7 Short Game Tips That Finally Help Weekend Golfers Save Strokes Around the Green
I am a weekend golfer, and if there's one thing I've learned after 25 years of battling my way around courses, it's this: your short game is where you'll either impress your buddies or watch them shake their heads as you chunk another chip shot into the bunker.
The harsh reality? According to PGA Tour statistics, even tour professionals leave 50% of their shots from 20 yards outside of 8 feet from the hole. If the best players in the world struggle with precision around the greens, what chance do we weekend warriors have?
But here's the good news - and the reason you're going to love this article. The short game is actually the fastest area of golf to improve. While your driving might take months of lessons and swing changes, your chipping and pitching can transform in just a few practice sessions with the right techniques.
After countless rounds with my regular foursome, testing every tip and trick we could find, I've discovered the seven short game secrets that finally helped us start saving strokes instead of wasting them. These aren't complex professional techniques - they're practical, proven methods that work for weekend golfers who want results without spending hours on the practice green.
So read on to discover how to turn those frustrating missed opportunities around the green into the part of your game that your buddies start asking about.
What Is the Short Game and Why Does It Matter So Much?
The short game includes all shots played within roughly 50-100 yards of the green: chipping, pitching, bunker shots, and putting. But here's what blew my mind when I first learned this - according to legendary short game instructor Dave Pelz (former NASA physicist who coached Phil Mickelson and other major winners), more than 60% of golf shots are actually part of the short game.
Think about it. Even if you're hitting great drives and solid iron shots, you're still going to face situations around the green every single round. As Phil Kenyon (specialist putting coach to Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, 70+ PGA and European Tour wins, 4 Major Championships) explains: "Ultimately, you need to put the ball in the hole."
Last month, I played with a buddy who can absolutely bomb his driver but struggles to break 90. After tracking his round, we discovered he was losing 8-10 strokes per round just around the greens. That's the difference between shooting 88 and 98!
The beauty of focusing on your short game? Unlike swing changes that take months to groove, you can see immediate improvement. According to Golf Digest research, amateur golfers who spend just 30% of their practice time on short game see score improvements 3x faster than those who only hit balls on the range.
How to Set Up for Consistent Short Game Success
Before we get into the specific shots, let's talk about the foundation that makes everything else work. After struggling with inconsistent contact around the greens for years, I finally discovered that most of my problems came from poor setup, not poor swing technique.
The Weekend Golfer Setup Formula
Here's the setup that changed everything for me, developed through countless rounds of trial and error with my playing partners:
Stance: Narrow your feet to about hip-width apart. This immediately gives you better control and balance. According to Justin Rose (tour professional with exceptional short-game skills), maintaining this narrower stance provides the stability needed for precise short game shots.
Weight Distribution: Get 60-65% of your weight on your front foot and keep it there throughout the swing. This is crucial - I used to leave my weight back and skull shots over the green regularly.
Ball Position: For most chips, position the ball slightly back of center in your stance. For higher pitch shots, move it to center. As Tom Watson (legendary golfer with chipping expertise) explains: "Ball position controls trajectory more than most weekend golfers realize."
Hand Position: This is where many amateur golfers go wrong. Your hands should be even with the ball or slightly ahead - never behind it. Phil Kenyon emphasizes that consistent hand position is the foundation of reliable short game performance.
Grip Pressure: On a scale of 1-10, keep your grip at about 4-5. Tiger Woods (multiple major champion) advocates for light grip pressure (about 4 on a scale of 1-10) to ensure lack of tension in your arms and softness in your hands.
🎯 Setup Success Checklist
- ⭐ Narrow stance (hip-width apart) for better control
- 💡 60-65% weight on front foot throughout swing
- 🔧 Ball position: back of center for chips, center for pitches
- 📊 Hands even with or slightly ahead of ball at address
- 🎪 Light grip pressure (4-5 out of 10) for soft hands
The Difference Between Chipping and Pitching (And When to Use Each)
One of the biggest revelations in my short game journey was understanding that chipping and pitching aren't just different names for the same shot - they're completely different techniques for different situations.
