Top Drills to Improve Your Short Game: Lower Your Scores Fast

Top Drills to Improve Your Short Game: Lower Your Scores Fast

The difference between a good golfer and a truly great one often comes down to mastery of the short game. While long drives may grab attention, it’s the finesse of chips, pitches, bunker play, and putting that really shaves strokes off your scorecard. In fact, with around 65% of shots taking place within 100 yards of the hole, focusing on your short game is the fastest way to lower your handicap. That’s why in Top Drills to Improve Your Short Game: Lower Your Scores Fast, we’ll show you how to sharpen these crucial skills and transform your performance on the course.

In Top Drills to Improve Your Short Game: Lower Your Scores Fast, you’ll discover the most effective techniques trusted by PGA Tour pros and elite coaches. Whether you’re struggling with mis-hit chips, inconsistent putting, or bunker shots, this all-in-one guide delivers proven drills to help you sharpen your touch and elevate your performance around the greens—fast.

Why the Short Game is So Important

Before we dive into drills, let’s look at why short game mastery matters:

✅ Saves More Strokes – A great short game recovers from bad drives
✅ Builds Confidence – Knowing you can get up-and-down reduces pressure
✅ Works in Any Condition – Doesn’t require a driving range to practice
✅ The “Scoring Zone” – Most birdie and par opportunities happen here

(Fun Fact: Phil Mickelson estimates 80% of his practice time is dedicated to short game!)

Section 1: Chipping Drills for Precision

1. The Coin Drill (For Clean Contact)

Problem: Fat or thin chips
Fix:

Place a coin 1 inch behind the ball

Focus on missing the coin, striking ball-first

Reps: 50 chips daily

2. The Hula Hoop Drill (Landing Zone Control)

Problem: Inconsistent chip distances
Fix:

Lay a hula hoop 10-15 feet away

Practice landing 5 balls in a row inside it

Pro Tip: Change hula hoop distances

3. One-Handed Chipping (For Better Feel)

Problem: Overactive hands
Fix:

Chip with only your lead hand (left hand for righties)

Forces proper body rotation

Reps: 20 chips per session

Section 2: Pitching Drills for Distance Control

4. The 3-Clock System (Dial In Wedges)

Problem: Inconsistent pitch distances
Fix:

Imagine a clock face:

9 o’clock = 30 yards

10 o’clock = 45 yards

11 o’clock = 60 yards

Practice each backswing length

5. The Towel Drill (Stop Scooping)

Problem: Lifting pitches instead of compressing
Fix:

Place a towel 2 feet behind the ball

If you hit the towel, you scooped

Reps: Until you miss the towel 10x straight

6. The “No Look” Pitch (Develop Touch)

Problem: Over-reliance on visuals
Fix:

Pitch with eyes closed to enhance feel

Start with short 10-yard shots

Section 3: Bunker Drills for Easy Escapes

7. The Dollar Bill Drill (Perfect Splash)

Problem: Heavy or thin bunker shots
Fix:

Draw a line in the sand (like a dollar bill)

Practice hitting 2 inches behind the line

Key: Follow through to a full finish

8. The Tee Gate (Clubface Control)

Problem: Open/closed face inconsistencies
Fix:

Stick two tees outside your clubhead width

Practice splashing sand without hitting tees

9. The “No Ball” Drill (Focus on Sand)

Problem: Over-focusing on the ball
Fix:

Draw a ball-sized circle in sand

Practice splashing sand out without a real ball

Section 4: Putting Drills for Deadly Accuracy

10. The Gate Drill (Start Line Perfection)

Problem: Pushed/pulled putts
Fix:

Set up two tees just wider than your putter

Putt through the gate from 3 feet

Progression: Move back to 6 feet after 10 makes

11. The Coin-on-Putter Drill (Strike Quality)

Problem: Inconsistent impact
Fix:

Balance a coin on your putter face

Stroke putts without dropping it

12. The “20 in a Row” Drill (Pressure Putting)

Problem: Missing short putts
Fix:

Putt 3-footers until you make 20 straight

Start over if you miss

Section 5: Advanced Short Game Combos

13. The Up & Down Challenge (Simulate Pressure)

Drop 10 balls around a green

Chip each one, then putt out

Goal: Get 7/10 up-and-down

14. The “Worst Ball” Game (For Scrambling)

Play two balls from each spot

Must hole out with the worse one

Forces recovery skills

15. The 100-Yard Randomizer (Course-Like Practice)

Take 3 clubs (SW, PW, 9i) to 100 yards

Randomly alternate clubs for each shot

Practice Plan for Rapid Improvement
Day Focus Area Drills Time
Monday Chipping Coin Drill, Hula Hoop 30 min
Wednesday Putting Gate Drill, 20 in a Row 25 min
Friday Bunkers Dollar Bill, No Ball 20 min
Weekend Mixed Up & Down Challenge 45 min
Common Short Game Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Decelerating Through Impact – Causes chunks and blades
❌ Poor Setup (Ball Position/Weight Distribution) – Leads to inconsistency
❌ Practicing Only Full Shots – Neglects scoring shots
❌ No Practice Routine – Random hitting isn’t effective

Final Thoughts

Great short game players aren’t born—they’re made through deliberate, focused practice. By incorporating these drills into your routine, you’ll start saving par from everywhere, turning bogeys into pars and pars into birdies.

Which drill will you try first? Let us know in the comments! ⛳