Top 3 Short Game Shots Every Golfer Should Practice

Learn the three most crucial short game shots to practice for shaving strokes around the green using the Pareto principle.

By Ryan Park, Golf Performance Coach 2026-07-04

Mastering the short game is crucial for lowering your golf scores. By focusing on the three most important short game shots—chipping, pitching, and bunker shots—you can effectively shave strokes off your game. Consistent practice of these shots, along with targeted drills, can lead to significant improvement.

Why Focus on the Short Game?

Many golfers overlook the importance of the short game, yet it accounts for nearly 60% of strokes in a typical round. By improving your skills around the green, you can make the most of every round. Practicing these shots efficiently can lead to lower scores without needing to overhaul your entire game.

How to Master Chipping

Chipping is essential for getting close to the hole from just off the green. Focus on using a bump-and-run technique with a 7 or 8-iron. Set up with your feet close together, weight slightly forward, and swing with a pendulum motion. Aim to land the ball a few feet onto the green and let it roll to the hole.

Chipping Drill

Set up a practice station with a hula hoop on the green. Aim to land your chips inside the hoop from various distances. Practice 10 reps from each spot, gradually increasing difficulty by adding obstacles. Incorporate varying lies by practicing from light rough and tight lies to simulate real course conditions. This not only helps with distance control but also with understanding how different lies affect ball behavior.

For additional challenge, place a towel on the green and aim to land your chips on it. This drill helps refine touch and precision, especially when dealing with uphill or downhill lies. Practicing with different clubs, such as a pitching wedge or sand wedge, can also help you adapt to various situations on the course.

Improving Your Pitching Technique

Pitching is vital for clearing obstacles like bunkers or rough when close to the green. Use a sand wedge or lob wedge, and focus on a higher, softer shot. Keep your feet slightly open, and hinge your wrists early in the backswing for more loft.

Pitching Drill

Use alignment sticks to create a narrow target zone on the green. From 20-30 yards, pitch 10 balls trying to land in the zone. Adjust your stance and clubface to control trajectory and spin. For added challenge, introduce a ladder drill, where you place multiple zones at different distances and practice landing pitches progressively farther. This helps with distance control and adaptability.

Another effective drill is the clock face drill. Visualize a clock around the green, and pitch to each hour position from a central point. This encourages versatility and helps you practice varying distances and angles, which is crucial for dealing with different pin placements.

Conquering Bunker Shots

Bunker shots can be intimidating, but mastering them is key to a strong short game. Use an open stance and clubface to increase loft. Aim to hit the sand a couple of inches behind the ball, using a full follow-through.

Bunker Drill

Draw a line in the sand behind the ball. Practice hitting the sand on the line without a ball, then add a ball and replicate the swing. This drill helps develop consistency in sand contact. To simulate various bunker conditions, practice from both fluffy and compacted sand, adjusting your swing to ensure solid contact regardless of sand texture.

For advanced practice, set up a series of targets at varying distances from the bunker. Aim to land shots on each target, focusing on controlling the distance and spin. This drill enhances your ability to manage different bunker scenarios and improves your confidence in executing these challenging shots.

How to Structure Your Practice Sessions

Devote at least 50% of your practice time to the short game. Rotate through chipping, pitching, and bunker shots, spending around 20 minutes on each. Incorporate drills, and track your progress with notes on what works best. Use a practice journal to log each session, noting what drills you performed, any adjustments made, and areas needing improvement. This systematic approach helps identify patterns and accelerate progress.

Integrating Mental Strategies

Developing a strong short game also involves mental preparation. Stay focused, visualize successful shots, and maintain a positive mindset. Read more about the mental approach in our article on mindset shifts that help break 80. Practice mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing and visualization exercises, before each practice session to enhance focus and calmness under pressure.

Using Tools to Enhance Practice

Consider using a launch monitor to provide feedback on your short game shots. It helps you understand spin rates and trajectory, which are crucial for fine-tuning your technique. For more advice, check out our guide on practicing with a launch monitor. Additionally, using video analysis to review your swing mechanics can help identify flaws and facilitate more efficient practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best club for chipping?

The best club for chipping often depends on the situation, but a 7 or 8-iron is commonly used for a bump-and-run technique, which is effective for beginners and seasoned players alike.

How do I improve my bunker shots?

To improve bunker shots, practice hitting the sand a couple of inches behind the ball with an open stance and clubface. Focus on a full follow-through to get the ball out of the bunker.

How often should I practice my short game?

Aim to practice your short game at least twice a week. Spend 30-60 minutes focusing on chipping, pitching, and bunker shots to see consistent improvement.

What drills can help with pitching?

Use alignment sticks to create a narrow target zone and practice landing pitches within it from various distances. This helps control trajectory and spin.

How can I integrate mental strategies into my short game practice?

Visualize successful shots, maintain a positive mindset, and focus on the process rather than the outcome. This mental focus can significantly improve performance.

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