Understanding Chip Shots
A chip shot is designed to get the ball on the ground quickly and let it roll toward the hole like a putt. According to Derek Deminsky (Performance Golf short game expert), the key philosophy is choosing the easiest option - one you could execute 100 times successfully.
When to Chip:
- When you're close to the green with a clear path to the hole
- When there are no obstacles between you and the pin
- When the pin is in the back portion of the green (more room for roll)
- When you have a good lie in short grass
Chip Shot Technique: Based on my experience and expert instruction from Justin Rose, here's the most reliable chipping method:
- Club Selection: Use less lofted clubs when possible. A pitching wedge or even a 9-iron often works better than a sand wedge
- Ball Position: Slightly back in your stance
- Wrist Action: Minimal wrist hinge - think putting stroke with more loft
- Swing Length: Short, controlled motion
- Landing Spot: Aim to land the ball 2-3 steps onto the green and let it roll
Understanding Pitch Shots
A pitch shot carries farther through the air and stops more quickly when it lands. As Brad Faxon (renowned short game instructor) explains, this shot requires more technique but gives you more control in challenging situations.
When to Pitch:
- When you need to carry over obstacles (bunkers, rough, slopes)
- When the pin is close to your side of the green
- When you're in thicker rough that requires more loft to escape
- When you need the ball to stop quickly after landing
Pitch Shot Technique: Through years of experimentation and studying tour professionals, here's what works:
- Club Selection: Higher lofted wedges (sand wedge, lob wedge)
- Ball Position: Center of stance
- Wrist Action: Allow natural hinge in backswing and through impact
- Swing Length: Longer swing than chipping, but still controlled
- Body Movement: More rotation and weight shift than chipping
According to PGA Tour data from World of Short Game, the average proximity from 20 yards on a fairway lie is 6 feet for tour professionals. For weekend golfers, understanding when to chip versus pitch can easily improve this distance by 3-4 feet per shot.
🔧 Chip vs Pitch Decision Guide
- 🎯 Clear path to hole = Chip (lower, more roll)
- ⛳ Obstacles to clear = Pitch (higher, less roll)
- 💡 Pin in back of green = Chip for more control
- 📍 Pin close to edge = Pitch to stop quickly
How to Control Distance in Your Short Game
Distance control was my biggest frustration for years. I'd hit some chips 5 feet and others 25 feet with seemingly the same swing. Then I learned the secret that tour players use - and it changed everything.
The Backswing Length Method
According to Golf Magazine research and verified by multiple tour instructors, the most reliable way to control distance is through backswing length, not swing speed. Here's how it works:
The Three-Length System:
- Knee-high backswing: 10-15 yard carry
- Hip-high backswing: 20-30 yard carry
- Chest-high backswing: 35-50 yard carry
As explained in Golf.com's comprehensive short game analysis, golfers with great short games look smooth and athletic because they change swing size rather than swing speed. If you use the size of your backswing to control distance, you won't need to slow down your downswing or fake a long follow-through.
Calibrating Your Clubs
Here's a practice method that transformed my distance control: During a practice session last summer, I took the same location about 20 yards from the pin and hit shots with my 60-degree wedge, 56-degree wedge, pitching wedge, 9-iron, and 8-iron using the same knee-high swing.
The results were eye-opening:
- 60-degree wedge: 12 yards with soft landing
- 56-degree wedge: 15 yards with medium spin
- Pitching wedge: 20 yards with more roll
- 9-iron: 25 yards with significant roll
- 8-iron: 30 yards, mostly roll
According to Lou Stagner (golf analytics expert), this calibration approach eliminates guesswork and builds consistency. Write down your distances with each club for each swing length - it makes a huge difference.
🎥 Professional Demonstration
This video demonstrates the key differences between chipping and pitching techniques explained above
How to Practice Short Game at Home
One of the best things about short game improvement is that you can practice effectively at home. Last winter, when I couldn't get to the course regularly, I set up a simple practice area in my backyard that made all the difference.
