The short game includes putting already discussed but also focuses on getting the ball close to the hole from 90 yards in. In order to improve your scoring this is the area that needs the most focus, but unfortunately most amateur golfers ignore this area in favour of hitting hundreds of balls on the range - so don't join them!

The various elements of the short game include:

1. Full golf shots from 60-90 yards
2. Pitch golf shots from 30-60 yards
3. Chip golf shots around the green
4. Bunker golf shots
5. Golf Shots from heavy rough.

Golf professionals will get down in two from 90 yards in far more often than not, but for a mid handicapper this hardly ever happens so a big focus on this area will pay dividends to your golf game.

Golf Club Selection

In order to master the fundamentals of your golf short game, firstly it's advisable to invest in a couple of decent golf wedges. A 52 degree or gap wedge is very useful as is a more versatile 56 degree or sand wedge. Finally you may consider a 60 deg lob wedge as well although these are harder to hit and have a smaller margin for error.

Regulate your Golf Swing

Once you have your wedges you must learn how far you hit them. Don't worry about the actual distance, these are not clubs that should go far, but more importantly focus on the consistency of distance. If you hit your sand wedge 70 yards, for example, more or less the same every time this is better than hitting it 90 sometimes and 80 others. So practice for consistent distance. You can then hit shorter distances by regulating your swing, use a half or three quarter swing to obtain different results. With a couple of wedges and just 3 different length swings you can master a lot of different distances.

Pitching & Chipping

As you get closer to the hole, then it becomes a bit more difficult to regulate distance as you are not playing shots with a normal swing. It becomes more a swing of the arms and from 30 yards in, golf professionals spend probably about half their time practising.

A general rule of thumb is to get the ball onto the green and rolling towards the hole as soon as possible so that you mimic a putt for as much of the shot as you can. For pitching and chipping, therefore, don't rule out using a 6 or 7 iron if it can hit the ball on a low trajectory and then get the ball running on the green towards the hole like a long putt. You don't have to chip everything in the air right at the hole. As you get more proficient or if you have obstacles in the way then you can take the aerial route with a more lofted wedge.

Shots from the Rough

Bunker shots and chips from heavy rough can be similar. Take a stance which is slightly open to the target, open the club face and then take a fuller swing through the ball. It should pop up and land softly.

To summarise, check your technique with your local golf professional and then think like a pro and practice, practice, practice!