10 Tips to Dramatically Improve Your Short Game

Your short game accounts for roughly 60% of your total strokes. Here are 10 proven tips to improve your chips, pitches, and bunker shots:

1. **Master Your Distances** - Know exactly how far you hit each wedge. Practice chipping from 20, 30, 40, and 50 yards. This consistency is crucial for course management.

2. **Use a Consistent Chipping Grip** - Grip down on the club and use a narrow stance. Keep your hands ahead of the ball at address and maintain that position through impact.

3. **Focus on Tempo** - Your short game tempo should be smooth and rhythmic. Practice with a metronome to develop consistency. A smooth tempo beats raw power every time.

4. **Commit to Your Shot** - Hesitation kills short game shots. Pick your target, visualize the shot, and execute with confidence. Doubt leads to deceleration.

5. **Practice Lag Putting** - Spend 30% of your putting practice on lag putting (long putts). Getting close from 30+ feet saves more strokes than making short putts.

6. **Develop a Pre-Shot Routine** - Use the same routine for every chip, pitch, and putt. This builds confidence and consistency under pressure.

7. **Master Bunker Fundamentals** - Open your stance, aim left of target, and swing along your body line. The club should enter the sand 2-3 inches behind the ball.

8. **Work on Spin Control** - Practice hitting chips with different trajectories. Low runners for tight lies, high floaters for soft landings. Versatility is key.

9. **Play Games During Practice** - Don't just hit balls. Play games like "up and down" challenges or "closest to the pin" competitions. This builds pressure tolerance.

10. **Record Your Misses** - Track which shots you miss most often (thin chips, fat chips, three-putts). Focus your practice on these weaknesses.