Backyard Practice Setup
Basic Equipment Needed:
- Plastic or foam golf balls (won't damage property)
- A few target circles (use hula hoops or towels)
- Various clubs (pitching wedge through lob wedge)
- Small practice mat (optional but helpful)
Practice Routine That Works: Based on advice from multiple PGA professionals and my own experience, here's a 20-minute routine that delivers results:
- Setup Practice (5 minutes): Practice your stance, weight distribution, and hand position without hitting balls
- Distance Control (10 minutes): Hit to three different distances (10, 20, 30 feet) using different backswing lengths
- Club Selection (5 minutes): Hit the same distance with different clubs to understand trajectory differences
Indoor Practice Options
Even during winter months or bad weather, you can work on short game fundamentals:
Carpet Putting: Use a long hallway or living room to practice distance control with putting stroke Mirror Work: Practice setup position and swing mechanics in front of a full-length mirror Grip Pressure: Practice proper grip pressure while watching TV - muscle memory development
According to Performance Golf research, golfers who practice short game at home for just 15 minutes daily see improvement 2x faster than those who only practice at the course.
🏠 Home Practice Essentials
- ⭐ Plastic balls prevent damage, allow real practice
- 🎯 Target circles create specific goals for each session
- 💡 Mirror work improves setup consistency
- 📊 15 minutes daily beats 2-hour weekend sessions
What Are the Most Common Short Game Mistakes?
After playing with dozens of weekend golfers over the years, I've noticed the same mistakes show up repeatedly. The good news? Once you know what to avoid, improvement comes quickly.
Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Club Selection
Too many weekend golfers reach for their sand wedge or lob wedge for every shot around the green. As Justin Rose explains, opening the clubface slightly and using different clubs creates more versatility and control.
The Fix: Use the lowest loft possible to get the ball rolling like a putt. A pitching wedge or 9-iron often produces better results than a high-lofted wedge.
Mistake #2: Trying to Help the Ball Up
This was my biggest mistake for years. According to Golf.com analysis, recreational players often try to scoop the ball to get it airborne, but the opposite technique is required. You must be willing to hit down on the ball and make a divot to get it up in the air.
The Fix: Trust the loft of the club. Hit down on the ball and let the club do the work.
Mistake #3: Inconsistent Tempo and Rhythm
According to Dave Pelz's research (legendary short game instructor who coached Phil Mickelson), most amateur golfers decelerate through impact on short shots, leading to chunked or skulled shots.
The Fix: Match your backswing and follow-through lengths. If you take the club back knee-high, follow through to knee-high.
Mistake #4: Poor Green Reading
Even around the greens, slope matters. Phil Kenyon (specialist putting coach to tour professionals) emphasizes that reading the green for chip and pitch shots is just as important as reading it for putts.
The Fix: Always look at the slope between your ball and the hole. Plan your landing spot based on how the ball will roll after it hits.
Mistake #5: Tension and Over-Gripping
According to Tiger Woods' instruction, tension kills feel and distance control. Many weekend golfers grip the club too tightly, especially under pressure.
The Fix: Keep grip pressure at 4-5 on a scale of 1-10. Soft hands allow for better feel and more consistent contact.
According to PGA Tour statistics revealed by Lou Stagner, even tour professionals from 20 yards in the rough with at least 10 yards of green to work with leave 50% of their shots outside 8 feet. The key for weekend golfers is managing expectations while building consistency.
How to Develop Better Green Reading Skills
One aspect of short game that most weekend golfers completely ignore is green reading for chip and pitch shots. During a round last year, I started paying attention to how the ball rolled after landing, and it was a game-changer.
Reading Greens for Short Shots
Just like putting, the slope affects how your chip and pitch shots will roll after they land. According to short game experts, you should read the entire path from your landing spot to the hole.
