Aside from putting, the short game is perhaps the most important part of a good scoring round, especially for higher handicap players. If you can't land a 200-yard 5-iron on the green consistently, you'll be digging the wedges out time and again. So it's vitally important you work on your short game. Follow our tips to lower your scores and be a demon around the greens.

1. Get a feel for the clubs - practice
   Short game is all about feel, much like putting. If you don't put the hours in at the driving range, how do you expect to be able to hit good shots on the course?
2. Never hit a shot you haven't rehearsed
   Having the imagination to play new shots is great - until you thin them through the green or float them short. Practice your shots at the range before you try them on the course.
3. Swing with less effort
   Wedges are about getting it close with precision - don't use more than about 70-80% effort and swing speed. You're not going for distance, you want accuracy.
4. Use soft hands
   Loosen your grip and keep your hands soft. Let your arms do the work, swinging through the ball. You'll learn to feel this. Don't force it.
5. Learn the chip shot
   The chip shot is a great confidence booster for those of us who can't flop or pitch it consistently. The chip runs towards the flag and can be played with almost any club. It can often be more accurate than a lofted shot.
   The chip shot is almost like a putt. Learn more about the chip shot.
   
6. Learn when to chip and when to pitch.
   Both shots are valuable but can be called upon at different times. For more info see this article .
7. Always make a full swing without fear
   Don't be fearful and poke or jab at a pitch shot - this will result in something that comes up short. Learn the swing speed required to get it to the hole and not through the green but never fear the shot - this will be a worse result than hitting it too far.
8. Keep the ball back in your stance on a pitch shot
   Unless the ball is really sitting up, keep it further back in your stance than you normally would.
9. Strike through the ball with a long followthrough
   Your followthrough should be longer than your backswing. This drill will help you remember to strike the ball cleanly.
10. Grip tight when in the rough
    The extra grass will add resistance - if your hands are too soft you will lost control. Have some practice swings in the longer grass.
11. Remember you'll lose spin in the rough
    Shots played out of heavy grass will have less spin because the blades on your club will not have as much contact with the ball.
12. Always visualise the shot and where you want to land it
    Never just hit and hope - pick an exact target on the green. How else will you know what you did wrong if you don't know what you did right?
    

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