Golf Blog
How to Improve Your Short Game: Putting & Chipping Mastery (Part 1)
When it comes to lowering your score, the secret isn't found in your driver—it's in your short game. Mastering your putting and chipping can shave strokes off every round, turning bogeys into pars and pars into birdies.
At Hawk's View Golf Club, we see it all the time: players with powerful drives struggle to score because they haven't developed consistency around the green. The good news? Improving your short game is one of the fastest ways to elevate your entire game—and this guide will show you how.
⛳ Why the Short Game MattersAccording to the PGA, more than 60% of all shots in a round happen within 100 yards of the green. That means if you want to get better at golf, you need to get better at your short game.
Mastery here isn't just about technical skill—it's about confidence, creativity, and touch.
Chipping Basics: Get Up & Down More OftenMost golfers reach for a wedge by default, but sometimes a 7-iron or 9-iron bump-and-run is the smarter play.
💡 Rule of Thumb:
- If you have plenty of green to work with, go with a lower-lofted club (like a 9-iron).
- If you need height or the ball has to carry rough, use your sand or lob wedge.
✅ Keep It Simple
✔️ Narrow stance
✔️ Weight slightly forward
✔️ Hands ahead of the ball
✔️ Use a pendulum-style stroke with minimal wrist action
Avoid trying to "scoop" the ball. Instead, let the loft and clubface do the work for you.
🏌️♂️ Chipping Drill: The Towel Drill- Lay a towel a foot behind the ball.
- Make sure your club never touches it.
- This encourages clean, descending contact—essential for crisp chips.
Your putting stroke will only be as consistent as your setup.
✔️ Eyes directly over the ball
✔️ Hands under your shoulders
✔️ Feet shoulder-width apart
✔️ Grip pressure: light and relaxed
💡 Pro Tip: Use a mirror or alignment tool on the practice green to fine-tune your posture.
✅ Control Your Distance, Not Just DirectionMost missed putts come up short—or roll way past the hole. Focus on controlling your speed by practicing:
- Lag putts from 20–30 feet
- Three-foot testers to build confidence
⛳ Putting Drill: The Gate Drill
- Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head
- Stroke the ball through the "gate" without hitting the tees
- This helps improve face control and stroke path
Don't just "hit a few chips" before your round. Try this simple, weekly practice routine:
- 10 minutes: Lag putting from 20–40 feet
- 10 minutes: Chipping from 5–10 yards off the green
- 10 minutes: Pressure putting from 3–6 feet (try to make 20 in a row!)
🔁 Repeat weekly and watch your scores start dropping.
🏌️♀️ Common Short Game Mistakes to Avoid❌ Too much wrist movement when chipping
❌ Decelerating the club at impact
❌ Looking up too early during putting
❌ Relying on one club for every short shot
👉 Fixing these habits can lead to instant improvements in both confidence and scoring.
📍 Short Game Practice at Hawk's View Golf ClubLooking to take your short game to the next level? Come sharpen your skills on our:
- Dedicated short game practice area
- Smooth, well-maintained putting greens
- Custom instruction from PGA-certified professionals
📞 Book a short game lesson or evaluation today!
🔗 Click here to schedule a lesson
Improving your short game doesn't require a swing overhaul—just the right focus, repetition, and guidance. With a few key adjustments, better touch, and smarter shot selection, you'll start saving strokes in no time.
Make the short game your go-to weapon, and you'll gain more than lower scores—you'll gain confidence in every round.
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