By GolfLynk Publisher on Thursday, 10 July 2025
Category: MyGolfSpy

No More Chunk And Skull: The Short Game Cheat Sheet

The short game is where rounds are saved (or lost) but two of the most common mistakes, chunking and skulling wedge shots, can turn a routine up-and-down into a triple in no time. The good news is that you don’t have to rebuild your swing to fix the chunk or skull shot. There are some basics that you can incorporate or adjust even when you are on the golf course. Here are a few drills, setup tweaks and mindset shifts that will help you get your short game under control.

If you’re chunking your wedge shots, start here

The chunk happens when the club digs into the turf before the ball. Your low point is too far behind the ball and, most of the time, the ball advances a few feet and you’re stuck, having to hit again. The chunk is frustrating and feels like a complete waste of a stroke.

What causes it:

Ball too far forward in your stance Weight shifting too much during the swing Too much forward shaft lean at impact Not using the bounce of the wedge properly A swing that’s too steep into the turf

How to fix it:

The first step is to make sure your ball position is correct. Put it in the center of your stance or slightly back from the center. Leave about 60 percent of your weight on the front foot and maintain this position throughout. Don’t push your hands too far forward and take some practice swings feeling like you are brushing the turf, not digging into it.

Drill: Feet-Together Drill

This is one of the simplest ways to train better balance and low point control.

Place your feet together and the ball off your back toe. Lean slightly into your lead side. Make short, controlled swings while staying balanced. Focus on clipping the turf after the ball.

Dry Line Drill (with foot spray or chalk line)

Instant visual feedback can be beneficial when trying to identify patterns in your golf game. Some golfers love the chalk line or foot spray. Personally, I find using a towel on the ground is just as effective.

Spray a straight line on the grass using athlete’s foot spray, chalk or alignment paint. Place the ball just ahead of the line (toward the target). Take a swing. Your divot should start just after the line. If you’re taking turf on the line or behind it, your low point is too early. Adjust the setup, decrease the forward shaft lean and ensure your weight is on your lead foot.

If you’re skulling your wedge shots, start here

Sometimes, the skulled or thinned wedge shots are even worse than the chunk. You send the ball flying across the green and it could leave you in a worse position than you were.

When you try to avoid digging, you start lifting, leaning back or flipping the club at impact. Contact with the middle of the ball is not going to help you improve feel and precision around the greens.

What causes it:

Leaning back through impact Trying to lift the ball into the air Losing confidence and decelerating Playing the ball too far forward

How to fix it:

Start by getting the ball into the center or just slightly back of center in your stance. Next, make sure that 60 percent of your weight is on your lead side. Let your chest and shoulders drive the swing; don’t use wrists and hands to try and flip this shot onto the green.

Most importantly, don’t lose your confidence in these shots. Stay committed.

One-Arm trail-hand drill

Holding the club with just your trail hand forces you to use more of the correct muscles in your golf swing. This is a great drill for fixing the wrist flip and forcing your body to do more of the work.

Hold the club with just your trail hand. Place your lead hand lightly on your trail bicep. Rotate your chest to take the club back and through. Let the club glide under the ball — no scooping or flipping. Repeat until you are confident.

Trail wrist extension drill (Using glove or tee)

If you have a habit of flipping the wrists at impact, this trail wrist extension drill is a good choice. You can use a credit card or even a tee in your glove to get this feeling down. Start slow here and learn to maintain that lead wrist angle through impact.

How to do it:

Tuck an tee or credit card under your trail wrist watch or glove flap. Make half-wedge swings while keeping the card or tee from falling out. This maintains the trail wrist angle and prevents scooping, which can cause thin shots.

When in doubt, simplify

If you’re feeling nervous or the lie is tight, don’t force the wedge. Grab a hybrid, putter or even a fairway wood and bump the ball along the ground. The putter is the safest club to hit when you are just off the green. If you have the option, use the putter.

Final thoughts

Short-game mistakes happen. If you can recognize why you’re chunking or skulling your wedge shots, you can start making smarter, more confident swings.

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