short game
Americannoun
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the aspect of golf considered in relation to the ability of a player to hit medium or short shots, as chip shots, pitch shots, and putts, with accuracy.
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a card game in which not all cards in the pack are dealt before play.
Etymology
Origin of short game
An Americanism dating back to 1850–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“You need to play a long game, not this short game that has been so detrimental,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026
“Riviera really suits my game. Not the best putting, but I gave myself a lot of looks and my short game made up for some misses.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026
Dave Pelz:, external American golf coach was known for his putting and short game expertise and published books on the subjects.
From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025
It seems as if he’s putting a lot of work into his short game.
From Slate • Aug. 17, 2024
If there were an element of chance in this short game it was that of the uncertainty of life, not of Durade's chance to win.
From The U. P. Trail by Grey, Zane
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
