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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.


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.

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

“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

"I was always pretty good at the long game, but I had to work a lot harder on my short game and I learned how to practise more effectively."

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2025

Some of these emotions are experienced in a minor key when playing the short game, as we call it, particularly in finely-made pitching strokes with iron clubs.

From The Happy Golfer Being Some Experiences, Reflections, and a Few Deductions of a Wandering Golfer by Leach, Henry

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