short game

American  

noun

1. 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.

2. a card game in which not all cards in the pack are dealt before play.

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Etymology

Origin of short game

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

short game

Open title for the career Grand Slam, had to rely heavily on his short game to salvage a 72.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

"I actually played way better than Bryson that day, but his short game was great," Rose told me.

From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2026

“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

Fortunately, neither was armed—except with the weapons which nature had provided—and a short game of “fisticuffs”—in which Casey had decidedly the advantage—served as a ’scape valve for the ebullition of their anger.

From The Guerilla Chief And other Tales by Mayne Reid