The Ultimate Guide to Golf Short Game: Chipping, Pitching, Lob Shots & Bunker Play

A great Golf Short Game is your key to lower scores. Whether you’re refining your golf chipping technique, developing soft landing pitching techniques, learning how to execute a precise golf lob shot, or practicing smarter golf bunker play, this guide covers everything you need to master your scoring zone.

What You’ll Learn:

• Golf chipping and pitching techniques
• Chip vs pitch in golf: how and when to use each
• Bare lies, rough, fringe, and bunker lie adjustments
• Lob shots, chippers, and hybrids for control and confidence
• Gear recommendations
• Chipping games for golf improvement
• Golf chipping vs pitching strategy explained
• Golf Short Game best practices

Golf Chipping: The Reliable Ground Game

Golf chipping is a low-trajectory shot played just off the green that spends minimal time in the air and rolls like a putt. It’s a key element in the golf short game and a great shot to rely on under pressure.

When to Chip:

• You’re within 5–10 yards of the green.
• You have plenty of green between you and the hole.
• The ball is not obstructed by a bunker or thick rough.

Golf Chipping Technique:

• Narrow stance with 60% of your weight on your lead foot (left for right-handed players).
• Ball slightly back in your stance.
• Hands ahead of the ball.
• Use firm wrists and a putting-like motion.

Chipping from a Bare Lie:

• Use a club with less bounce to avoid bouncing off hard ground.
• Stay quiet with the hands and use minimal wrist hinge.
• Make sure to strike ball-first with a slightly steeper angle.
• Consider using a PW or 9i instead of a wedge.

❗ Sweeping motions increase the risk of hitting thin. Crisp contact is essential from a bare lie.

Recommended Clubs for Chipping:

• Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge
• Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedge

Golf Pitching Technique: Control the Height and Spin

Golf pitching is a higher trajectory shot that lands soft with minimal rollout—ideal for approach shots just off the green or shots over obstacles. It plays a vital role in developing a versatile golf short game.

When to Pitch:

• You’re 15–40 yards from the green.
• You need to carry rough, a bunker, or ridge.
• There’s limited green to work with.

Pitching Technique in Golf:

• Slightly wider stance with 60–65% weight forward.
• Ball centered or slightly forward.
• Use a moderate wrist hinge and a fluid, accelerating swing.
• Use a gap wedge, sand wedge, or lob wedge.

Pitching from a Bare Lie:

• Use a wedge with mid bounce (50°–54°).
• Steepen your angle slightly—no scooping.
• Hinge early and commit to a clean descending blow.
• Practice contact on tight turf before using it in a round.

❗ Lob wedges are risky off bare lies unless your technique is dialed in.

Recommended Pitching Wedges:

• Titleist Vokey SM10
• TaylorMade MG4 Wedge

Chip vs Pitch in Golf: What’s the Difference?

Understanding golf chipping vs pitching is essential for making smart decisions around the green.

Aspect	Golf Chipping	Golf Pitching
Trajectory	Low	High
Air-to-Roll Ratio	10% air, 90% roll	60% air, 40% roll
Ideal Distance	5–15 yards	15–40+ yards
Club Choice	7i–PW, chipper, hybrid	Gap, sand, lob wedge
Swing Style	Putting-like motion	Full motion with wrist hinge
Lie Suitability	Clean, tight, short grass	Clean fairway, light rough, bare lies

Practice both chipping techniques for golf and pitching technique golf style to handle any situation confidently and improve your overall Golf Short Game.

Lob Shots: High, Soft, and Precise

The golf lob shot is the highest trajectory shot in the short game arsenal, designed to fly high and land soft—perfect for tight pins and tricky slopes. It’s a specialty shot that elevates your golf short game arsenal.

When to Hit a Lob Shot:

• Clean lie with the ball sitting above the turf.
• You’re short-sided with little green to work with.
• You need to carry a bunker or slope.
• The green has tiers or heavy slope, and you want to land it near the hole to avoid roll and misreads.

Technique:

• Open the clubface before grip.
• Open stance, early wrist hinge, and full follow-through.
• Accelerate through impact and let the club slide under the ball.

❗ Avoid lob shots from buried lies or rough when possible—they’re risky, even for skilled players, and can quickly derail a great round.

🏌️ Recommended Lob Wedges:

• Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore (60°)
• Callaway JAWS Raw (60°)

Hybrid and Chipper for Golf Chipping Consistency

If you struggle with wedge shots, using a chipper or hybrid can stabilize your golf chipping game.

When to Use:

• Fringe or closely mowed fairway.
• Ball sitting cleanly.
• You want to use a putting motion instead of a full swing.

❌ Not for rough or buried lies.

🛠️ Technique:

• Use a putting grip and stance.
• Minimal wrist movement.
• Ball slightly back for better contact.

Recommended Clubs:

• Square Strike Wedge
• Intech EZ Roll Chipper
• TaylorMade Stealth 2 Hybrid

Bunker Play: Mastering Every Sand Situation

Every strong golf short game includes confident golf bunker play. From routine sand saves to tricky footprint lies, understanding technique and club selection in the bunker is essential.

Standard Bunker Shot:

• Open stance and clubface.
• Hit 1–2 inches behind the ball.
• Accelerate with full follow-through.

Fried Egg Lie:

• Steep angle, square face.
• Hit down hard behind the ball.
• Expect more rollout.

Uphill/Downhill Lies in Bunkers:

• Match shoulder angle to slope.
• Use appropriate loft and shortened swing.

Footprint or Disturbed Sand Behind Ball:

• Slightly close the face to dig.
• Ball back in stance for steeper entry.
• Chop down behind the ball with controlled speed.
• Expect low flight and extra rollout.

Recommended Bunker Wedges:

• PING Glide 4.0
• Cleveland Smart Sole 4

Lie Conditions: Adjust Your Approach

Lie Type	Adjustment
Clean Lie	Use standard chipping or pitching technique.
Bare Lie	Use less bounce, focus on crisp contact.
Ball Sitting Down	Use more power and expect less spin.
Grass Into Direction	Expect drag—use more force.
Grass With Direction	Expect more rollout—shorten swing.
Footprint in Bunker	Steep, compact swing, dig aggressively, accept rollout.

Final Thoughts: Build a Scoring Arsenal with Your Golf Short Game

• 3-Club Chipping Ladder – Practice rollout variations with 7i, 9i, PW.
• Pitch & Stop Towel Drill – Land and stop balls on a target zone.
• Lob Launch Drill – Practice height and control over obstacles.
• Sand Line Drill – Improve contact by consistently hitting 2 inches behind the line.

Final Thoughts: Build a Scoring Arsenal

From learning the golf pitching and chipping techniques, to understanding chip vs pitch golf scenarios, this guide equips you to handle everything around the green. A strong Golf Short Game means you don’t rely on perfect tee shots or flawless irons. It means you can recover, score, and stay competitive even on your off days. With the basics covered, your next step is to refine your skills. Focus on mastering proper technique, smart club selection, and handling tough lies. Consistent practice through targeted drills will bring you closer to true short game mastery.

For a bonus, here is a great drill from one of the game’s best players presently. Click here to view Hideki Matsuyama’s go-to drill.