Golf Drills/Practice
Instantly Lower Your Score With These 10 Short Games Tips
One of the most efficient ways to lower your golf scores is to improve your short game. A combination of good technique, proper shot selection, structured practice can add up quickly.
Sometimes, however, life gets in the way, and it’s hard to find the time to take a lesson or practice a much as you might like. Here are some shortcuts and ways to improve your technique right away.
1. Putting turn toes in
Keeping your lower body still when you putt will make it much more likely to roll your golf ball on the line you are aimed and also be more consistent controlling distance.
You can improve your chances of staying still by turning your toes in much like Arnold Palmer used to do. This will force you to keep your lower body still as it limits your ability to move and turn. You can use this for a drill, but many times, drills can work just as well when used over the span of your round.
2. Pace your putts – one inch per step
For those golfers who have played for a long time, controlling distance with putting is something they do thanks to years of trial and error.
But for newer golfers or those who struggle around the green, having a system to control distance can be a welcome skill.
And while it may be a bit oversimplified, you can improve your distance control by using a simple system of adding one inch to your backstroke for every foot of putt distance. It’s not perfect, but it’s a Bryson-approved way of helping gauge your distances.
3. Stroke then look
A good habit when putting is to complete your stroke, hold the finish and THEN turn your eyes to see the ball rolling.
This goes back to being still over your putting stroke to eliminate unnecessary and unwanted movement that can make it difficult to control distance and direction.
Make sure you complete your stroke, hold your finish and once the ball is well away from you, then turn to see it either go in, or roll close to the pin on a longer putt.
4. Lean forward when putting
You’ve heard the cliche that golf is a game of inches. One of the more frustrating examples of that is when your ball rolls just past the pin, off the edge of the green and settles into really deep rough. While it can be very tricky to hit a soft chip or pitch if you are just a couple of feet into the rough, you can putt instead.
To do this, make one very important setup change: place a ton of weight on your forward foot and drop your forward shoulder to match.
This extreme shoulder tilt toward the target will change the angle that the putter head approaches the ball. Rather than a shallow, sweeping stroke, this stance will help the putter glance down the back of the ball, which makes it much easier to have direct contact between the ball and the putter face.
This extreme contact angle will cause the ball to “jump” a bit, which typically clears the longer grass and then when the ball lands onto the green it will start to roll normally.
Once you get the feel of this it is a great way to shave strokes and also limit risk.
5. Choke down on short shots
Those really short chips and pitches can often be a big challenge when it comes to getting your distance control right. Here is a wonderful opportunity to use physics: shorten the lever, and less power will be delivered. The lower you hold on the club the shorter your golf ball will travel. It’s as simple as that!
Don’t hesitate to hold the very bottom of the grip, and in extreme cases, come off of the grip and down to the shaft.
6. Heel up for chips
When you are hitting your basic chip shot, grip lower on the handle, narrow your stance and slightly lean your weight, club shaft and upper body forward toward the target.
Many golfers will incorrectly fall back and try to lift the golf ball. This can cause you to hit the ground before the ball or even top it, but in either case contact will suffer.
A great “trick” to avoid this is to get all set up and then pick up your back heel and keep it up throughout your stroke. This will help to avoid any inclination to fall back and try to lift the golf ball, helping to produce solid ball and turf contact.
While this may be used as a drill, if you find it makes a big difference in contact, you may want to consider adding it to your on-course play.
7. Square looks open for pitches
When you are hitting a pitch shot with your lob, sand or gap wedge, the bottom is rounded on purpose. It’s called bounce. This design characteristic is built to allow your club to glide across the grass and not dig.
The good news is when you set the club properly on the bottom — where it doesn’t dig — there’s no reason to be hesitant about letting it hit the ground. This is what will help you to hit high, soft, beautiful pitch shots.
Setting this club properly on its bottom can look “open,” but rest assured, it’s not. It’s lofted, which is just how you want it.
8. RemeMber: Speed and sand
Greenside sand is one of my favorite areas to teach because it seems to cause so many frustrations for regular golfers.
The two major skills you need to be a good bunker player are 1) to take a lot of sand and 2) to generate lots of speed. Speed without sand, well….it’s gone and going far away. Sand without speed and you probably get to take a few steps forward and try it again.
I think one of the best ways to get good at this is to practice simply throwing sand out of the bunker and onto the grass. By taking the golf ball out of the scenario, you can practice proper motion.
Once you have the proper motion for whenever you find yourself in a bunker, keep it. Don’t change your technique, change your club selection. Higher lofted for closer shots and less loft for longer ones, but the motion is always the same.
9. Dig your feet in when you’re in the bunker
When in a bunker it is important to have your clubhead enter the sand before the ball, and stay into the sand long enough to exit the sand well after the ball.
