What Does Skip It Mean in Golf?

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 eats up ground after it lands, 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.

What is a 'Skip It' Shot in Golf?

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.

When Would You Use It?

This isn't an every-hole shot. It's a specialty play for specific situations, such as:

• Getting Under Trouble: This is the most common use. You've hit your tee shot into the trees, and low-hanging branches prevent you from taking a normal swing or hitting a shot with standard height. The skip shot lets you punch out from underneath the branches and still advance the ball a long way down the fairway.
• Attacking a Dogleg Left: For a sharp dogleg left hole, a well-executed skip shot with a fairway wood can a low, running hook that follows the curve of the fairway, potentially cutting off the corner and leaving you with a much shorter approach shot.
• Reaching a Par-5 in Two: On a long par-5 with a clear opening, a low, running hook can be the perfect shot to maximize roll and chase the ball up close to the green, especially on firm, fast fairways.
• Beating the Wind: On a blustery day, keeping the ball low is essential. A skip shot stays under the wind, minimizing its effect and allowing for more predictable distance and control compared to a high, ballooning shot.

The Masters, Bubba Watson, and the Legend of the "Skip"

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 histo-ry. 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.

How to Hit the 'Skip It' Shot: Your Step-by-Step Guide

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.

Step 1: The Right Club Choice

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.

Step 2: Adjust Your Setup for a Hook

Your setup pre-sets the low, in-to-out path you need. Don't skip these adjustments.

• Ball Position: Move the ball back in your stance. For a standard 7-iron, your ball is in the middle. For this shot with a 3-wood, you might move it back to where your 7-iron would normally be. This helps you contact the ball on a downward and inward path, de-lofting the clubface for that low trajectory.
• Stance: Close your stance. Pull your back foot (right foot for a righty) away from the target line, so your feet, hips, and shoulders are aimed well to the right of your final target. This helps promote an in-to-out swing path.
• Grip: Take a stronger grip. This means rotating your top hand (left hand for a righty) slightly more to the right, so you can see three knuckles instead of the usual two. A stronger grip makes it easier to close the clubface through impact, producing the right-to-left spin.
• Weight Distribution: Feel slightly more weight on your lead foot (your left foot). This will help you keep the shot low and prevent you from trying to "help" the ball into the air.

Step 3: The Swing and Feel

With the setup dialed in, the swing is about feel and commitment.

• Shallow and 'Around': Forget about a steep, up-and-down swing plane. Feel like you are swinging the club more around your body, almost like a flat baseball swing. The takeaway should feel very much to the inside of the target line.
• Release the Clubhead: This is the generator of the hook. As you swing through the impact zone, actively release your hands and forearms, allowing the toe of the clubhead to pass over the heel. You’re intentionally "turning the club over" to impart that side-spin.
• Brush the Grass: Swing with a low, sweeping motion. You are not trying to take a divot like you would with an iron. Instead, think about brushing the top of the grass just before the ball.
• Low Finish: Your follow-through should reflect the shot you’re trying to hit. Finish low and to the left (for a righty), with your hands feeling like they've wrapped around your body. A high finish encourages a high shot, a low finish encourages a low one.

Common Problems and Quick Fixes

When you're first trying this shot, a few things might go wrong. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide.

Problem: The ball goes too high or straight.

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.

Problem: You hit a massive duck hook that dives left immediately.

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, a-t the ball rather than before it.

Problem: You're topping the ball or hitting it thin.

The Fix: Topping comes 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.

Final Thoughts

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.