Tired of Those Fussy Chips? My 3 Favorite Short Game Drills…

Chip It Close, Putt It In: 3 Must-Know Drills for a Killer Short Game

How many times have you hit a fantastic drive, a solid iron to just off the green, and then… poof? All that good work vanishes with a clunky chip or a tentative pitch shot? You know that feeling when you just can’t get it close enough to save par, or even bogey?

It’s frustrating, right? The short game, those crucial shots around the green from 100 yards in, is where scores are made or lost. You can have the prettiest swing in the world, but if you can’t chip it close and putt it in, you’re leaving strokes out there. And trust me, it adds up fast!

The good news? You don’t need a complete overhaul to transform your short game. Often, it just takes a few targeted, consistent drills to build that touch, confidence, and control around the greens.

Ready to stop wasting strokes around the green and start converting more pars (and even birdies!)? Let’s dive into 3 must-know drills that will give you a killer short game.

Golfers Struggle Around the Green

Here’s what typically happens when your short game isn’t sharp:

1. You Two-Putt (or Three-Putt) Too Often: When your chips and pitches consistently land 20+ feet from the hole, you’re putting immense pressure on your putting, leading to frustrating three-putts.
2. Lack of Feel & Control: Without a consistent practice routine, your hands lose that delicate touch needed for different lies and distances, resulting in chunks, skulls, or shots that fly way past the hole.
3. Fear of the “Yips”: That anxiety over delicate shots leads to hesitation, causing jerky movements and inconsistent contact, especially on those make-or-break chips.
4. Leaving Shots Short: Often due to a lack of commitment or understanding of proper technique, many golfers fail to get the ball to the hole, leading to more putting attempts.
5. Mental Breakdown: Frustration from a poor chip or pitch often spills over into the next shot, leading to more mistakes and a spiral of bad play.

HOW TO FIX IT: 3 Killer Drills for a Sharper Short Game

You don’t need fancy equipment or hours. These drills are simple, effective, and you can practice many of them right in your backyard or a local park. The key is consistency!

✅ Drill 1: The Landing Spot Drill (for Pitching)

This drill helps you master distance control and understand trajectory.

Teaches you to visualize and control exactly where your ball lands on the green, taking the guesswork out of your pitches.

• HOW TO DO IT:
  1. Pick a target (e.g., a flag, a spot on the green).
  2. Now, visualize a “landing zone” about 5-10 feet short of your target, where you want the ball to hit the green and then roll out.
  3. Take 10-15 pitch shots (from 20-50 yards out), focusing only on hitting your designated landing spot, letting the roll take care of the rest.

Vary your landing spot. For some shots, aim for a closer landing spot (for more roll). For others, aim closer to the hole (for more stops). You’ll quickly get a feel for how different landing spots dictate roll.

✅ Drill 2: The One-Handed Chip (for Chipping Feel)

This drill is fantastic for developing a delicate touch and proper wrist action.

Forces you to use your body and maintain a stable wrist through impact, which is crucial for clean contact and consistent chipping.

• HOW TO DO IT:
  1. Grab your chipping club (e.g., 8-iron, pitching wedge).
  2. Take your normal chipping setup.
  3. Practice chipping only with your lead hand (left hand for right-handers, right hand for left-handers). Focus on keeping your wrist firm and leading the clubhead.
  4. Repeat with only your trail hand. This builds feel and strengthens the dominant hand’s role in guiding the club.

Hit 10 shots with your lead hand only, then 10 with your trail hand only, then 10 with both hands. You’ll be amazed how much more aware you are of your hands and wrists, leading to cleaner contact.

✅ Drill 3: The Gate Drill for Putting (for Stroke Path & Accuracy)

This simple drill is a classic for a reason; it instantly fixes your putting path and keeps you aligned.

Ensures your putter swings on a straight path through impact, eliminating pushes and pulls, leading to more putts rolling true.

• HOW TO DO IT:
  1. Place two tees in the ground, just slightly wider than your putter head, creating a “gate.”
  2. Place your ball about 6 inches behind the gate.
  3. Set up to a hole or a target. Make 10-15 putts, ensuring your putter passes cleanly through the gate without touching either tee.

If you hit a tee, analyze why. Was your putter head opening or closing too much? Were you taking it too far inside or outside? This instant feedback is invaluable for grooving a repeatable, accurate putting stroke.

Listen, the short game is where you can shave strokes off your score without having to spend hours rebuilding your full swing. These three drills are simple, effective, and they target the core elements of a great short game: distance control, touch, and accurate putting.

Don’t let those shots around the green frustrate you anymore. Commit to just 15-20 minutes a few times a week with these drills, and I promise you’ll start seeing your ball finish closer to the hole, leading to more pars, more birdies, and a whole lot more fun on the course.

Ready to stop watching your score climb and start watching it drop?

Let’s make the next round your best one yet.