March’s Tip of the Month The Importance of Understanding Different Short Game Techniques

BY RYAN WILLIAMS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

If you’ve taken a lesson with me, especially if we’ve worked on parts of the game beyond the full swing or spent time on the golf course, you’ve probably heard me mention how there are no “position players” in golf. What I mean by that is, unlike in some sports, there isn’t a designated “driver” of the ball, or a player who focuses exclusively on irons, short game, or putting. In fact, I would argue that golf demands more diverse skills than any other sport.

Because of this, players often excel in one aspect of the game while struggling in others. The key question is: Why? Why can my natural swing make full shots feel effortless, but I struggle with putting or have the "yips" around the greens? Why do developing junior golfers tend to blade bunker shots? Why do some excellent drivers of the ball have trouble with simple bumpand-run chips?

The short answer is that these shots require different movements and sequences, all beginning with how you set up before you even swing. Until your body and setup align with the goals of the shot, success will be hard to achieve.

Full Swing vs. Short Game: A Key Difference

Let’s address a common misconception right away. It’s often said that chips and pitches are “miniature full swings,” but this couldn’t be further from the truth. This notion can be quite misleading and counterproductive when it comes to playing effective shots around the greens.

In a full swing, the goal is to accelerate the ball. This is achieved through what James Sieckmann calls a Power Sequence, where the body starts from a position of strength, presses into the ground, and transfers force into the club, then into the ball. Simply put, a full swing is about using the body to generate speed.

In contrast, the short game’s goal is to slow the ball down. In a short game sequence (which Sieckmann calls a Finesse Sequence), the club, not the body, leads the downswing. The body then acts as a stabilizing force. The short game is about finesse and touch, not power.

Setup for the Full Swing vs. Short Game

• Power Setup (Full Swing): Feet wide, knees flexed, body engaged.

• Finesse Setup (Short Game): Feet closer together, posture tall and relaxed.

Why the “Power Setup” Doesn’t Work for Short Shots

A common mistake in short game play is using the “Power Setup” for shots that require delicate control, like short chips that only need to carry a few feet. This creates a mismatch between the body’s setup and the goals of the shot. To highlight this, Parker McLaughlin, a tour short game coach (also known as Short Game Chef on Instagram), often gives struggling students a simple task: hit the ball just one yard using a 5-iron. Most players will instinctively hit it much farther, demonstrating how the wrong setup can lead to confusion. That’s where the first shot I want to talk about comes in: the basic chip or “bump ‘n run.”

The Basic Chip (Bump ‘n Run)

• Goal: Slow the ball down (finesse sequence)

• Carry Distance: Under 10 yards

• Clubs Used: Any club, but a higher-lofted iron is common (Raymond Floyd famously used a 3-iron for chips)

• Stance: Narrow, feet together

• Ball Position: Back of stance

• Posture: Tall, spine tilted toward the target

• Length of Motion: Small, like a putt with minimal wrist hinge

The Basic Pitch

The basic pitch is another short game shot worth discussing. The main difference between a chip and a pitch is that a chip rolls more than it carries, while a pitch carries more than it rolls. Because of this, a pitch requires more loft and a higher trajectory, which means more power in the setup. Still, a pitch is a finesse shot because you need to control the ball’s speed.

• Goal: Slow the ball down (finesse sequence)

• Carry Distance: 10-40 yards (for most adult players)

• Clubs Used: Wedges (unless playing on a large course or links course, where short irons might be used)

• Stance: Slightly wider than the chip stance, but still narrower than shoulder-width

• Ball Position: Varies depending on desired height or trajectory

• Posture: Tall, spine tilted, slightly more ground engagement

• Length of Motion: Between hip and shoulder height, with minimal to moderate wrist hinge

Distance Wedges: A Transition Between Short Game and Full Swing

Now, let’s talk about Distance Wedges. These shots are unique because, while they fall into the “short game” category, they require a power sequence— just like a full swing. The key is that, for Distance Wedges, the goal is to accelerate the ball.

• Goal: Speed the ball up (power sequence)

• Carry Distance: 50-100 yards (depending on the player’s swing and club choice)

• Clubs Used: Wedges (including pitching wedge, sand wedge, or lob wedge)

• Stance: About shoulder width

• Ball Position: Back of center

• Posture: Knees more flexed and engaged

• Length of Motion: From a small backswing to left arm parallel with the ground or a full swing motion

Diagnosing Your Short Game Struggles

Let me share a quick example of a student who struggled in one area of the short game despite excelling in another. This player was excellent at pitching the ball but had trouble with bump ‘n runs and Distance Wedges. His problem was that his pitching technique involved a larger swing, but when it came to smaller chips, his motion was too big. On the other hand, when attempting Distance Wedges (which require a power sequence), his finesse sequence caused him to mis-hit or underhit the ball. He was stuck in the middle. Understanding that Distance Wedges require more power (even though they’re part of the short game) is crucial for success.

Final Thoughts

If you find yourself excelling in one part of your short game but struggling in another, use this article as a diagnostic tool! Hopefully, it helps you understand some of the misconceptions around short game techniques and guides you toward a more effective approach to each shot. If you need additional help troubleshooting your game, either Teresa or I would be happy to work with you on refining your technique. We’re looking forward to seeing you out on the course, knocking down flagsticks and chipping in!