6 Proven Short Game Tips to Lower Golf Scores

Like many golfers, you want lower golf scores. That helps you go low and chops strokes off your golf handicap.

But shooting lower golf scores is a challenge. The easiest—and fastest—way to do it is to do two things:

(1) master those short greenside wedge shots that can add strokes to your golf scores, and;

(2) improve your putting.

In other words, spend less time on your long game and more time on your short game.

Below are five proven short-game tips that can help you shoot lower golf scores.

Some of these golf tips may seem odd when you first try them. But I’ve vetted them all in my golf lessons, so I know they work. They’ve helped dozens of my students improve their short games. They can help you, too:

1) Use the same shaft plane on pitches: Many golfers take the club back on the inside when hitting pitches. But taking it back too far inside creates inconsistency. Instead, take the club back on the same plane you establish at address. Then come forward on the same plane. Doing so helps you loft the ball more easily, creates crisper contact, and improves accuracy.

2) Hold a square impact position on bump-and-runs: Bump-and-runs when mastered can lower golf scores. Two common problems with bump-and-runs are” (1) too much clubface rotation on these shots and (2) releasing your hands through impact.

Both are critical mistakes. The key to hitting good bump-and-runs is holding a good square impact position after striking the ball with your hands ahead of it. Do that and you’ll hit it close every time.

4) Release the clubhead on lofted chips: Unlike the bump-and-run, you want to release the clubhead through the shot when chipping. Play the ball forward in your golf stance and lean the shaft away from the target. You’ll have to keep your hands behind the clubface to do it. Now open the clubface a bit and use a swing with some wrist cock. As you move to impact, allow the clubhead to release.

5) Point the grip at your buckle when putting: If you use a straight-back-and-through putting stroke, keep the grip of your putter pointed at your belt buckle from start to finish. To do this, hold your hands away from your body a bit more. This change positions your eyes over the ball and the putter’s sole flat on the ground. As you go back, keep your elbow’s position the same. Post-impact, track the putter down the target line until you end your stroke. Hold that position.

6) Develop a smooth putting stroke: A common mistake in putting is to rush the putt, creating weak contact. That throws your ball speed off and you miss the putt. Some golfers practice with a metronome to create an extra smooth putting stroke. That works well in many cases. But you can also develop a smooth putting stroke with the drill described below.

Find a short straight putt. Assume your normal setup position. Then take your putterhead back and hold it there for a second. You want the putterhead completely static as this point. Now come through. As you do, concentrate on moving the putterhead straight through impact and into the finish. Hold this position for a second. Remember the feeling.

Practice this drill as often as you can. After a while, you’ll feel your putting stroke become smoother and more consistent.

Try these five golf tips next time you’re at the practice range. Some may work for you. Some may not. Incorporate the golf tips that work into your game the next time you go out. They’ll help you’ll card lower golf scores and trim your golf handicap.

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