Any golf shot played from the fairway with the goal of landing the ball on the putting surface is called an approach shot (whether the ball actually winds up on the putting green or not).
Why are approach shots so important in golf?
The best golfers also gain strokes with their driving, short game and putting games, but approach shots are the greatest difference-maker. As such, if you can improve your strategy with approach shots, you likely stand to gain larger jumps in scoring than any other part of the game.
What is the approach shot?
It's the shot to the green—the approach shot—because that's what determines if you'll be scoring or scrambling. Let's look at five common situations you face after your tee shot. I'll give you some playing tips and the swing keys for each one.
What is an approach shot on a par 3 hole?
Because the golfer expects to hit the green — or is at least trying to — with the tee shot on a par-3 hole, the nomenclature "approach shot" is not typically used on par-3s. Golfers often shorten the phrase to simply "approach," as in "she is using a 5-iron for her approach" or "he is approaching the 5th hole's green with a 5-iron."
Where should you aim your golf shots?
For most golfers, aiming at the center of every green and playing the back yardage will lower scores over the long run. If you are a more advanced player, you can adopt a more nuanced, advanced approach-shot strategy.
How do you throw an approach shot?
1:516:28Back to Basics | The Approach Shot - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I'm going to actually try to throw it a little bit past the basket. But because that trees on theMoreSo I'm going to actually try to throw it a little bit past the basket. But because that trees on the right side I'm gonna try to land a little bit past the basket in to the left.
What is the most important shot in golf?
On the other side, many argue that the putt is the most important. One such advocate was the legendary teaching pro Harvey Penick, who strongly believed that the short game, around the green, was the essence of scoring well. He contended that a two foot putt counted just as much as a tee shot.
Does a golfer use an approach shot on the putting green?
Trying to Hit the Putting Green with a Stroke An approach shot in golf is any stroke that a golfer plays into the green on a par-4 or par-5 hole, or any shot played with the intention of hitting the putting green.
How do you play short approach shots in golf?
0:183:16How to Hit Short Approach Shots with Different Trajectories (Golf Wedge ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLow not a bump and run but something that's going to be very. Low again how i'm going to feel thatMoreLow not a bump and run but something that's going to be very. Low again how i'm going to feel that is i'm going to keep the ball pretty middle but i'm going to try to keep the handle.
What is the most difficult shot in golf?
The hardest shot in golf is being a foot or two off the green in rough with the pin 15 feet or less away on the green. Brian S. A greenside shot with the ball sitting down in deep rough or a fried egg in a trap to a tight pin with the green running down to a water hazard.
How far does average golfer hit 7 iron?
A PGA Tour player hits a 7-iron between 172-215 yards. Meanwhile, a short-hitting amateur male golfer averages 120 yards with the same club. Men, women, seniors, juniors, professionals, amateurs and beginners all hit their clubs different distances.
How do you backspin on approach shots?
1:463:35Hit Your Golf Approach Shots With More Back Spin - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPull forward sweeping back swing hitting up at the ball.MorePull forward sweeping back swing hitting up at the ball.
How do you hit an accurate approach to the shot?
9 Tips to Hit Your TargetKeep flex in your wrist at impact. ... Focus on acceleration on pitches. ... Hinge early to hit fairways. ... Practice with low-trajectory shots. ... Enhance your visualization methods. ... Grip down on short irons. ... Point your knee to the ball. ... Swing fully on short approach shots.More items...•
Is a chip an approach shot?
A chip is a low shot that is played along the ground and spends little time in the air. Chip shots are generally hit close to the green where the golfer does not need to carry the ball very far in the air and just wants to get the ball started and let it roll out towards the hole like a putt.
How do I improve my approach in golf?
4 Tips That Will Immediately Improve Your Approach ShotsFind the Fairway From Your Tee Shot. You need to know how far you consistently hit the ball with your driver. ... Hitting the Green From 200 Yards. Step 1 - don't panic. ... Hitting the Green From 150 Yards. ... Hitting the Green From 120 or Fewer Yards.
What loft is approach wedge?
Gap wedge – The gap wedge, often referred to as the approach wedge, or the A wedge, has a loft of 51° to 53 degrees.
How do you hit an approach wedge?
4:1131:54Hit Your Wedges Like a Pro With These Simple Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we're off on a good start here feet close together body rotating. Play the face a little bit openMoreSo we're off on a good start here feet close together body rotating. Play the face a little bit open play the hands a little bit up here's the part that is the most important of any of it.
What is an approach shot in golf?
What Is a Golf Approach Shot? First, let's talk about the layout of the course. The fairway is the short grass that makes up the majority of the hole. The rough is the tall grass around the edges of the course. The green is that small circle of light green grass surrounding the hole.
What is a chip shot in golf?
Chip shots from 20 to 30 yards away aren't usually referred to as approach shots in modern golf terminology. That hasn't always been the case, however. Until the early 1900's, your approach shot was literally any shot that put you onto the green, regardless of distance or stroke. Today, though, golfers are more discerning when it comes ...
How to nail your approach in golf?
