How to Build a Short Game That Saves Par

Here's a statistic that should change how you practice: roughly 65% of all golf shots occur within 100 metres of the hole. Yet most amateur golfers spend the majority of their practice time on the driving range beating full shots.

If you want to lower your handicap faster than any other method, invest in your short game. Here's how.

The biggest mistake I see with chipping is using too many different techniques for different situations. This creates inconsistency under pressure.

Instead, master one fundamental chipping technique and vary the club to change trajectory and roll:

The basic chip setup:

• Narrow stance, ball back of centre
• Weight favouring the lead foot (60–70%)
• Hands slightly ahead of the ball
• Minimal wrist action — use your body rotation

From there, use a 9-iron for a lower, running chip. Use a sand wedge for a higher, softer landing. The technique stays the same; the club does the work.

The 3-6-9 rule: A chip with a 9-iron will carry roughly 30% of the distance and roll 70%. A pitching wedge is 50/50. A sand wedge is 70% carry, 30% roll. Use these ratios to pick your club based on where you need to land the ball.

Pitching — shots from 20 to 80 metres — is where many golfers leak shots. The challenge is distance control, not technique.

The most effective system I teach is the clock method:

• 7 o'clock backswing (hands to hip height) = approximately 30 metres
• 9 o'clock backswing (hands to shoulder height) = approximately 50 metres
• 10 o'clock backswing (hands above shoulder) = approximately 70 metres

These distances vary by player, so you need to calibrate your own numbers. Spend 20 minutes on the range hitting shots with each swing length and measure the carry. Write the numbers down. Now you have a reliable system.

Three-putting is the most common way amateur golfers throw away shots. The fix isn't a new putting stroke — it's better distance control.

The gate drill: Place two tees just wider than your putter head, about 30cm in front of the ball. Practice rolling the ball through the gate. This trains a square face at impact and a consistent path.

The ladder drill for distance control: Place five balls at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 metres from the hole. Putt each one, trying to get every ball within a 60cm circle of the hole. This builds the feel for varying distances that eliminates three-putts.

Here's a 30-minute short game session I recommend to my students:

The key is consistency. Three sessions per week of focused short game practice will produce measurable improvement within four to six weeks.

Short game pressure is real. A 1-metre putt to save par feels nothing like a 1-metre putt in a practice session.

The best way to prepare is to practise with consequence. Create games with yourself — "I have to hole three in a row before I can leave." This simulates the focus required on the course and builds the mental resilience to perform when it counts.

Every golfer's short game faults are different. Some struggle with technique, others with distance control, and many with the mental side under pressure.

In my online coaching plans, I analyse your short game through video submission and provide specific drills tailored to your exact weaknesses. You'll know precisely what to work on — and why.

Want a personalised short game plan? Explore my coaching options and let's get your scoring game sharp.