What makes this possible comes from understanding what needs to happen, and also a proper setup.
The more you dig your feet into the sand at address, the more you lower the bottom of your swing. If you struggle with taking enough sand, remember that the more you dig your feet, the easier it will be to make that nice long divot that will produce successful sand shots. And don’t be shy here. Really dig your feet in enough to make the soles of your shoes disappear.
10. Always remember: Putt, chip, pitch
One of the quickest ways to improve you score and your short game is to limit your risk by choosing the least risky shot when possible. And if you have been around me at all, you understand that this is such a key to success.
Your priority order for short game:
1. Putt whenever you can.
2. Chip when you can’t putt.
3. Pitch only when you have to.
Simply understanding that order and sticking to it when you play will limit your risk and also allow subtle misses to not show up on your scorecard.
You might be surprised to know that better players know to limit their risk and choose the shot they can execute the highest percentage of the time, even if they’re proficient in all areas of their short game.
While having time to practice and take lessons is nice and will pay off on the course, having little “tricks” to help you to make better decisions and understand fundamentals can help you to see results right away.
This article originally appeared on Golf.com.
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Breaking 90: Real Golf Improvement Tips That Actually Work
Tired of hovering in the low 90s? You’re not alone. Here are real, proven golf improvement tips that will finally help you break 90—and do it consistently.
Why Breaking 90 Feels Like the Mount Everest of Golf
If you’ve ever wrapped up a round with an 89 on the card, you know the rush. For amateur golfers, breaking 90 isn’t just a number—it’s a rite of passage. It means your hard work is paying off, your decisions are sharper, and you’re starting to play golf instead of just swinging a club.
But here’s the thing: most golfers try to improve the wrong way. They tinker with their swing for months, chase YouTube tips at midnight, and buy the latest tech gear hoping it’ll shave strokes. Sound familiar?
As someone who spent years flirting with that 90 barrier, I’m here to tell you: you don’t need a perfect swing—you need a better strategy. Let’s get into the golf improvement tips that actually work.
Think Like a Golfer, Not a Swing Coach
Manage Expectations—Golf Isn’t About Perfect
You won’t stripe every drive or stick every wedge. So stop expecting to. Golf is a game of misses. The trick is making your bad shots better.
Start by dropping the obsession with perfection. Accept the occasional duff or slice. Focus instead on smart decisions and simple, repeatable swings.
“Golf is not a game of perfect. It’s a game of recovery.” — Dr. Bob Rotella, sports psychologist
Know Your “Go-To” Shot
If you’re trying to shape every shot like you’re on Tour, stop. Pick one reliable shot shape—fade, draw, straight—and stick to it. If your natural shot is a fade, play for it.
The moment I embraced my push-fade as a feature, not a flaw, my scores improved. I stopped fighting my swing and started playing smarter.
Play the Right Tee Box—Seriously
Too many amateurs play from tees that are way too long. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Move up. Hit more greens. Have more fun. And yes—lower your score.
If you’re not getting to par 4s in two, or regularly hitting 3-woods into par 3s, it’s time to drop back to reality. You’ll thank yourself later.
Course Management—The Secret Weapon
Avoid the Hero Shot
Stuck in the trees? Don’t go for the 4-iron stinger through a two-foot gap. Punch out, get back in play, and take your medicine.
Par is great. Bogey is acceptable. Doubles are killers.
Know When to Lay Up
Got 210 yards into a narrow green with water short and right? Don’t be a hero. Hit it 150 and wedge it close. Most amateurs lose shots by trying to make up for a mistake with an even riskier shot. That never works.
Your scorecard rewards consistency, not courage.
The 3 Must-Have Skills to Break 90
1. A Reliable Tee Shot
You don’t need to hit bombs, but you need to keep it in play. Ditch the driver if it’s wild. I played a 5-wood for three months and dropped 7 strokes off my average.
2. A Dependable Wedge Game
From 100 yards and in, you need a club (or two) that you trust. Learn one shot—half swing, three-quarter, whatever—and own it.
3. No 3-Putts
Three-putting kills rounds. Focus on lag putting from long range and knocking in those nervy 4-footers. Spend twice as much time on putting as you do on full swings.
Practice With Purpose, Not Hope
Don’t just hit balls at the range. Practice like you play:
- Hit different clubs in random order
- Play imaginary holes
- Make putting drills competitive
- Keep score
“Deliberate practice leads to deliberate improvement.” — Mark Blackburn, PGA Tour Coach
Track Your Stats and Find the Leaks
Use an app or simple scorecard notes to track:
- Fairways hit
- Greens in regulation
- Putts per hole
- Penalty strokes
You’ll quickly spot where you’re leaking strokes. That’s where the real work starts.