In order to nail your approach, you need to put yourself in the game. You should be approaching your second shot on a par 4 hole and by your third shot on a par 5 hole. In order to set yourself up to stay under par, your drive needs to carry you most of the way.
Why do golfers study the holes before they play them?
That's because each hole is designed differently, of course. And with different holes come different approaches. It's not uncommon to hear a golfer refer to a hole's approach as being narrow or wide.
How far away should you hit your approach shot?
Approach shots, unlike your putt, are taken with a full swing of your club. Typically, they're from about 100 yards away. Chip shots from 20 to 30 yards away aren't usually referred to as approach shots in modern golf terminology.
What is the green in golf?
The green is that small circle of light green grass surrounding the hole. Your approach shot is when you hit the ball with the intention of landing it into the green, usually on shot 3 or 4. This terminology is only used on courses with a par more than 3, though.
What is good golf?
Good golf is about playing as many par 3s as you can. What does that mean? In addition to the actual par 3s on the course, your goal should be to have a reasonable “par 3” to the green after your tee shot on par 4s (or second shot on par 5s). If you drive it in the water or out-of-bounds, you don't get to play a par 3.
What does "complete" mean in golf?
Think about completing the backswing and getting to a full finish. That means turning your body back and through ( top ), letting the swing take some time. Nerves usually speed things up, with the hands and arms taking over.
What are the factors to consider when playing golf?
Three factors to consider: (1) You want a level lie in the fairway for your next shot. (2) Give yourself room for error on the recovery—don't hit it into trouble on the other side. (3) If possible, play to a yardage you like. You probably want a full swing with one of your wedges, not something in between.
Why are downhillers so tough?
Photo by Walter Iooss Jr. Of all the uneven lies you get, downhillers are the toughest. The reason is, you feel like you really have to help the ball into the air— and that's a killer. The first step is to widen your stance and flare your lead foot for balance.
Do lies allow shots?
Some lies allow any shot ; others require caution. Here's a system I use to read them: Imagine there's a sock stretched over your club-head, and the thickness of the sock determines how crisply you strike the ball. A buried lie, where you get a lot of grass interference, is like hitting with a thick sock—a dead thud.
What does Adam Young say about golf?
In our podcast episode, Adam Young mentioned a powerful exercise that every golfer should go through with their approach shots. Adam states that he loves his players to measure their shot results relative to where they aimed.
Do you land close to the pin in golf?
Unfortunately, most golfers default to aiming at the pin with their approach shots. One of the great myths of golf is that you need to land the ball close to the pin and make birdie putts to lower your handicap. For the most part, choosing a more aggressive target like the pin results in more double bogeys, which is the real culprit ...
Do golfers flush their irons?
It is rare for golfers to “flush” their iron shots. Playing the back yardage allows for a mishit and still hitting the green in regulation. Also, the data is abundantly clear that almost every golfer misses 80-90% of their greens on the short site. It’s infrequent that golfers miss long most of the time.
Golf Approach Shot Strategy – 5 Tips
They have hit a tee shot that travels 260-300 yards leaving them within distance of reaching a par 5 on the 2nd shot. They have a 200 yard carry over a small water hazard with a bail area to the right. They grab their 3 iron and over draw it and come up short in the water.
Final Thoughts: Golf Approach Shot Strategy
Don’t forget to have fun. Are you playing golf to hit 1-2 great shots per round or do you play golf to shoot your best score possible? If you are trying to score your best round, stay committed and follow the 5 tips above.
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
Any Round of Golf Will Require Basic Shots to be Played to Complete Every Hole
The opening shot on each par 4 or par 5 is mostly played with the driver. Not only is it the longest club in the bag, but it is the most difficult to control. The loft on the driver can vary from 6 degrees up to 12 degrees.
Shots to Improve your Game
The ability to hit different shape shots during play is the key to lowering the handicap and lower scores. Golf courses are designed to challenge the player with every shot, and to meet this challenge requires some advanced skills. Here are the types of shots and a brief description of how to execute them:
How to Hit a Fade?
As with the draw, there are a few basics that encourage a shot with a fade bias.
1. The Punch Shot
This is played mostly when the ball is in the trees with over-hanging branches that block the intended target line. It can be played with any club in the bag, but the main criteria are to keep the ball flight below the tree branches.
2. Stinger
Tiger Woods perfected this shot and often plays it off the tee with a 2 or 3 iron. It is a low fade that stays beneath the wind. A great shot for links courses. The shot is played with the ball set back in the stance and the clubface “hooded” or slightly closed through impact.
3. The Flop Shot
Phil Mickelson is the master of this shot. It is played from a fluffy lie over a greenside bunker or water, to a tight pin position. The shot is played forward in an open stance, with an open face sand wedge or lob wedge. It flies high, and over the hazard with plenty of backspin, and stops quickly.
Final Thoughts
Learning to play a draw or fade is important if the intention is to lower the handicap and improve the all-around game. Doglegs will no longer present problems, and when out of position on a hole, it is a “get out of jail” card. Manufacturing a shot on the course successfully is almost as good as hitting a 300-meter drive!
