quick coaching

Four Keys to Keep Your Short Game Sharp in Match Play

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Justin Thomas during the Friday Afternoon Foursomes at the 42nd Ryder Cup held at Le Golf National on September 28-30, 2018 in Guyancourt, France. (Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America)

In match play, every single shot that you hit could mean the difference between winning or losing a hole. In stroke play, you always have the opportunity to make up for bad shots and still post a great score which could keep you in the mix.
If you get down early in match play, it could make recovery, and victory, much more of a challenge to achieve.
Many times, it is a putting miscue or a thinned chip…perhaps even a chunked pitch or leaving a bunker shot in the sand. These types of misses are costly no matter what format you are playing, but in match play, it means a lost hole and a lost opportunity. With that said, let's look at some ways to stay sharp with your short game during pressure-filled matches.
Fully Assess the Situation 
If you already have a pre-shot routine where you look very carefully at all aspects of the shot at hand, Bravo! You are among a small minority. You should strive to learn how to feel the firmness of the putting surface with your feet…asses the wind speed and direction…look for the direction the grain of the grass is growing, both on the green and the areas around it. 
Even by watching how the ball is reacting with the shots your opponent is hitting you can learn a lot. Set a goal to get better at taking everything in.
Look From All Sides
No matter if it’s a putt, chip, greenside pitch, or bunker shot, make sure you don’t just give it the old once over from behind the ball and down the target line. There is so much more information you can gather by making a quick trip all the way around the hole. Not only look for slopes but as I said earlier, try to feel them with your feet. You may be very surprised by what you learn from this all-points analysis; And it could help you win the hole too.
Get Dialed In on your Spot
Once you make a thorough analysis of the situation, commit to your spot. In putting, find and commit to your aim point and really get hyper focused on it. Remember, many times, it's not the hole itself that you are going to be looking at. In pitching or chipping, you must commit to a landing spot around the type of shot that you are going to be using.
Know What Shot You Want to Hit
Indecision is deadly around the green. Getting caught in-between deciding if the shot calls for something low and running or higher with spin can really be a recipe for disaster. Once you make your assessment of what’s needed, make your decision, be confident with it and execute the shot to the best of your ability.
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.