execute it consistently.
Note how far the ball carries with each swing length.

Goal: Build a simple “yardage map” for partial swings. Knowing that a 7:30 backswing carries your wedge, say, 25 yards, while 9:00 carries 40 yards, takes guesswork out of scoring shots.

Tip: Write down your findings in a small notebook or on a range card, and refer to these numbers during rounds. This eliminates guesswork and builds confidence when facing pitch shots under pressure.

Drill #3: The Trajectory Control Drill

Setup: Use alignment sticks (or a makeshift gate) at various heights to create “windows” through which you’ll hit your pitch shots. Position them a safe distance away so you don’t risk damage to your clubs or the sticks.
Execution:

Practice hitting high, medium, and low pitch shots.
Adjust your ball position (forward for higher shots, slightly back for lower shots) and experiment with your follow-through length.

Goal: Learn how to alter your launch to navigate different course conditions—like carrying a bunker to a tight pin (higher shot) or controlling roll on a firm green (lower shot).

Tip: A slightly open stance can help you clear your hips and swing smoothly for higher shots, while a more neutral or even closed stance can help keep the ball down.

By dedicating focused time to these pitching drills, you’ll sharpen your distance control, gain confidence in partial shots, and master trajectory adjustments that come in handy on real courses. Whether it’s a quick pitch over a bunker or a finely tuned approach into a narrow pin, consistent practice with these drills will give you the tools to execute under any circumstance.

Bunker Drills

Purpose of Bunker Drills

For many golfers, the thought of landing in a bunker triggers immediate anxiety. Yet, with a bit of proper technique and focused practice, bunker play can evolve from a liability into a scoring opportunity. Successful sand shots rely on:

Consistent Entry Point: Striking the sand at the correct spot relative to the ball is vital for controlling distance and trajectory.
Swing Commitment: Acceleration through the sand helps pop the ball up and out, rather than letting the club dig and decelerate.
Confidence: Knowing you have a practiced routine makes it easier to commit to the shot under pressure.

Below are drills to help you master the fundamentals of sand play, ensuring you step into the bunker with a clear game plan.

Drill #1: The Line in the Sand Drill

Setup:

In a practice bunker, draw a straight line in the sand perpendicular to your intended target line.
Address the line as if it were the ball.

Execution:

Focus on striking the same exact spot on the line with each swing.
Skip placing an actual ball at first—just practice taking sand.

Goal:

Train yourself to enter the sand at a consistent point.
Build muscle memory for where your club should contact the sand relative to your stance.

Tip: Once you’re hitting the line consistently, place a ball an inch or two in front of it and work on catching the sand behind the ball. This helps ensure the sand lifts the ball out, rather than striking it too cleanly or hitting too far behind.

Drill #2: Splash Drill

Setup:

Find a relatively flat or slightly upslope area of the bunker.
Place a ball in the sand in your normal setup position.

Execution:

Make a full, confident swing, aiming to enter the sand just behind the ball.
Listen for the “splash” of the sand—this is key feedback that the clubface is properly interacting with the sand.

Goal:

Develop trust in the bounce of your wedge, letting the sand propel the ball out.
Avoid trying to pick the ball cleanly; the objective is to feel how the sand “explodes” the ball onto the green.

Tip: If you’re afraid of “skulling” the ball across the green, remember that accelerating through the sand is what keeps the clubface from digging too deep. Commit to the swing, and let the wedge’s bounce do the work.

Drill #3: Distance Control with a Sandy Path

Setup:

Rake a smooth path in the bunker that extends from where you stand to near the lip.
Place several balls at different intervals along this path (e.g., every 3–5 yards).

Execution:

Use a similar swing for each shot.
Experiment with the clubface angle (slightly open for higher, softer shots or less open for lower, longer shots) to land the ball varying distances onto the green.

Goal:

Understand how the same swing can be modified with minor changes in setup or clubface angle to achieve different carries.
Gain confidence in fine-tuning distance out of the sand, whether you’re close to the lip or have a longer carry to the flag.

Tip: Keep mental notes of how an open face combined with a slightly wider stance affects your distance. Over time, you’ll develop a blueprint for different bunker scenarios, making it easier to choose the right shot on the course.

By drilling these bunker fundamentals, you’ll transform bunkers from feared hazards into strategic opportunities. With a consistent entry point, committed swing, and the ability to adjust for distance, you’ll often find yourself saving pars (and maybe even setting up some surprise birdies) after landing in the sand.

Putting Drills

Purpose of Putting Drills

Putting is often referred to as the “game within the game,” and for good reason. A strong putting performance can salvage poor ball-striking days and transform solid rounds into career lows. It’s also where the strokes can quickly add up—missing short putts or leaving long putts well short can lead to demoralizing three-putts. Consistency in stroke, speed, and green reading is the secret to shaving strokes off your scorecard. The following drills target fundamental aspects of a sound putting routine: start line, distance control, and short-putt confidence.