The Three-Step Process:
- Walk to Your Landing Spot: Look back toward the hole and see how the ground slopes
- Visualize the Roll: Picture how the ball will behave after it hits your chosen landing area
- Adjust Your Aim: Account for the break just like you would on a putt
Choosing Landing Spots
Through trial and error with my regular playing partners, I've learned that most amateur golfers aim too close to the hole. The better approach is to pick a specific landing spot and trust the roll.
Landing Spot Guidelines:
- Chip shots: Land 1/3 of the way to the hole, let it roll 2/3
- Pitch shots: Land 2/3 of the way to the hole, minimal roll
- Uphill shots: Land shorter, expect more roll
- Downhill shots: Land longer, expect less roll
According to Golf Digest research, golfers who pick specific landing spots rather than just "aiming at the hole" improve their proximity to the pin by an average of 30%.
When Should You Use Different Clubs Around the Greens?
Club selection around the greens is an art that most weekend golfers never fully explore. After years of defaulting to my sand wedge for everything, I discovered that different clubs can make the same shot much easier.
The Multi-Club Approach
Based on instruction from top short game coaches and my own experimentation, here's when to use different clubs:
7-Iron or 8-Iron:
- When you have lots of green to work with
- Clean lie in short grass
- Uphill shots where you need extra roll
- Windy conditions where you want to keep the ball low
9-Iron or Pitching Wedge:
- Standard chip shots with medium trajectory
- Most versatile option for various lies
- Good compromise between carry and roll
Gap Wedge (52 degrees):
- Slight elevation needed
- Medium-distance pitches (20-40 yards)
- Shots requiring moderate spin and control
Sand Wedge (56 degrees):
- Bunker shots (obviously)
- Pitches over obstacles
- Shots from thicker rough
- When you need the ball to stop quickly
Lob Wedge (60 degrees):
- High, soft shots over bunkers or water
- Very short pitches that need to stop immediately
- Shots from tight lies where you need maximum height
According to Derek Deminsky (Performance Golf instructor), switching clubs to achieve different trajectories maintains a consistent swing technique, making the game simpler with fewer decisions to make on the course.
🔧 Smart Club Selection Guide
- ⛳ Lots of green = Lower lofted clubs (7-9 iron)
- 🎯 Standard chips = Pitching wedge (most versatile)
- 💡 Over obstacles = Sand wedge or lob wedge
- 📊 Tight lies needing height = Lob wedge only
Key Takeaways for Weekend Golfer Short Game Success
After 25 years of weekend golf and countless rounds experimenting with different techniques, here are the most important lessons that will transform your short game:
Start with Setup: Get your fundamentals right first - narrow stance, weight forward, proper ball position, and light grip pressure. According to multiple tour instructors, 80% of short game problems come from poor setup, not poor swing technique.
Understand the Difference: Learn when to chip (low and rolling) versus when to pitch (high and stopping). This decision alone can save you 2-3 strokes per round.
Control Distance Through Backswing Length: Stop trying to hit everything with the same swing at different speeds. Use knee-high, hip-high, and chest-high backswings for different distances.
Practice at Home: You don't need a golf course to improve your short game. Fifteen minutes of daily practice in your backyard or living room beats a two-hour weekend session.
Choose the Right Club: Don't default to your sand wedge for every shot. Use lower lofted clubs when possible to make shots easier and more predictable.
Read the Green: Pay attention to slope and plan your landing spot accordingly. Aim for specific targets, not just "somewhere near the hole."
Keep It Simple: According to Dave Pelz and other short game experts, the goal is to choose the easiest shot that will get the job done, not the most impressive one.
The bottom line? Your short game is where you can make the biggest improvement in the shortest amount of time. While your buddies are still struggling to hit perfect drives, you'll be the one consistently getting up and down from around the greens - and that's what's really going to drop your scores and earn you those bragging rights in the clubhouse.
Most importantly, remember that practice doesn't make perfect - practice makes permanent. Focus on building good habits with these fundamentals, and your short game will become the strongest part of your golf game.
