Want to challenge your mastery of the short game?

Then here are four skills challenges to test yourself. These challenges will examine your short pitch, greenside bunker, long chip and lob shot skills. Keep score and test yourself regularly. Make sure you’re improving and you’ll shoot lower scores.

The short pitch

Find a location 40 yards from the flag. Now take 10 shots trying to get as many as possible within a 10 foot ring. 

Those who want to be wizards should be targeting a 5 foot ring.

The greenside bunker shot

Find a bunker location that is no more than 10 yards from the flag. Now take 10 shots trying to get as many as possible within a 8 foot ring. 

Those who want to be wizards should be targeting a 4 foot ring.

The long chip shot

Find a location just off the Putting surface with 20 yards (60 feet) to the hole. Now take 10 shots trying to get as many as possible within a 6 foot ring. 

Those who want to be wizards should be targeting a 3 foot ring and seeing how many they sink.

The greenside lob shot

Find a location that is approximately 15 yards between you and the hole with a bunker in between. You will need to get the ball up and land it softly. Take 10 shots 
and see how many you can get within an 8 foot ring. 

Those who want to be wizards should be targeting a 4 foot ring.

In every round you will face these shots or variations on them. In fact, next time out record how many shots from 40 yards in you actually have to play. Think about your technique and equipment. Then make an improvement plan. It’s the quickest way to reduce your score.