5 Simple Golf Course Drills to Improve Your Short Game
Whether you're a weekend warrior or a competitive player, every golfer knows the truth: your short game can make or break your score. From chipping to pitching to putting, mastering your game within 100 yards of the hole is essential. That’s why the team at Fairlawn Golf is sharing our favorite five short game drills to help you build confidence, control, and consistency—whether you’re practicing at home, in our simulator rooms, or on our beautifully maintained golf course.
Let’s break down five effective short game drills that can transform your rounds, save strokes, and ultimately make golf more fun.
Drill 1: The 3-Ball Distance Control Putting Drill
Why it works: Great putting isn’t just about sinking 20-footers—it’s about speed control. This drill improves your feel on the greens and reduces three-putts.
How to do it:
- On a practice green (or even your carpet at home), place three golf balls at 5, 10, and 15 feet from the hole.
- Putt each ball, focusing on rolling them past the hole by no more than 6 inches.
- After one full round of putts, switch positions so you practice both uphill and downhill breaks.
Pro tip from Fairlawn: At our golf course, we recommend practicing on real greens with subtle breaks to simulate on-course conditions. Our putting area near the clubhouse is perfect for this drill.
Why it matters: Many strokes are lost due to poor distance control. Even if you don’t sink the putt, leaving it within tap-in range is a win.
Drill 2: The Ladder Drill for Chipping Consistency
Why it works: The ladder drill develops touch and distance awareness around the green, which is crucial for up-and-downs.
How to do it:
- Set up a towel or alignment stick on the green 3 feet from the fringe.
- Lay down more targets at 6, 9, and 12 feet.
- From one chipping spot, try to land the ball on each target distance, in order.
- Once you succeed on all four targets in sequence, move to a new lie or surface (tight grass, rough, slope).
Practice at Fairlawn: Bring a few wedges to the short-game area of our golf course and run this drill from different angles. Mix up lies for a game-like feel.
Why it matters: Most chips aren’t full swings—they require precision and control. This drill teaches you to vary your trajectory and spin without changing your swing.
Drill 3: Gate Drill for Perfecting Your Putting Stroke
Why it works: One of the biggest putting mistakes golfers make is starting the ball off-line. This drill ensures a square face at impact and a consistent stroke.
How to do it:
- Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head, forming a “gate.”
- Position the gate about a foot in front of your ball on the intended line.
- Hit putts that travel cleanly through the gate without touching the tees.
Try it at Fairlawn: This is a fantastic drill on our practice green. Try it with different breaks to build confidence on game-day reads.
Why it matters: You can read every green perfectly, but if you push or pull your putt, your score will suffer. Start-line control is essential.
Drill 4: 9-Shot Chipping Challenge
Why it works: This drill forces creativity and adaptability. Golf rarely gives you perfect lies, so why only practice from one?
How to do it:
Pick one target, then play these nine different chip shots:
- Low bump-and-run with a 7-iron
- Standard chip with a pitching wedge
- Flop shot with a lob wedge
- Uphill chip
- Downhill chip
- Chip from the rough
- Chip from a tight lie
- Chip over a bunker
- Chip with one hand (for feel)
Challenge yourself: Give yourself a point for each chip that lands within a 3-foot circle of the hole. Can you go 9 for 9?
Do it at Fairlawn: On our golf course, you’ll find various slopes and lies to replicate these shots. Our short-game area and course edges are ideal for challenge practice.
Why it matters: Every round presents different lies. This drill prepares you for any situation by improving technique, creativity, and confidence.
Drill 5: Clock Drill for Holing More Putts Inside 6 Feet
Why it works: This classic putting drill boosts confidence on short putts under pressure—ideal for saving par or making birdies.
How to do it:
- Set 8 balls around a hole at 3 feet—like numbers on a clock.
- Putt each ball, moving around the circle. Don’t finish until you make all 8 in a row.
- Repeat from 4 feet and 5 feet as your confidence builds.
Pro tip: Do this at the end of every practice session. It builds pressure and rhythm, just like finishing a hole during play.
Why it matters: Most strokes lost in amateur golf come from inside 6 feet. This drill makes those putts feel automatic.
Integrating Drills into a Practice Routine
Many players get discouraged when they practice without a plan. Here’s how to incorporate these drills into a 1-hour short-game session:
- Warm-Up (10 mins): Light putting strokes and short chips to loosen up.
- Distance Control Drills (15 mins): Use the 3-Ball and Ladder drills.
- Technique Drills (15 mins): Gate Drill and Clock Drill.
- Challenge Drills (15 mins): 9-Shot Chipping Challenge or create your own game.
- Cool Down (5 mins): Short putting to end on a positive note.
Practice doesn’t have to be long—just consistent. You’ll be amazed how your scores improve by dedicating focused time to your short game.
Practice Facilities at Fairlawn Golf
When it comes to perfecting your short game, Fairlawn Golf Course provides one of the best environments in the region:
Practice Green
Our large putting green mimics the speeds and contours of our in-play greens, giving you true-to-life conditions for putting drills.
Short Game Area
You’ll find space for chipping, pitching, bunker shots, and more. It’s an ideal place to try the Ladder Drill or 9-Shot Challenge.
Simulator Rooms
Want to keep working on your short game even when the weather doesn’t cooperate? Our simulator rooms offer year-round training, ideal for analyzing swing speed, launch angle, and spin rate.
Unwind at the Pub After Your Practice
Nothing beats a cold drink after a hot day of short-game practice. At Fairlawn Golf, our on-site pub is the perfect place to relax, refuel, and reflect on your round.
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full bar with local brews
- Delicious food menu with golfer-friendly favorites
- Friendly staff who know your name (and your game)
Whether you're visiting solo, with friends, or joining us for one of our tournaments, the pub completes your day.
Final Thoughts: The Short Game is the Scoring Game
At the end of the day, your full swing might get you close—but your short game is what puts scores on the card. Whether you’re looking to lower your handicap or simply enjoy your rounds more, improving inside 100 yards is the smartest place to invest your time.
From chipping drills to putting routines, Fairlawn Golf Course gives you the facilities, instruction, and environment to improve.
Come Practice with Us!
Ready to take your short game to the next level? Visit Fairlawn Golf Course today and try these drills for yourself. Explore our course, top-notch facilities, and a welcoming pub conveniently located in Central Maine by accessing our website. We're open daily for play, practice, and pub visits. Your next breakthrough is just a few drills away—see you on the green!