Mastering Your Short Game: Tips and Drills for Improved Performance

Improving your short game is an area that has helped my students and truly made a difference in their scores. I’m going to be highlighting some valuable short-game tips and giving you some practical drills that will help you score better and have more confidence when you're on or around the green.

Lance's Short Game Routine

In the first video, we're with Lance on the back-chipping green at Sea Island. Lance's short game routine is a lesson in consistency and focus. He starts by visualizing the shot, pretending there's a ball in front of him. This simple yet effective technique helps him get the feel for the shot he's about to play.

Lance then identifies his landing spot, steps over the ball, and repeats the feeling he had during his practice swings. This routine ensures that he's mentally and physically prepared for each shot. Remember, practice swings should mirror the energy of the actual shot. By paying attention to these details, you can enhance your short game like Lance.

Rachel's Short Game Process

Our second video features Rachel, a student who plays at Western Kentucky. Her short game process begins with walking up to the green and assessing her options. She likes to "feel out" the situation. Then, she returns to the ball, finalizes her landing spot, and starts her routine.

Rachel takes one realistic swing, steps over the ball, says, "Hit my spot," and repeats the swing. Her focus is on a clear and concise routine that keeps her mind in the game. This methodical approach can help you gain control over your short game, just as it does for Rachel.

What you do and say may need to be different than what you see in these videos. If you want to work on your process you can do this in my Score Better Video Program.

Kaleb's Distance Control Drill

In the third video, we join Kaleb for a distance-control drill known as "Lines." Kaleb places six balls in a line, progressively farther from the green, and aims for a specific target. His goal is to get at least four out of the six balls inside two club lengths of his target.

This drill is fantastic for honing your distance control, a crucial aspect of the short game. By setting up your own "Lines" practice, you can work on consistent pitch and chip shots that land precisely where you intend them to.

Michael's 'Six Swing' Drill

Our final video introduces Michael and the "Six Swing" drill. In this exercise, Michael makes six consecutive swings, three with the ball in the way and three without. The goal isn't to focus on where the balls go but to ingrain a consistent swing pattern.

This drill is an excellent way to eliminate excessive ball focus and promote a repeatable short-game swing. Michael's dedication to repeating his swing is a lesson for all golfers seeking to improve their short-game performance, but especially those who tend to get too ball/impact conscious.

Your short game can be a powerful asset on the course, helping you save strokes and build confidence. The tips and drills presented in these videos offer a structured approach to mastering your short game. Incorporate these techniques into your practice routine, and you'll see a significant improvement in your ability to get up and down from around the green. With dedication and the right techniques, you can become a short-game maestro and lower your scores with finesse and precision. If you want to commit to improving in the long term, join The Score Better Video Program and get your first month free.