Drill #1: Gate Drill for Start Line

Setup:

On a flat section of the practice green, place two tees just wider than the width of your putter head, creating a “gate.”
Position the gate in front of the ball—about 6 to 12 inches away—directly on your intended start line.

Execution:

Stroke putts through the gate without contacting the tees.
Focus on making a smooth, straight path from takeaway through impact.

Goal:

Develop a square clubface at impact and a consistent start line, crucial for sinking putts.
Any contact with the tees provides instant feedback that your face angle or stroke path is off.

Tip: Once you can reliably roll 10 in a row through the gate, challenge yourself by narrowing the gate or adding a slight break in the putt to test your alignment.

Drill #2: Distance Control Ladder

Setup:

Pick a straight or gently sloping section of the green.
Place markers or tees at 5-foot intervals (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20 feet).

Execution:

Putt from the same position toward each marker, trying to land the ball as close to the target as possible.
Work your way up the ladder (shorter to longer) and then back down, focusing on how much backswing and follow-through each distance requires.

Goal:

Refine your feel for distance, which is paramount to avoiding three-putts.
Build a “mental catalogue” of the stroke length needed for various distances.

Tip: If you struggle to reach the proper distance, try to accelerate a bit more through impact. Decelerating can cause inconsistent contact and unpredictable ball speeds.

Drill #3: Circle Taps Drill

Setup:

Choose a hole on the practice green and create a circle (3–4 feet in diameter) around it using tees.
Alternatively, you can place a series of tees at measured distances (e.g., three feet, four feet, five feet) if you prefer.

Execution:

Start at a designated point on the circle and putt until you make it.
Move around the circle, taking putts from different angles and slopes.

Goal:

Groove the confidence to sink short putts from all directions.
Reduce stress on the course by making those three- to four-footers second nature.

Tip: If you miss, don’t rush to the next spot. Re-hit the same putt until you sink it twice in a row, reinforcing a positive, confident stroke.

When you commit time to these putting drills, you’ll see improvements in accuracy, distance control, and mental fortitude on the greens. Putting might not always be flashy, but it’s the critical finishing touch that consistently lowers scores—and a few minutes spent on focused drills pays dividends when you face pressure putts on the course.

Practice Routine and Integration

Combining Drills into Practice Sessions

One common mistake in golf practice is focusing exclusively on long drives while neglecting the short game. By designing a balanced practice routine that includes chipping, pitching, bunker play, and putting, you reinforce these crucial skills consistently. Here’s a sample structure you might follow in a one-hour session:

Chipping (15 minutes)

Work on crisp contact and landing spot consistency (Drill #1 from chipping).
Integrate the One-Club Challenge to test adaptability.

Pitching (15 minutes)

Incorporate the Distance Ladder Drill.
Use the Three-Swing-Length Drill to reinforce yardage mapping.

Bunker Play (15 minutes)

Perform the Line in the Sand Drill to groove a consistent entry point.
Conclude with a few Splash Drills to reinforce acceleration and sand contact.

Putting (15 minutes)

Start with the Gate Drill for a solid start line.
Progress to the Distance Control Ladder for feel.
End with Circle Taps to sharpen confidence in short putts.

Fifteen minutes for each facet may not seem like much, but when done purposefully, it’s enough to make steady progress. Over time, small gains from each area add up, significantly lowering your average scores.

Pre-Round Warm-Up

A well-rounded short-game warm-up before teeing off can set the tone for your entire round:

Chips and Pitches: Begin with a few short chips from the fringe. Then, move slightly farther back, hitting medium-length pitches to get a feel for your wedge distances.
Bunker Shots: If possible, practice a couple of bunker shots to dial in your entry point. Focus on trusting the sand’s “splash” to carry the ball.
Putting: Finish on the putting green. Spend a few minutes on short putts (3–5 feet) to build confidence, then practice some mid-range putts (10–20 feet) for distance control.

A structured warm-up helps you avoid first-hole jitters, ensuring you’re not trying to “find your touch” under pressure. Instead, you’ll step onto the first tee feeling a sense of familiarity with your short-game shots.

Tracking Progress

Consistent improvement thrives on accountability. By keeping simple notes on what you practiced, any issues encountered, and how you felt about your performance, you gain valuable insights for the next session. Here are some ways to track progress:

Short-Game Practice Log: Jot down the drills you did, number of successful executions, and areas needing work (e.g., “Struggled with landing spot consistency on chips. Focus on weight distribution next time.”).
Stat Tracking On-Course: Count how many up-and-downs you convert from various distances, as well as total putts per round. Look for patterns—are bunker saves improving? Are three-putts decreasing?
Video Analysis: Occasionally record short-game shots on your phone. Small technique flaws often become more apparent on playback, providing direction for adjustments.

