If you’ve ever chunked a chip shot, bladed a bunker escape, or felt like your wedge had a personal vendetta against you — you’re not alone. But here’s the kicker: Joaquin Niemann used to be that guy too.
Now? He’s quietly become one of the sharpest short-game players on the LIV Golf circuit. And it’s not because he bought some magical wedge or watched one YouTube tip and “unlocked his touch.” It’s because he rebuilt his technique, his tempo, and his trust in the shots most amateurs dread.
Let’s break down how he did it — and what you can steal for your own game.
From Scrambler to Scorer: Niemann’s Short Game Reinvention
There was a time when Niemann’s caddie, Gary Matthews, openly admitted that chipping was “his weakest link.” That’s not something you usually hear about a player dominating the LIV Golf season with three wins in seven starts.
So what changed?
Niemann made a conscious decision to transform his short game — not just through reps, but through smarter reps. He’s worked relentlessly on bunker shots and controlling his low point, and the payoff has been big. At LIV Golf Singapore, he nuked a 7-iron from a fairway bunker to 4 feet. That’s not just ball-striking — that’s confidence born from hard-earned consistency.
According to Matthews, the mental shift has been just as dramatic: “The confidence, the way he’s managing his game – like bad shots aren’t affecting him because he’s chipping much better.”
Let that sink in. A better short game doesn’t just save strokes — it frees up your mindset.
What Niemann Does Differently (And Why It Works)
A lot of golfers treat short shots like a separate universe. But Niemann? He treats them like mini full swings — with the same attention to angles and posture.
Here’s what sets him apart:
- Posture through impact: His head actually lowers as he hits the ball, almost like he’s squatting through the shot. This helps maintain spine angle and create better contact — especially from tricky lies.
- Gathering action: Think of a basketball player starting a jump shot. Niemann’s chipping motion has that same grounded, stable energy. It’s not flashy — but it’s repeatable.
- Trail arm control: He keeps his trail arm bent longer through impact, which keeps the clubface more stable. Less rotation = more predictability.
And that predictability matters. Especially on courses with brutal run-offs — like the Augusta-style slopes at LIV Adelaide, where Niemann’s win proved he can handle just about anything around the greens.
Wedges That Work (But Don’t Do the Work for You)
Let’s be clear: gear doesn’t make the golfer. But it doesn’t hurt when the gear fits.
Niemann uses Ping Glide 3.0 wedges — not because they look cool, but because they spin like crazy and still offer forgiveness when you don’t catch it perfect. Larger tuning ports, softer feel, and a design built for spin and control — it’s the kind of setup that rewards good technique without punishing every slight miss.
And if you’re wondering what he pulls out for long par-3s or gnarly rough lies? A Ping G430 hybrid fills that gap — a reminder that your “scoring clubs” don’t stop at your wedges.
Niemann’s Practice Philosophy (And What You Can Copy Today)
Niemann doesn’t overshare his range routine — but you don’t go from scrambling liability to highlight-reel up-and-downs without a clear plan.
His results tell the story:
- Scrambling at 82.61% during his wire-to-wire win at Riviera
- Multiple clutch bunker saves during key LIV events
- A calmness in high-pressure moments that wasn’t there before
He also leans on strategy. Take his approach from the rough: “If there’s nothing in front of the green, I’ll use less club and hit a shot that lets the ball run out.” It’s not hero golf — it’s smart golf.
Want to practice like Niemann? Start here:
- Left hand only: Builds control and removes the urge to scoop.
- Tee peg drill: Reduces wrist breakdown by focusing on a more stable motion.
- Handle ‘stare’: Forces you to think about the club path, not the ball.
- Landing zones: Sets real goals for where your chips land, not just how they look.
These drills aren’t flashy. But if you’re tired of watching your chip shots skitter across the green like scared rabbits, this is your fix.
The Hidden Superpower: Confidence Under Pressure
It’s one thing to chip well on a practice green. It’s another to step into a fairway bunker with a tournament on the line and know you’ve got it.
That’s what Niemann’s short game evolution has unlocked. A new layer of trust. A freedom to stay aggressive from the tee, knowing the recovery game can back it up. A belief that even missed greens aren’t the end of the story.
And when he says, “If I can make two more of those [8–15 footers] a day, I can be golden”? That’s a guy who understands how valuable those up-and-down opportunities really are.
So the next time you’re tempted to write off your short game as “just one of those things,” think again.
Niemann didn’t accept his weakness — he attacked it. And in doing so, turned it into one of his greatest assets.
You don’t need tour-level tempo to copy his mindset.
You just need to care enough to start.