There is a new trend happening in golf, and as someone who truly wants to see golfers improve, it is very exciting to see. People are interested in getting better at the short game.

Over the last three years, I have seen an exponential increase in the number of short game lessons I give to students and of all my group clinics that I teach. The ones pertaining to short game topics fill up the quickest and have the most participation. It’s also more and more common on the practice green on a weekend afternoon to see multiple golfers with shag bags and sometimes lawn chairs set up so they can get in a lot of repetitions with their short game.

However, when these golfers come off the golf course and I ask them how they hit their short game shots, they’re usually frustrated. They say that they can’t take it from the practice area to the golf course. That’s usually because they put in a lot of repetitions working on their technique, but they spend little time testing themselves under pressure to see if they are comfortable enough with what they have practiced to perform when it counts.

In teaching terms, these golfers do not spend enough time on something we call “transfer practice.” Transfer practice refers to trying to take a skill that was developed in the practice area through simulated on-course situations, which helps golfers work the skill into their on-course games. The best way to do this, especially with the short game, is to quite simply play some games to add pressure to your practice, which will help calm the nerves that show up when the shot counts. Below I’ve listed some of my favorite games to play and list whether or not they can be played individually or with friends.

Putting Games

Over/Under Par (Individual or with Multiple Players)

The purpose of this game is to help students develop their mentality when putting, and hopefully move them past the fear of not three putting and get them to start thinking about making putts.

• Start with one golf ball and pick a series of putts about 15 feet from the hole.  The hole will be a Par 2, and the goal is to try and see how many under par you can get through 18 different putts. If you are playing by yourself, you can set an under-par goal that you must reach before you finish.
• The game can be adjusted for short putts, which become a Par 1.5 (a make is under par, and miss is over par), or for lag putting where the putts are now Par 3s.

21 (Minimum of 2 Players)

This game follows a similar scoring system to its basketball counterpart where contestants try to reach 21 points without going over.

• Pick the order of play between competitors. The first to play will pick a putt of any distance to any location. The remaining competitors will follow.
• The competitor who is closest to the hole will earn 1 point and have the next choice of putt to be hit. If a competitor makes the putt and no one else is able to make it, then they receive five points. The game continues until someone reaches 21 points without busting.
• If a player busts, they return to 13 points (many golfers make their own local rules to change this so they don’t penalize a made putt).

Ladder Drill (Individual or Multiple Players)

This drill is great for learning to hit putts under pressure and also a great way to wrap up a practice session.

• Take five golf balls and place them at 3 feet working out to 15 feet. Hole each putt consecutively, making all five of the putts. If you miss, you must start over again at the beginning.
• To add some pressure and fun to the game, compete against a buddy to see who can complete the challenge first. Although speed is not a requirement on the golf course, the added pressure is great to help you learn how to calm your nerves.

Around the Green Games

Up and Down (Individual or Multiple Players)

This is the best game for your all-around short game and learning to transfer your skills to the golf course.

• With one golf ball, pick a location from off the green and hit the shot. Once you have reached the green, grab your putter and hole out, keeping track of how many strokes it takes you. The idea is for you to improve your up and down percentage and simulate what really happens on the golf course instead of hitting dozens of shots from the same area.
• Keep score by setting up nine locations and trying to get the ball in the hole in the fewest number of strokes. If you are playing with a friend, try to see who can get the most up and down.

 Ladder Drill (Individual or Multiple Players)

This game can be set up in multiple scales and yardages and preferably is not set up on a practice area but in a safe space that has plenty of room.

• Set up 5 targets starting at 10 yards and working your way out to 50 yards in 10-yard increments. When I set this game up, I will use hula hoops, but it can be done with towels or any other object you would like.
• Begin by hitting shots and attempt to hit each target at the varying distances. Continue until you hit each target with a shot. You can play individually and see how many strokes it takes to hit all five targets or play against friends to see who can hit all the targets first.
• Another variation is to move the targets so the closest target is 50 yards and the farthest is 100 yards (if space is available to do that).

There is a point in learning to be focused on technique. If you are a beginner or if you are learning a new shot, then the necessary time must be spent to learn the proper action of the swing to perform. But once you feel comfortable with the new skill being learned, a majority of your practice time should be spent putting yourself in situations that will provide similar situations to the golf course.

Using these games will not only help to do that, but will also help you simulate the pressure that will inhibit you from performing on the course. Try incorporating these games into your practice routine more regularly and watch your short game improve.