By integrating deliberate practice sessions with a quick yet focused pre-round routine—and taking time to reflect on your results—you’ll foster steady, measurable growth in every aspect of your short game. Over weeks and months, you’ll see those incremental gains translate to fewer strokes on your scorecard and increased confidence under pressure.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

1. Overthinking Mechanics

It’s easy to get tangled in too many mechanical thoughts—“Is my wrist set correctly?” “Am I flipping the club?”—to the point where tension and hesitation creep into your swing. Paradoxically, the more you micromanage each movement, the more likely you are to sabotage the fluid motion essential for a smooth short-game shot.

Why it Happens: Golfers often associate improvement with dissecting every technical detail. While a solid understanding of fundamentals is necessary, dwelling on them mid-swing can foster indecision.
How to Avoid It:

Focus on Feel: Once you’ve worked on technique during practice, trust your “muscle memory” during actual play.
Target Awareness: Direct your attention outward—visualize the flight of the ball or the spot you want to land it—rather than inward on body positions.
Use a Simple Key: If you need a swing thought, keep it brief and relevant (e.g., “smooth tempo,” or “brush the ground”).

2. Neglecting Variety in Practice

Practicing only from perfectly flat lies with the same club and the same distance can yield robotic consistency in that one scenario, but leaves you unprepared for the actual variability of the course.

Why it Happens: Driving ranges and practice greens often have well-maintained lies, leading golfers to stick to “ideal” shots rather than seeking out more challenging situations.
How to Avoid It:

Simulate Real Conditions: Practice from divots, fluffy lies, tight lies, downhill and uphill slopes, and even rough around the green.
Randomize Drills: Instead of hitting 20 balls from one spot, rotate among different distances, clubs, and targets to replicate the unpredictability of actual rounds.
Challenge Yourself: Set mini-goals like, “Up-and-down in two shots from three different lies,” to keep practice competitive and engaging.

3. Lack of Accountability

Many players fall into a routine of hitting the same shots repeatedly without measuring results or reflecting on what is (or isn’t) working. Without data or structured feedback, plateaus become the norm.

Why it Happens: It’s more comfortable to simply “hope” progress is being made than to confront potential shortcomings or collect stats that might reveal slow improvement.
How to Avoid It:

Keep a Practice Log: Document which drills you did, any patterns you noticed, and specific improvements or setbacks.
Set Concrete Goals: Whether aiming to reduce three-putts to under three per round or improve sand saves by 10%, having clear targets inspires purposeful practice.
Regular Check-Ins: Periodically review your stats—putts per round, up-and-down percentage, bunker save rate—to identify trends and reassess your approach.

By recognizing these common pitfalls—overthinking mechanics, neglecting variety, and lacking accountability—you can steer your short-game practice toward continuous, meaningful progress. Address each pitfall proactively, and you’ll find yourself executing with confidence and creativity rather than self-doubt, translating into real-world success around the greens.

Conclusion

Recap Key Takeaways

Short-game proficiency is often the clearest avenue to lower scores. By targeting each facet—chipping, pitching, bunker play, and putting—you can systematically turn potential trouble spots into consistent strengths.

Chipping is about precise landing spots and consistent contact.
Pitching relies on controlled carry, spin, and trajectory.
Bunker Play requires a confident strike through the sand, with a consistent entry point.
Putting hinges on a reliable start line, distance control, and confidence on short putts.

Each set of drills offers a structured way to build and refine these essentials. The underlying theme? Practice with purpose, tracking progress and simulating real-life scenarios wherever possible.

Encourage Action

To truly benefit from the drills and concepts laid out in this article, take immediate action:

Pick Two or Three Drills Per Practice: Rather than trying every drill at once, select a few that address your biggest short-game weaknesses.
Commit to a Routine: Schedule short-game sessions into your practice plan, just like you would for the driving range.
Measure Results: Keep a simple log of what you worked on, along with successes or ongoing challenges. This helps you stay accountable and adapt when you hit a plateau.

Final Motivational Note

The short game is more than just a collection of shots; it’s the glue that holds your round together. A well-placed chip or clutch putt can rescue a hole, maintain momentum, and help you bounce back from mistakes. With dedicated drills and a clear focus on continuous improvement, your short game can become a genuine asset. Stick with these strategies, and watch how even small gains around the green lead to big reductions in your overall scores. Happy practicing—and here’s to sharper, more confident play the next time you step onto the course!

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