Beginner

I began playing last August. Initially, I shot in the 120s and my back, hips, and shoulders were sore for several days afterwards. Although I've never had any formal instruction, I researched the basics and began practicing swings with every club in my backyard at least twice weekly. Now I shoot 98 - 105, I have no soreness, and I have played approximately 12 times since I began.

I break golf down into 4 parts: long game (tee-off/drives); intermediate game (3 - 6 irons); short game (7 iron - wedges); and putting. Over my last three outings, I found, in my view, that my long and intermediate games have been above average, my short game average, and my putting below average. I can reach the green almost every time to par the hole within two putts; however, I am so far away from the hole, I usually bogey or worse.

My question, then, is, what are some things I can do to improve my short game? This is the area I think needs improvement because I can get a better score if I place the ball on the green in a more advantageous position.

Practice. The conventional wisdom says to start at the hole and work back, put, chip, pitch, etc.