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

“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

“It’s all part of the game — the long game, the short game, the medium game.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

From tee to green he was always not as precise, however, and that continued on Friday as his short game helped keep him ahead of the chasing pack.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025

It seems as if he’s putting a lot of work into his short game.

From Slate • Aug. 17, 2024

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 Reid, Mayne