Two Short Game Fixes to Stop Wasting Shots Around the Green

By Staff Writer

August 28, 2026

2 min read

Fanny S Forsdik / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Key takeaways

Settling both feet into bunker sand before the swing reveals how much sand sits under the ball, which should change how shallow the entry is.
Opening the clubface slightly and trusting the bounce lets the wedge slide through sand instead of digging behind the ball.
Chunked and thinned chips usually trace back to wristy hands trying to lift the ball rather than a descending strike.
A narrower stance with weight forward and a shorter backswing produces a more consistent strike around the green.

Two of the most common ways golfers give away strokes near the green are decelerating in bunkers and flicking at chip shots with the hands. Both have a straightforward fix.

Why do golfers thin bunker shots?

Golfers who balance on top of the sand instead of settling into it often fear hitting the shot too far, so they decelerate and catch the ball thin over the back of the green. Wiggling both feet into the sand at address lowers the body so the swing's low point sits beneath the ball, and it shows how much sand there is to work with — a firm base underfoot calls for a steeper, shorter entry, while a soft, deep base needs a shallower one and a fuller swing.

Opening the clubface a few degrees at address and trusting the bounce, rather than the leading edge, lets the sole of the wedge glide through the sand under the ball instead of digging into it.

What causes chunked or thinned chip shots?

Around the green, many golfers try to help the ball into the air by flicking their wrists through impact. That extra hand action makes the strike inconsistent, producing chunks that come up short and thin shots that race across the green.

The fix is a more compact setup: grip down the club, bring the feet closer together, and put the ball centrally with slightly more weight on the front foot. A shorter backswing than feels natural also helps, since going too far back invites deceleration coming down. The loft on the club is enough to lift the ball; the hands and body only need to deliver a descending strike.

The loft on the club does the lifting; the golfer's only job is to hit down through the ball.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I keep hitting bunker shots thin?

Thin bunker shots usually come from decelerating out of fear of hitting the ball too far, combined with standing too tall over the sand. Settling the feet into the sand and committing to a full swing into the sand behind the ball fixes both.

How do I stop chunking chip shots?

Chunked chips typically come from flicking the wrists to try to lift the ball. Narrowing the stance, adding weight to the front foot, and shortening the backswing encourages a cleaner descending strike that lets the club's loft do the work.