Practice Smarter, Not Longer – The Secret to Short Game Mastery
- Eric J. Mac Donald
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
When it comes to lowering your scores, your short game is the key to success. Shots around the green often determine whether you’re saving par or walking away with a bogey (or worse). But mastering the short game doesn’t mean hours of random practice—it means practicing purposefully. In this blog, I’ll share proven strategies to improve your short game and make your time on the practice green count.
1. Understand Your Weaknesses
Before you dive into practice, assess your current short game. Are you struggling with bunker shots? Missing putts inside 6 feet? Having trouble with consistent chip contact? Identifying these gaps allows you to tailor your practice sessions to specific areas for improvement.
Pro Tip: Track your stats during rounds. How often are you getting up and down? What’s your average proximity to the hole on chips? Use this data to guide your focus.
2. Practice Realistic Scenarios
Randomly hitting chips or putts isn’t enough. Practice shots you’ll face on the course—short-sided chips, downhill lies, and long putts with a break. Simulating on-course conditions builds confidence and prepares you for real challenges.
Drill: Create a game where you must get up and down from different lies. Track your success rate and aim to improve over time.
3. Focus on Fundamentals
Even experienced golfers can benefit from revisiting the basics. Ensure your setup, alignment, and weight distribution are correct for every short game shot. Small adjustments here can lead to big improvements.
Key Fundamentals:
For chipping, keep your weight slightly forward and your hands ahead of the ball.
In putting, maintain a smooth, consistent stroke with proper grip pressure.
4. Incorporate Pressure into Practice
To truly elevate your short game, you need to practice under pressure. Challenge yourself to make 10 putts in a row from 3 feet. Miss one? Start over. This stimulates the nerves you’ll feel on the course.
Game-Changer Drill: Create a 9-hole short game course around the practice area. Play each shot as you would during a round and keep score. Compete against yourself or a friend.
5. Make Putting a Priority
Putting accounts for nearly half of your strokes in a round, yet it’s often the most neglected part of the practice. Spend at least 50% of your short game practice on putting, focusing on speed control, alignment, and short putts.
Drill to Try: Use alignment sticks or a putting mirror to ensure your eyes are over the ball and your stroke path is consistent.
6. Track Your Progress
Improvement doesn’t happen overnight, but tracking your progress ensures you’re moving in the right direction. Keep a journal of your practice sessions and note improvements during rounds.
Final Thoughts
Mastering your short game is one of the fastest ways to lower your scores and gain confidence on the course. By practicing with purpose and incorporating these strategies, you’ll see noticeable improvement and enjoy more success around the greens.
Ready to take your short game to the next level? Book a lesson with me at www.ericjmacdonaldpga.com and let’s get to work!
Better practice leads to better golf—and it all starts here.
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