Short Game Questions Every Weekend Golfer Asks
How long does it take to improve your short game?
Unlike swing changes that can take months to develop, short game improvement can happen much faster. With focused practice, most weekend golfers see noticeable improvement in their chipping and pitching within 2-3 weeks. According to Golf Digest research, spending just 30% of practice time on short game produces 3x faster score improvements than range-only practice. The key is consistent, purposeful practice rather than just hitting balls.
What's the easiest short game shot to learn first?
The basic chip shot using a pitching wedge or 9-iron is the easiest place to start. This shot uses minimal wrist action and a putting-like stroke, making it more predictable than higher-lofted pitch shots. Focus on setup fundamentals and distance control before moving to more advanced shots like flop shots or bunker play.
Should I always use my sand wedge around the greens?
No - this is one of the biggest mistakes weekend golfers make. Use the lowest loft possible to get the ball rolling like a putt. A pitching wedge or 9-iron often produces better, more consistent results than a sand wedge for basic chip shots. Save your sand wedge for situations where you need height to clear obstacles or stop the ball quickly.
How do I stop chunking and skulling short shots?
Both problems usually stem from poor setup and trying to help the ball up. Keep your weight on your front foot throughout the shot, position your hands even with or slightly ahead of the ball, and trust the loft of the club to get the ball airborne. Hit down on the ball and let the club do the work - don't try to scoop it up.
What's the best way to practice short game at home?
Use plastic or foam balls in your backyard or even indoors. Set up targets at different distances and practice distance control using different backswing lengths. You can also practice setup position and grip pressure without hitting balls. According to PGA professionals, 15 minutes of daily home practice is more effective than occasional long practice sessions.
How do I know when to chip versus when to pitch?
Chip when you have a clear path to the hole and want the ball to roll most of the way (low trajectory, more roll). Pitch when you need to carry over obstacles or stop the ball quickly (high trajectory, less roll). Generally, if you have lots of green to work with and no obstacles, chipping is the higher-percentage shot.
Weekend Golfer Short Game Resources
Looking to take your short game to the next level? Here are some valuable resources to continue your improvement journey:
Best Golf Training Aids for Short Game Practice - Discover training aids that actually work for weekend golfers looking to improve around the greens.
Short Game Shortcuts for Busy Golfers - Time-efficient practice routines that fit into any schedule and deliver real results.
How to Practice Effectively in Limited Time - Make the most of your practice sessions with proven strategies for rapid improvement.
7 Golf Chipping Tips to Enhance Your Game - Dive deeper into chipping technique with specific drills and troubleshooting advice.
Putting Tips That Actually Work - Complete your short game education with proven putting fundamentals and advanced techniques.
How to Break 90 with Limited Practice Time - Use your improved short game as part of a complete scoring strategy.
Best Golf Training Aids for Home Practice - Set up your own backyard practice area with equipment that works.
Course Management Tips - Learn when to be aggressive and when to play smart around the greens.
How to Lower Your Golf Score - Integrate your short game improvements into a complete scoring system.
Golf Mental Game Strategies - Build the confidence to execute under pressure around the greens.
Best Golf Wedges for Weekend Golfers - Equipment recommendations to complement your improved technique.
Golf Practice Routines That Work - Structure your practice time for maximum short game improvement.
Mastering the Short Game - Advanced techniques and strategies for taking your short game to the next level.
Putting Fundamentals - Master the most important part of the short game with proper putting technique.
Bunker Shot Tips - Don't let sand shots ruin your round - learn the fundamentals of bunker play.
Golf Swing Fundamentals - Build a solid foundation that supports both your long game and short game.
Best Golf Balls for Short Game Performance - Choose equipment that helps your short game improvements show up on the scorecard.
Weekend Golfer Tips - More practical advice specifically designed for golfers who play recreationally.
How to Practice Golf at Home - Detailed guide to setting up effective home practice routines.
Golf Improvement Tips - Comprehensive strategies for taking your entire game to the next level.
