Why your short game matters more than you think
Fit for Play
The
Big
Short
Why your short game matters more than you think
by DAVE POND
IF YOU SPEND ANY TIME PLAYING your local course, you’ ll notice something right away: Most rounds are not won or lost with the driver, they’ re decided from 100 yards and in. That’ s the short game.
“ The short game is one of the most important parts of golf for amateur players because it has the biggest impact on scoring,” said Keith Cooper, Lead Assistant Golf Professional at Suffolk’ s Cedar Point Club.“ Most amateurs don’ t hit enough greens in regulation, so they rely heavily on chipping, pitching, and putting to save strokes.”
These are the shots that happen closest to the hole and where scores are truly made. While long drives look impressive, it’ s the ability to get up and down that separates a frustrating round from a satisfying one. Let’ s break down why the short game matters so much, especially for amateur players.
CONFIDENCE STARTS WITHIN 100 YARDS Most amateur golfers don’ t hit every green in regulation. In fact, even solid players might only hit six to 10 greens in a round. That means on at least half the holes, you’ ll need your short game to save par, or at least limit the damage.
There’ s a mental side to the short game that often gets overlooked: When you trust your ability to chip and putt, you’ ll play an entirely different type of round. You swing more freely and aim more confidently. But when your short game feels shaky, everything tightens up— mind and body alike.
“ Confidence in the short game changes everything,” Cooper said.“ When players trust their ability around the greens, it takes pressure off the rest of their game. They are no longer afraid of missing shots, which allows them to swing more freely and commit to their decisions.”
PERFECTION ISN’ T THE GOAL One common mistake many amateurs make is thinking their short game needs to be perfect. It doesn’ t. Good short game players manage expectations, play smart, and avoid short-sided misses. They focus on leaving the ball below the hole.
“ The most common mistake I see is players trying to help the ball into the air with their hands,” Cooper said.“ That leads to scooping, flipping, and inconsistent contact.”
So, your goal isn’ t to hit every chip to tap-in range— it’ s to leave yourself a makeable putt more often.
THE FUNDAMENTALS MATTER While short game improvements can feel difficult, they’ re built on simple fundamentals: solid contact, proper setup, controlled tempo, and good distance control. Many amateurs struggle because they want to overhaul their swing every time they hit a bad shot. But the best players keep things simple and repeatable.
“ Setup is the most important thing in every aspect of the game, especially in the short game,” Cooper said.“ About 85 percent of problems stem from poor setup, while only 15 percent are actual swing mechanics.”
A good setup includes an athletic posture, weight slightly forward, and a clubface that works with the bounce. From there, the motion becomes much more natural.
And no short game discussion is complete without putting— this is where everything comes together. The key is simple: Control distance first, focus on starting the ball on your intended line, and keep your routine consistent. Spend time on lag putting, and the number of threeputts you write down on your scorecard will be cut in half— or more.
THE BIG PICTURE At the end of the day, golf is a game of scoring, not just ball striking, and the short game is where scoring happens. Improving that is the most reliable way to lower your handicap, build confidence, and enjoy the game more.
“ If I had to simplify it, it would come down to setup and trust,” Cooper said.“ If you can consistently get into a good position and then simply rotate your body and let the club do the work, it cleans up a lot of inconsistency.”
You don’ t need a perfect swing, you just need to get better where it counts.
36 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M AY / J UNE 2026 vsga. org