The skip-it shot in golf isn't a mistake like topping the ball, it's a powerful maneuver in a skilled player's arsenal, designed intentionally to get out of trouble or gain a strategic advantage. It’s a low, running draw or hook that covers ground after it lands, making it perfect for navigating specific on-course challenges. This guide will break down exactly what the skip-it shot is, show you how to execute it step-by-step, and explain when it’s the right club to pull from your bag.
At its core, the “skip it” shot is a low-trajectory shot that curves significantly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer). The name comes from how the ball interacts with the ground: instead of landing softly with backspin, it hits the turf with topspin or side-spin and takes a big, aggressive bounce - or "skip" - forward and to the left, running out for a considerable distance.
Think of it as the opposite of a high, soft-landing fade. While that shot is designed for precision and stopping power, the skip shot is built for distance, escape, and navigating obstacles.
This isn't an every-hole shot. It's a specialty play for specific situations, such as:
You can't talk about skipping it in golf without mentioning two specific moments from Augusta National. The first is a beloved Masters Tournament tradition. During practice rounds, players will often head to the 16th hole, "Redbud," and delight the crowds by intentionally skipping their golf balls across the surface of the pond onto the green. While this is more for show, it perfectly illustrates the low, powerful, forward-spinning nature of the shot.
The second, more competitive example, is one of the most famous shots in modern golf history. During the 2012 Masters playoff against Louis Oosthuizen, Bubba Watson found his ball deep in the trees right of the 10th fairway. A normal shot to the green was impossible. What he did next was legendary: he hit a massive, hooking wedge shot that started way right of the green, curved nearly 90 degrees, and landed safely on the putting surface. While he used a wedge, the principle was the same: he manufactured extreme curve to navigate an obstacle. This shot embodies the "get out of jail free" spirit of a skip shot.
Alright, let's get into the mechanics. Hitting a low, running hook on purpose requires changing your normal setup and swing thoughts. Here's your cheat sheet.
This shot is most easily performed with a fairway wood (3-wood, 5-wood) or a hybrid. These clubs have a lower center of gravity and a wider, smoother sole, which helps the club sweep through the turf without digging. While you can hit this shot with a long iron (3, 4, or 5-iron), it’s much more difficult because the sharper leading edge is more prone to getting stuck in the ground.
Your setup pre-sets the low, in-to-out path you need. Don't skip these adjustments.
With the setup dialed in, the swing is about feel and commitment.
When you're first trying this shot, a few things might go wrong. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide.
The Fix: This usually means your swing path wasn't in-to-out enough or you didn't release the club. Check your setup first. Is your stance closed enough? Is the ball far enough back? Then, during your practice swing, really exaggerate the feeling of releasing the clubhead and finishing low and left.
The Fix: You've overdone it. This is typically a sign of releasing the hands too early or having a grip that is simply too strong. Try weakening your grip just a touch (so you can only see 2.5 knuckles) and feel as though you release the club a fraction later, at the ball rather than before it.
The Fix: Topping comes from fear - fear of hitting the ground with a low-lofted club. As a result, many golfers lift their chest and arms up right before impact. The fix is to trust your setup. Stay down through the shot and focus on brushing the grass. Remember, the ball-back position does the work of keeping it low, you don't need to help it.
The "skip it" shot is a fantastic tool to have in your bag - a get-out-of-jail card that can turn a potential disaster into a recoverable hole. By adjusting your setup and committing to a shallow, in-to-out swing with an active release, you can add this strategic, low-running hook to your game for those moments when you need it most.
Knowing when to try a high-risk shot like this is just as important as knowing how to hit it. If you ever find yourself stuck under branches and unsure of the best play, I created Caddie AI to be your situational coach. You can snap a photo of your lie, and it will analyze the scenario for you, recommending the smartest option to save your hole - whether that’s the spectacular skip shot or a simple punch out.
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