Turn “bad lies” into scoring chances using repeatable contact and simple decision rules.

What matters most: distance control and predictability

The short game rewards discipline more than luck. Two ideas shape every good greenside shot: distance control and predictability. When you can land a ball where you intend and know roughly how far it will roll, you are already a shot ahead of most players.

• Focus on a repeatable contact pattern. A quiet, compact stroke with minimal wrist hinge through impact yields more consistent distance.
• Create a target for every shot. Pick a landing zone on the green and a margin of error around it rather than chasing the perfect line to the flag.
• Make a simple decision rule before every shot. If the ball sits near the edge of a lie or a tricky slope, default to the option that preserves centreline and pace.

Chipping basics: stance, loft, and ball position

Chipping is a blend of technique and decision. Build your fundamentals around three levers: stance, loft, ball position.

• Stance: keep your feet close together and the body mostly quiet. A narrow setup encourages clean contact. Let your weight settle on the front foot to promote solid contact and tidy divots.
• Loft: choose the club by the height you want and the amount of roll you can accept. A 54-60° wedge gives soft landings; a 9-iron or pitching wedge will run out more on firmer greens.
• Ball position: for most chips with a short club, place the ball slightly back of centre to promote a clean strike. If you opt for a lower running chip, move the ball closer to centre or even forward a touch to prevent a steep strike.

• Contact quality beats fancy technique. Aim to strike the middle of the clubface with a compact stroke rather than trying to “hit” a high, delicate shot.

Run-up vs stop: when to use each style

Two greenside styles cover most situations. Choose the one that aligns with lie, green speed, slope, and danger around the hole.

• Run-up (bump-and-run): use when the green is firm or speeds are quick, when there is space behind the ball for the ball to release, or when hazards demand low-trajectory certainty. Club choice tends to be 8-iron to PW range with a slightly crisper finish.
• Setup and strike: narrow stance, weight forward, ball slightly back in the stance, clubface square. Keep wrists quiet and sweep the club along the turf through impact.
• Target: pick a landing zone a few metres onto the green and let the ball release toward the hole.

• Stop shot (high loft): use when you need the ball to land softly and stop quickly, such as when the flag sits near the edge of a green or when greens are soft. Wedges around 54-60° are common here.
• Setup and strike: open the stance slightly to promote a higher launch, but keep the body stable. Aim to strike down on the ball just after it leaves the turf for maximum height.
• Target: land as close to the pin as safety allows, knowing the ball may check upon landing.

• Decide early, commit late. Once you’ve chosen run-up or stop, execute with a single, repeatable motion. Mixing styles mid-round undermines your distances and your confidence.

Pitching technique: setup for height and spin

Pitching is about controlled height and predictable stopping power. The goal is height with a reliable landing and a touch of spin that keeps the ball from releasing too far.

• Setup: a narrow stance, ball near centre, and weight slightly forward. Align your body to the target with the clubface square to the intended path.
• Open or neutral face: small face opening can increase launch. Use the minimal adjustment needed to achieve the desired height; avoid excessive opening that makes the shot hard to repeat.
• Path and rotation: swing with your torso and maintain a quiet lower body. Let the wrists hinge naturally but avoid an aggressive flip through impact.
• Contact and finish: strike the ball first, then let the clubhead glide down the slope of the swing arc. Finish with a high, controlled finish to help the ball lift and land softly.

Lies and targets: choosing the safe option

Bad lies demand smart choices. Read the lie, the slope, and the trouble around the green, then pick a shot that minimises risk.

• Thick rough or downhill lies: prefer higher loft and a more forgiving contact. The aim is to pop the ball out with enough height to land softly, followed by a controlled roll.
• Tight lies or firm turf: a lower-trajectory chip or bump-and-run can be more reliable than a high, soft flight. Keep the stroke compact and the contact clean.
• Slopes and hazards: identify a safe route to the green that avoids trouble. If the flag is perched on the crest of a slope, consider a safe landing zone well away from the flag and let the ball release toward the hole.
• Target discipline: visualise a landing zone rather than the pin. If you can place the ball on a defined spot with a predictable roll, you improve your par-saver odds.

• When the lie forces you into a risky shot, choose the conservative option. Scar tissue in your short game develops when you force high-risk plays from poor lies.

From 30 yards: three shot types, one mindset

At around 30 yards, you should have a clear plan for three staple options, all rooted in a single decision framework: assess the lie, the green, and the pin, then pick the shot that offers the most consistent result.

• Type A — High, soft landing: use a high-lofted wedge (60°+) with an open stance for extra height and a soft stoppage. Land well short of the flag and rely on a gentle check upon impact.
• Type B — Mid-height with controlled release: use a mid-loft wedge (54-56°) with a slightly narrower stance. Aim for a landing spot on the green that allows the ball to release toward the hole.
• Type C — Low run-out: use a lower loft (8-iron to PW) with a compact, shallow stroke to produce a low flight and generous roll. Choose a target a few metres before the hole and let the ball run out.

One mindset governs all three: set a single landing area and commit to one swing tempo. Your routine should be predictable, not heroic.

• Visualise the flight path before you address the ball.
• Pick a landing spot that is not directly at the hole if the green is challenging or the slope works against you.
• Execute with a repeatable tempo and finish with balance.

Practice drills: gates, landing spots, and repeats

Developing a reliable short game comes from deliberate, structured practice.

• Gates drill: place two tees or lofts so that your wedge head must pass cleanly through a narrow gate. This enforces square clubface at impact and a clean through-swing.
• Landing spot drill: mark a small landing zone on the green, your target point for the ball to land. Practice striking the ball so it lands in or near the zone and releases toward the hole.
• Repeats drill: choose a distance and repeat until you hit a repeatable contact point. Vary the club and distance to build confidence across different lengths and lies.
• Distance control ladder: practise chips that land 3, 6, and 9 feet from the hole. Knowing the ball’s stop distance helps you plan your shots under pressure.

• Short sessions, high intention. A few focused rounds of these drills, done with quality, will outpace longer, low-effort practice.

Scoring habits: how to save par from trouble

Scoring from trouble is about discipline, positioning, and a pragmatic plan.

• Escape to safety first: in difficult situations, prioritise a trustworthy stroke that gets you back onto the green rather than heroic, high-risk plays.
• Centre the green: when you can, place your chips on the broad green area to give yourself a straightforward two-putt opportunity.
• Two-putt mindset: in trouble, design a route that leaves you with a clear two-putt prospect rather than chasing a birdie that may jeopardise the next hole.
• Routine and rhythm: keep your pre-shot routine consistent, even when the pressure is on. A calm, repeatable routine helps you execute the shot you intend.

What’s more, your confidence will grow when you can leave the ball on repeatable positions—landing spots you know you can control, shot after shot.

What’s next: explore greenside bunker play to further sharpen your ability to save par in all greenside scenarios.