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

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