The short game in golf is everything that happens within 100 metres of the green: the approach, the chip, the pitch, the bunker shot and the putt. And it is, by a wide margin, the part of the course where most strokes are won or lost. A good share of the shots in a round are played within 100 metres of the green, and almost none of them get practised: most of us spend our practice on the driver.
If you’re near Barcelona on a golf trip and want to score better this season, this is where to start. Here are the tips that actually work, and where to put them into practice.
The essentials in 20 seconds:
- What it is: every shot within 100 metres of the green (approach, chip, pitch, bunker and putt)
- Why it matters: it’s where you play the most shots in a row, so every good one goes straight onto your card
- The golden rule: always choose the simplest shot; the less the ball flies, the less can go wrong
- Where to practise: La Roca Golf (30 minutes from Barcelona) splits the short game into dedicated areas at its Training Centre
Why the short game decides your scorecard
Think about it: you hit the drive once per hole, at most. But around the green you can play two, three or four shots in a row. Every stroke you save there goes straight onto the card, with no need to hit it further or change your swing.
There’s a less obvious reason too: the short game doesn’t depend on strength or age. It’s feel, simple technique and hours of well-directed practice. That’s why it’s the fastest way to lower your handicap at any level, and the most rewarding when you’re starting out.
The tips that work
1. Always choose the simplest shot
Golden rule around the green: putt before chip, chip before pitch, pitch before flop. The less time the ball spends in the air, the fewer things can go wrong. If you can putt from off the green, putt. Pride doesn’t cut strokes; a rolling ball does.
2. On the approach, distance is king
Most missed approaches don’t go left or right: they come up short or run long. Distance is controlled by the length of your backswing, not by how hard you hit: the further back you take the club, the further the ball flies, at the same tempo. Practise the same shot at 20, 30 and 40 metres and you’ll watch the “almosts” turn into comfortable putts.
3. On the chip, weight forward and quiet hands
Set up with your weight on the front foot, the ball back in your stance and your hands ahead of the ball. From there, the move is a shoulder pendulum, no wrists. It’s the most reliable shot in golf once you stop trying to “help” the ball up: the club’s loft already does that.
4. In the bunker, hit the sand (not the ball)
The bunker shot is the only one where you don’t strike the ball: you hit the sand about 4 to 5 centimetres behind the ball, and the sand lifts the ball out. Open the face of the sand wedge, accelerate through and finish the swing. The classic mistake is decelerating out of fear, and that fear disappears by practising in a real bunker, not on the fairway.
5. Read the green for the chip too
The break that affects your putt affects your chip just the same once the ball lands and rolls. Before every short shot, read the green as if you were about to putt: it will change your landing spot and, with it, the result.
6. Practise with a target, not at random
Hitting 50 balls in a row to the same spot is fun but teaches little. Turn every session into a game: 10 balls at three different distances, score how many you leave within two metres, try to beat your record. That gentle pressure is what saves you out on the course.
Where to practise all of it (properly)
Every tip above has one requirement: somewhere to practise each shot in real conditions. At La Roca Golf, 30 minutes from Barcelona, the Training Centre spreads the short game across dedicated areas:
- Short Game Zone: over 10,000 m² of real playing turf, with 3 natural green platforms and shots of up to 100 metres. All mown like a fairway, to work the approach as you would on the course.
- Approach Area: an elevated green with a bunker and several pin positions, for shots of up to 30 metres from fairway and rough.
- Rolled Chip: a flat 40-metre setting made exactly for tip number 3.
- Putting Green: 1,000 m² with slopes from 5º to 15º and putts of over 50 metres.
And if you’d rather speed things up with professional help, La Roca Academy’s golf lessons in Barcelona work the short game from the very first session, including if you’re just starting out with a beginner course.
Frequently asked questions about the short game
What exactly is the short game in golf?
Every shot played within about 100 metres of the green: approach, pitch, chip, bunker shot and putt. It’s the phase of the game that most influences your final score.
How much time should I spend on the short game?
A simple benchmark: half your practice time. If you train two hours a week, one for the short game and putting already makes a difference within a few weeks.
Chip or pitch: which do I pick?
The chip (a low ball that rolls) whenever there’s no obstacle between you and the pin. The pitch (a higher ball) only when you need to carry something or stop the ball quickly. When in doubt, the lower shot.
Can I practise the short game without being a club member?
Yes. La Roca Golf’s Training Centre is open to everyone: you can come and practise the short game even if you’ve never played a full course.
Start shaving off strokes at La Roca Golf
The short game is the fastest, cheapest improvement in golf: it costs no strength, no new technique, just well-directed practice somewhere you can repeat every shot.
Want to work on your short game where it really counts? Check options and availability on the services and rates page or drop by the Training Centre at La Roca Golf, 30 minutes from Barcelona.
Content reviewed by La Roca Golf Academy.
