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.
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
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
Her performance Thursday illustrated that while she is strong off the tee, her short game needs to develop.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2025
"Now, fellows, we're going to have a little different form of exercise to-morrow," announced the coach, at the conclusion of a short game one afternoon.
From Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck by Chapman, Allen
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.
