Golf Short Game: Chipping, Pitching, Bunker Play, and Putting
The short game accounts for roughly half the strokes in a typical round of golf, yet most recreational golfers spend nearly all their practice time on the full swing. Understanding full swing fundamentals in the main golf guide provides the foundation for short game success. Improving the short game offers the fastest path to lower scores because it requires less physical power and more technique and feel. This guide covers the essential techniques for shots inside 100 yards, where scoring truly happens.
Chipping
Chipping is used when the ball is close to the green with no obstacles to carry. The chip flies low and rolls most of the distance to the hole, making it the simplest short game shot to execute. A narrow stance with the ball positioned back toward the trailing foot sets up the proper descending strike. The weight favors the front foot, and the hands lead the clubhead at address, delofting the club slightly.
The chipping stroke is a pendulum motion driven by the shoulders with minimal wrist action and no significant leg movement. The length of the backswing and follow-through should be equal, keeping the club low through impact. The left arm and the club shaft form a straight line through impact, and the ball is struck with a descending blow before the club contacts the ground. This clean contact produces backspin for control.
Club selection for chipping varies by situation. A pitching wedge produces a higher flight with more carry and less roll. A 7-iron produces a lower, running shot. The rule of thumb is to land the ball just on the green and let it roll the rest of the distance to the hole. Practice with different clubs to develop feel for the carry-to-roll ratio each club produces. The goal is to get the ball on the ground and rolling toward the hole as quickly as possible, because rolling balls are more predictable than flying balls.
Pitching
Pitching is used for shots requiring more height and less roll, typically from 20 to 80 yards. The setup uses a slightly wider stance with the ball centered or slightly forward and even weight distribution. The stance may be slightly open to allow the club to swing along the body line.
The pitching motion involves more wrist hinge than chipping. The wrists cock on the backswing and release through impact, generating loft and spin. The body rotates slightly, and weight shifts to the front foot through impact. Distance control comes from consistent tempo: vary the swing length, not the effort level. A half-swing pitch with smooth tempo flies the same distance every time if the mechanics are consistent.
Spin control comes from clean contact between the ball and the clubface grooves. Dry conditions and clean grooves produce maximum backspin. Wet grass or plugged lies reduce spin, requiring adjustment to a higher landing spot. The lob wedge offers the most loft and is ideal for high, soft-landing pitch shots over hazards.
Bunker Play
Bunker shots intimidate many golfers, but the technique is reliable when executed correctly. The setup requires an open stance, an open clubface, and feet dug into the sand for stability. The ball is positioned forward, and weight favors the front foot. The open clubface uses the bounce of the wedge to slide through the sand.
The swing targets the sand, not the ball. The club enters the sand 2 to 4 inches behind the ball and slides through, lifting the ball on a cushion of sand. A full, aggressive finish is essential; stopping the swing short leaves the ball in the bunker. Different lies require adjustments: a buried lie requires a steeper entry and more closed clubface, while a wet bunker requires a pick-type swing.
Putting Fundamentals
Putting is the most personal part of golf, accounting for 40 percent of strokes. The grip places the putter in the palms, not the fingers, with the eyes directly over or just inside the ball line. The stroke is a pendulum motion from the shoulders with quiet wrists. Distance control is more important than line at most levels. Reading greens involves analyzing slope, speed, and grain from multiple angles.
Practice Drills
The clock drill (six balls around the hole at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet) builds short-range confidence. The ladder drill from 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet develops lag putting. The towel drill for chipping places a towel on the green and practices landing balls on it.
Advanced Bunker Techniques
Beyond basic bunker play, advanced golfers develop a range of specialized shots from the sand. The explosion shot from a greenside bunker uses maximum loft and a steep swing arc to lift the ball high with soft landing. The plugged lie requires a closed clubface and steeper angle of attack to dig the ball out. The long bunker shot from 30 to 50 yards uses less loft and a fuller swing, taking less sand and producing a lower trajectory with more roll. The hardpan bunker lie, where the sand is compacted or wet, demands a pick-type swing with minimal sand taken and the club striking closer to the ball. Mastering these variations allows golfers to escape any bunker situation confidently.
Scoring Zones and Strategy
The short game is fundamentally about scoring, and understanding scoring zones helps golfers make better decisions. Inside 3 feet, the expectation is to make every putt. From 3 to 6 feet, make more than half. From 6 to 10 feet, make roughly one-third. From 10 to 20 feet, make about one in six. These statistics guide practice priorities and on-course expectations. The up-and-down percentage (getting in the hole in two shots when missing the green) is one of the most important statistics in golf. Developing these short game skills translates directly to success in individual sports competition, where the ability to execute under pressure separates winners from the field. Professional golfers succeed roughly 60 percent of the time from around the green. Recreational golfers should target 40 to 50 percent by improving chipping and putting skills. The most important skill for saving strokes is leaving the first putt or chip within the 3-foot tap-in range, eliminating three-putts and guaranteeing at least bogey from any position.
Practice Routines for the Short Game
Effective short game practice mirrors the randomness of the course. Rather than hitting the same chip shot twenty times, vary the lie, distance, and club selection to simulate on-course situations. Place balls in different positions around the practice green and play each one as it lies. The random practice method develops feel and adaptability better than blocked practice. Use practice time to develop a reliable go-to shot that works under pressure, then expand the repertoire from there. Track your up-and-down percentage during practice to measure improvement, and identify which situations (distance, lie type, club) need more work. The best short game players have developed their feel through thousands of repetitions in varied conditions, not through hitting the same shot on autopilot.
The mental approach to the short game differs from full swing mentality. Around the greens, feel and creativity matter more than mechanical precision. Golfers should develop a repertoire of shots including high soft pitches, low running chips, flop shots, and bump-and-run shots using different clubs. The ability to visualize the shot and commit fully to execution is more important than perfect mechanics. This mental approach mirrors the principles of individual sports psychology, where visualization and commitment are key performance tools. Short game practice should include pressure simulation: create consequences for missing, play games against yourself, and practice the shots that cause you the most anxiety on the course. Developing touch and feel through varied practice builds the confidence to execute when it matters.
Equipment for the short game deserves careful attention. Wedges come in different lofts: pitching wedge (44-48 degrees), gap wedge (50-54 degrees), sand wedge (54-58 degrees), and lob wedge (58-64 degrees). The bounce angle of the wedge determines how it interacts with the ground. Higher bounce prevents digging and is better for soft conditions and bunkers. Lower bounce suits firm conditions and tight lies. Wedge fitting considers lie angle, shaft length, and grind shape (sole relief) that affects how the club sits at address and moves through turf. Quality wedges with sharp grooves produce more consistent spin and control, and grooves should be inspected regularly for wear.
FAQ
What wedge should I use for chipping? Use the club giving the correct carry-to-roll ratio. An 8-iron or 9-iron works for most chips. Use a pitching wedge for more carry or a 7-iron for more roll.
Why do I hit behind the ball in bunkers? Hitting behind the ball is correct for bunker shots. The club should enter the sand 2 to 4 inches behind the ball. Thin shots result from looking at the ball instead of the sand.
How do I stop three-putting? Practice lag putting from long distance. The goal of a long putt is to leave it within a 3-foot circle. Spend 70 percent of practice time on putts outside 10 feet.
Should I use the same putting grip for all putts? Yes. Consistency builds a reliable stroke. Experiment with grip styles but commit to one and practice it exclusively.
How often should I practice the short game? Spend half of your practice time on the short game. Fifteen minutes of focused short game practice daily yields noticeable results faster than full swing work alone.