Everyone wants to be able to blast a drive 300 yards or flag an iron from the fairway, but the real key to lower scores is dialing in your short game.
Think about it like this: If you’re a typical recreational golfer, you’re likely missing more than half of greens in regulation. So, a tidy short game is a no-brainer if you want an easy way to shave strokes off your scores.
Heck, even if you are a stick, having a great short game is still a tremendous asset. Watch the pros each weekend and you’ll see what I mean. On the PGA Tour this season, the average scrambling percentage is nearly 60 percent, meaning every time they miss a green, they’re more likely than not to get up-and-down.
As a weekend warrior, there’s no way you’ll ever be that successful around the greens, but that doesn’t mean you can’t strive to save par more often. And as is usually the case, the easiest place to start in that endeavor is focusing on the fundamentals.
GOLF Top 100 Teacher Mike Dickson has more on that subject below.
3 fundamentals for better chipping
If you haven’t seen Scottie Scheffler’s chip shot on the 17th hole at Caves Valley that sealed his victory over Robert MacIntyre last weekend, you must be living under a rock.
One big reason Scottie has been so dominant over the last several seasons is his ability to save par when he misses the green. His touch is sensational, and he’s second on Tour in up-and-down percentage. Most golfers believe the key to playing better is hitting more greens in regulation — and yes, that helps — but as a coach, I’ll tell you this: it’s far easier for me to teach a player to chip it inside 5 feet than to hit a 7-iron inside 5 feet.
With that in mind, let’s break down three key fundamentals to help you chip it closer and save par like Scottie.
1. The setup
Your setup is critical to using your wedge’s loft and bounce correctly. Below are a few tips you can rely on to nail your setup every time.
Narrow your stance: Get your feet underneath your pelvis. This helps center your head over the ball, which is crucial around the green — especially on uneven lies. As my mentor Mike Adams says, “The club wants to hit the ground where your head is.” A wide stance tends to push your head behind the ball, which we don’t want.
Step in closer: Standing slightly closer to the ball makes the shaft more upright, creating a steeper swing plane that promotes better contact.
Don’t lean the shaft forward: A forward shaft lean removes loft and bounce, inviting the dreaded chunk or blade. Instead, the butt of the club should point at your belt buckle.
Adjust only for lie: Only shift your weight forward if the lie is poor. Let the severity of the lie determine how much you lean — not by pushing your hands forward artificially. In extreme cases (like a “god-awful” lie you wish was someone else’s), move the ball back in your stance and shift your weight 80/20 toward the lead foot to encourage a steeper strike.
Ball position rule of thumb: Keep the ball centered or slightly forward — unless the lie is terrible.
2. The motion
Many players try to make their backswing and follow-through the same length. That’s a mistake. If you watch Scottie’s chip at Caves Valley, you’ll see he keeps the clubhead low in the finish. I teach a 2:1 ratio — two-thirds back, one-third through.
To feel this, match your tempo back and through. Imagine tossing a ball underhand near the green, or feel like you’re swinging a club underwater — smooth and controlled. This helps you deliver consistent energy without rushing the downswing.
3. The wrists
This might be the most important — and most overlooked — fundamental. Keep your lead wrist level during the backswing. Do not hinge or cock the wrists. Too much wrist action adds unwanted speed and leads to inconsistent contact.
By keeping the wrist quiet, you’ll flight the ball better, control your distance more precisely and make more consistent contact with the ball.
Better players often call this the “dead hands” shot, but I think it’s more accurate to call it the dead wrists shot. Your hands stay active — your wrists do not. Scottie relies on this technique for most of his greenside shots, and it’s a huge reason why he’s among the Tour’s best in proximity to the hole.
