fairwayhabits

Feel is the secret ingredient that cannot be taught, only cultivated.

When you move beyond simply getting the ball airborne, the short game becomes a playground of touch and imagination. This guide invites intermediate golfers to explore the artistry of wedge shots, delicate chips, and silky putts — the strokes that score, and the strokes that stay with you.

Wedge Play

• Assess your lie and choose the right wedge for the distance and trajectory you need.
• Set an athletic stance with feet slightly wider, weight centered.
• Swing with a smooth tempo, limiting wrist hinge; let your body turn control distance.
• Focus on crisp contact; brush the turf after the ball for better spin and control.
• Practice half and three-quarter swings to develop a versatile distance toolkit.

Chipping

• Position the ball back in your stance with weight slightly forward to encourage a downward strike.
• Keep your wrists quiet and hinge minimally; maintain a soft grip for feel.
• Rock your shoulders and chest to swing like a putting motion.
• Select a landing spot and imagine how the ball will roll; adjust loft accordingly.
• Practice with different clubs to understand roll vs. carry and develop creativity.

Putting

• Study the contours and grain of the green; visualize your ball’s path.
• Adopt a relaxed, comfortable stance with eyes over the ball.
• Control distance with a pendulum motion and a consistent tempo.
• Maintain a light grip to improve feel and keep the face square.
• Hold your finish and listen for the ball to drop; don’t look up too soon.

Treat each wedge, chip, and putt as an invitation to tune in; the more present you are, the more expressive your short game becomes. Finesse and feel will not come overnight. They blossom over many quiet sessions around the practice green and countless up-and-down attempts on the course. Keep leaning into the small motions; they hold the magic.