The 16 Greatest Short Games in Golf History

Jun 10, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Phil Mickelson hits from the tenth tee box during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

There’s ball-striking, there’s driving, and then there’s the magic that happens within 100 yards of the hole. The short game might not fill the highlight reel with towering bombs, but it’s what separates legends from leaderboard fillers. Great wedge play and lights-out putting have turned good players into major champions and given fans some of the most jaw-dropping moments the sport has ever seen. From soft hands to clutch nerves, these are the golfers who turned the short game into pure artistry. 16. Justin Rose Rose has always had a clean, repeatable short game, and it’s helped him stay relevant across decades. His putting stroke is like a metronome, especially when the pressure’s on. 15. Jordan Spieth At his peak, Spieth’s putter might as well have been enchanted. Combine that with gutsy wedge play and you’ve got a short game that was downright unfair. 14. Patrick Reed Say what you want about Reed, but when it comes to the short game, the guy’s a wizard. His touch and imagination around the green are second to none in today’s game. 13. José María Olazábal A Seve disciple through and through, Olazábal had that beautiful, Spanish short game flair. Bunker shots, flop shots, you name it—he made the hard stuff look easy. 12. Raymond Floyd Floyd had that old-school touch with a dose of killer instinct. His short game was sneaky good, especially in big moments like Augusta. 11. Luke Donald Luke Donald never overpowered a golf course, but he didn’t need to. His touch around the greens and deadly putting stroke carried him to world number one. 10. Mickelson Zhang Zhang may still be writing her legacy, but the poise and finesse she’s already shown around the greens is next level. Her short game is silky smooth and already looks historic. 9. Loren Roberts Nicknamed “The Boss of the Moss,” Roberts made putting look like a cheat code. He rolled it like nobody else on Tour during his prime. 8. Steve Stricker Stricker’s short game is the definition of clean and controlled. His putting stroke is pure, and his wedge game has aged like a fine wine. 7. Billy Casper Casper didn’t need to hit every fairway or green because he’d just get up-and-down anyway. He turned the short game into a weapon long before it was cool. 6. Tom Watson Watson’s chip-in at Pebble Beach in the 1982 U.S. Open is still one of the most iconic short game moments ever. He made a career out of touch, feel, and fearless creativity around the green. 5. Brad Faxon Faxon could putt with a rake and still make birdie. His stroke was poetry, and he always looked like he was barely trying—just smooth and deadly. 4. Paul Runyan Runyan wasn’t a bomber, but he was a giant around the green. He built his whole game around short shots and turned it into a Hall of Fame career. 3. Seve Ballesteros Seve didn’t just have touch—he had magic. His short game was fearless, dramatic, and sometimes downright outrageous. Read More: 15 Golfers Who Could Never Let Anything Go 2. Phil Mickelson Phil turned the short game into a show. Flops, spin, recovery shots from impossible places—he did things no one else would even try. Read More: 10 Golf Feuds That Got Personal 1. Tiger Woods No one else made more clutch chips, saved more impossible pars, or drained more pressure-packed putts. When you needed magic around the green, Tiger was your guy—every time. Read More: Golf Star Phil Mickelson’s Magic Keeps Fans Coming Back

15 College Quarterbacks Everyone Will Be Talking About This Fall 2025 Season

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) walks off the field after the game of an NCAA college football matchup Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Florida Gators 34-20.
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2025 college football season is set to deliver another batch of quarterback drama, breakout performances, and potential Heisman heroics. Whether it’s a familiar name gunning for glory or a young gun ready to steal the spotlight, this fall’s QB class is loaded with intrigue. From Power Five powerhouses to upstart programs trying to crash the party, these are the 15 quarterbacks poised to dominate headlines this season. If you don’t know these names already, you definitely will by November. 15. Michael Van Buren Jr., LSU He may not be LSU’s starter, but Van Buren is one of the most intriguing backup quarterbacks in the country. With prior flashes of brilliance, he’s just one opportunity away from making a profound impact. 14. Devon Dampier, Utah Dampier brings electricity to Utah’s offense. His dual-threat skill set should make the Utes a tough out in the new-look Big 12. 13. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina If he puts it all together, Sellers has the tools to become a star this season. He’s got the arm, the legs, and the stage in the always-unpredictable SEC. 12. Luke Altmyer, Illinois Altmyer has quietly become one of the steadiest quarterbacks in the Big Ten. If Illinois makes noise this year, he’ll be a big reason why. 11. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor After stabilizing Baylor’s season last year, Robertson enters 2025 with momentum and experience. He may not be flashy, but he gets the job done—and that matters in a wide-open Big 12. 10. Dante Moore, Oregon Moore has all the tools to shine in Eugene. If he delivers early, he’ll have Ducks fans dreaming of a playoff run. 9. Kevin Jennings, SMU Jennings was one of 2024’s biggest surprises, putting up elite numbers and leading SMU to big wins. He could be the next Group of Five star to break into the national spotlight with another strong season. 8. Julian Sayin, Ohio State Sayin hasn’t taken a starting snap yet, but Buckeyes fans are buzzing. With a five-star pedigree and top-tier talent around him, he’s set up for a monster debut season. 7. Carson Beck, Miami (FL) Beck brings experience and SEC seasoning to a Hurricanes team hungry to return to relevance. If he plays like he did in 2023, the U could return quickly. 6. DJ Lagway, Florida Lagway’s talent is off the charts, and he’s already shown serious upside. He might bring Florida back into the national conversation if he can stay healthy. 5. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State Leavitt turned heads last season and now enters 2025 as one of the top dual-threat QBs in the country. If he keeps trending upward, the Sun Devils could surprise everyone. 4. Drew Allar, Penn State Allar chose to return for one more ride, and the Nittany Lions couldn’t be happier. He’ll be the key to Penn State’s playoff hopes with his big arm and leadership. 3. Arch Manning, Texas It’s finally Arch’s team in Austin, and all eyes will be on him. With that last name and big-time potential, expectations are through the roof. Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Loyal College Football Fan Bases 2. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU Nussmeier enters the season with experience, swagger, and one of the strongest arms in college football. If LSU makes a title run, he’ll be leading the charge. Read More: New-York Giants: Malik Nabers Backs Jayden Daniels and Slams Criticism of Shedeur Sanders 1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson Klubnik is the guy to beat heading into 2025. He’s got the stats, the spotlight, and a real shot at hoisting the Heisman when it’s all said and done. Read More: 10 NFL Fullbacks Who Prove the Position Still Matters

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