Mindset Shift—Focus on Process, Not Score
I used to obsess over my score on every hole. Now, I focus on one swing at a time. Breaking 90 isn’t about shooting a 39 on the front and holding on. It’s about stacking smart decisions, one shot at a time.
Breaking 90 isn’t about hitting perfect shots. It’s about making better decisions, avoiding big numbers, and playing within your game. These golf improvement tips aren’t magic—they’re practical, proven strategies that work for real golfers.
Try them on your next round, and don’t forget to celebrate the small wins—like finally keeping your tee shot in play on Hole 1.
Want more golf improvement tips like these?
Bookmark ClickItGolf.com and check back weekly for advice, gear guides, laughs, and insights to help you play better golf—without losing your mind.
For amateur golfers seeking to enhance their game, stay updated on golf news, or simply enjoy engaging discussions, podcasts offer a convenient and informative medium. Based on recommendations from reputable sources and golf communities, here are some top golf podcasts tailored for non-professional enthusiasts:
Hosted by CBS commentator Mark Immelman, this podcast features weekly interviews with instructors, coaches, players, and other golf experts. With over 700 episodes, it provides in-depth discussions aimed at helping golfers improve their skills.
A favorite among golf enthusiasts, No Laying Up offers a mix of tour coverage, player interviews, and discussions on various golf topics. It’s known for its insightful commentary and engaging content.
Featuring European Tour player Eddie Pepperell, this podcast provides a blend of tour insights and personal experiences, offering listeners a unique perspective on the professional golf scene.
This podcast chronicles the journey of two amateur golfers striving to achieve a scratch handicap. It’s relatable for many non-professional players and offers both entertainment and insights into the challenges of improving one’s game.
Hosted by golf coach Mark Crossfield, this podcast delves into various aspects of the game, from equipment reviews to swing techniques, providing practical advice for amateur golfers.
Hosted by Rick Shiels, a former golf teaching professional from Bolton, this podcast covers a wide range of topics, including equipment reviews, interviews with golf personalities, and discussions on current events in the golf world.
Hosted by popular golfer Andrew “Beef” Johnston and comedian John Robins, this podcast offers a light-hearted take on the game, discussing various golf topics and sharing personal anecdotes.
This podcast explores the highs and lows of being a golf enthusiast, sharing stories and experiences that many amateur golfers can relate to.
Featuring instructors Mark Crossfield, Greg Chalmers, and Lou Stagner, this podcast discusses various aspects of the game, offering insights and tips to help golfers improve.
Hosted by Peter Finch, this podcast features discussions with various guests, covering a wide range of golf-related topics, from equipment to personal experiences.
These podcasts offer a variety of content tailored to amateur golfers, from instructional advice to entertaining discussions. Whether you’re looking to improve your game or simply enjoy golf-related conversations, there’s likely a podcast on this list that suits your interests.
When it comes to shaving strokes off your scorecard, few shots are as reliable as the classic bump-and-run. While flashy flop shots and high-arching chips grab the spotlight, it’s the humble bump-and-run that consistently delivers results—especially under pressure.
What Makes the Bump-and-Run So Effective?
Unlike a high-lofted chip, which carries significant risk if not struck perfectly, the bump-and-run keeps the ball low and rolling, reducing the margin for error. This makes it ideal for those unpredictable lies just off the green, or when navigating subtle slopes and uneven terrain.
Key Tips to Nail Your Next Bump-and-Run:
- Club Selection Matters: While many players instinctively reach for a wedge, consider using an 8-iron or even a hybrid. These clubs help keep the ball closer to the ground, allowing for a more predictable roll.
- Position and Posture:
- Set the ball slightly back in your stance to encourage a downward strike.
- Keep your hands ahead of the ball at address and through impact.
- Maintain a balanced stance, favoring a slightly open set up to keep the stroke smooth and controlled.
- A Putting Stroke Mentality:
- Think of the bump-and-run as an extended putt rather than a miniature chip.
- Use a pendulum-like motion with minimal wrist action.
- Focus on rhythm and tempo—your goal is to get the ball rolling as soon as it lands.
- Distance Control:
- Consider the ratio of carry to roll. For example, if you’re just a few paces off the green, aim for a short carry and a longer roll. If you’re further back, plan for a slightly longer carry and less roll.
- Practice on various slopes to understand how different surfaces affect rollout.
When to Use the Bump-and-Run:
This shot shines on tight lies, downhill chips, or greens with plenty of room to work. It’s also an excellent choice when you’re playing on firm courses where the ball will naturally roll out more.
Mastering the bump-and-run might not look as dramatic as pulling off a high, spinning lob shot, but it’s the bread-and-butter play that helps you avoid big numbers. Add it to your arsenal, and you’ll see the payoff in lower scores and a more consistent short game.
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