A strong short game can make or break your round of golf. While most players spend countless hours on the driving range working on their long game, it’s often the putting and chipping that decide the final score. Mastering these skills not only reduces strokes but also builds confidence and consistency. Below are proven drills designed to significantly improve your putting and chipping, helping you perform under pressure and lower your handicap.

Why Focus on the Short Game?

The short game includes all shots played near or on the green—especially putting and chipping. According to golf statistics, nearly 70% of strokes in a round occur within 100 yards of the hole. That’s a huge percentage that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Putting and chipping may not look as flashy as a 300-yard drive, but they’re the real game-changers. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned golfer, targeted practice through effective drills can sharpen your touch and transform your scores.

PUTTING DRILLS

1. Gate Drill for Straight Putts

This drill helps build a reliable, repeatable stroke for straight putts—ideal for those tricky 3 to 5-foot putts that can add up over a round.

How to Perform:

• Place two tees slightly wider than the width of your putter head, forming a gate.
• Align the gate just behind the ball.
• Putt through the gate without touching the tees.

Benefits:

• Enhances stroke alignment.
• Builds confidence with short putts.
• Reduces mishits and off-center contact.

2. The Clock Drill

Perfect for honing your skills around the hole from multiple angles.

How to Perform:

• Place 6 to 8 balls in a circle around a hole, each about 3 feet away—like numbers on a clock face.
• Putt each ball consecutively, trying to make them all.
• Restart if you miss a single putt.

Benefits:

• Improves consistency from short range.
• Helps handle pressure putts.
• Develops a strong mental routine under repetitive conditions.

3. Lag Putting Drill

This drill is ideal for improving distance control on long putts.

How to Perform:

• Choose a long-distance target (30 to 50 feet).
• Place a club or alignment stick 2 to 3 feet behind the hole.
• Try to roll the ball past the hole without going beyond the club.

Benefits:

• Enhances speed control.
• Reduces three-putts.
• Trains feel and green reading on long distances.

4. One-Handed Putting Drill

Designed to promote a smooth, stable stroke.

How to Perform:

• Use only your trail hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) to putt.
• Start with short putts and gradually increase the distance.
• Focus on controlling the putter head and making solid contact.

Benefits:

• Strengthens hand-eye coordination.
• Improves tempo and rhythm.
• Eliminates wrist breakdown during the stroke.

5. Eyes-Closed Putting Drill

Improve your feel and touch by taking vision out of the equation.

How to Perform:

• Line up a short putt (3 to 5 feet).
• Take your stance and close your eyes just before making the stroke.
• Focus on feel and tempo.

Benefits:

• Heightens sensory awareness.
• Improves distance control through feel.
• Builds trust in your stroke.

CHIPPING DRILLS

1. Landing Spot Drill

Learning to control where your chip lands is essential to controlling how it rolls.

How to Perform:

• Place a towel or alignment stick 2–3 feet onto the green.
• Chip with the goal of landing the ball on that exact spot.
• Use different clubs (e.g., PW, 9-iron, 7-iron) to see how the ball reacts.

Benefits:

• Develops precision with landing zones.
• Trains roll-out judgment.
• Works on distance control with multiple clubs.

2. Hula Hoop Drill

This drill is about mastering distance and accuracy with your chips.

How to Perform:

• Place a hula hoop or make a small circle (around 3 feet in diameter) on the green.
• Chip balls with the aim of landing them within the circle.
• Use different lies and distances for variety.

Benefits:

• Boosts accuracy.
• Trains delicate touch.
• Offers a visual target for immediate feedback.

3. One-Club Challenge

Helps improve creativity and feel around the green.

How to Perform:

• Use just one club (like a sand wedge or 8-iron) for all types of chip shots during a short game practice session.
• Experiment with different ball positions and loft presentations.
• Try hitting low bump-and-runs, high soft shots, and everything in between.

Benefits:

• Encourages versatility.
• Sharpens understanding of clubface manipulation.
• Builds creativity under pressure.

4. Feet-Together Drill

Focuses on balance and contact.

How to Perform:

• Set up to chip with your feet together, heels touching.
• Chip 10 balls focusing on clean contact and controlled swing.
• Add challenge by using varying lies.

Benefits:

• Improves balance and stability.
• Eliminates unnecessary body movement.
• Encourages clean, centered contact.

5. Fringe-to-Flag Drill

Perfect for practicing chip shots with limited green to work with.

How to Perform:

• Place the ball just off the green, with the flag only 10 to 15 feet away.
• Try landing the ball just onto the green and letting it roll to the hole.
• Practice using different clubs to learn how loft affects roll.

Benefits:

• Sharpens your touch on tight shots.
• Prepares you for pressure shots near the green.
• Builds confidence in judging soft landings.

Bonus Tips for Effective Short Game Practice

Practice with Purpose

Don’t just go through the motions. Approach each drill with intent and track your progress over time. Use scorecards or journals to record your make percentage or distance proximity.

Simulate Game Pressure

Challenge yourself with “one-and-done” drills. For example, set a rule: you can’t leave the practice green until you make five consecutive putts from 4 feet. Adding pressure during practice helps prepare you for competition.

Mix Up Conditions

Try putting and chipping from uphill, downhill, and sidehill lies. Use wet grass, firm turf, or deep rough to make practice more game-like.

Set Goals

Set small, achievable goals for each session—such as landing 7 out of 10 chips within 3 feet. These goals help keep you motivated and give your practice structure.

Final Thoughts:

Improving your putting and chipping doesn’t require hours each day. Just 15–30 minutes of focused practice several times a week can produce noticeable results. The drills above are designed to build confidence, sharpen technique, and improve performance under pressure.

Whether you’re aiming to win tournaments or simply beat your weekend buddies, a polished short game is your fastest route to success. Commit to these proven drills, stay consistent, and you’ll start to see a major difference in your scores.