The single skill separating high-handicap golfers from a low-handicap players isn't booming drives, it's consistently hitting solid approach shots. An approach shot, your ticket to the putting green, is where rounds are made or broken. This guide will walk you through exactly what an approach shot is, the different types you'll face, and the simple strategies you can use to start hitting them closer to the hole.
In simple terms, an approach shot is any shot you hit with the intent of the ball coming to rest on the putting green. It's the second shot on a par-4 or typically the third on a par-5, but it can also be your tee shot on a par-3. Approach shots can come in all shapes and sizes - from a 200-yard thwack with a fairway wood to a delicate 40-yard pitch with a sand wedge.
This is different from your drive, where the goal is usually distance and positioning, and it’s different from chips and putts, which are short-game recovery shots performed right next to or on the green itself. The approach shot bridges the gap between the fairway and the flagstick. Mastering this part of the game isn't just about having a perfect swing, it's about making smart decisions that give you the best chance of finding the putting surface. Think of it less as an attack and more as a delivery. You're delivering the ball to its next destination: the green.
To really get a handle on your approach play, it helps to break it down into three general categories. Each one requires a slightly different mindset and strategy. Understanding which situation you're in will make your decision-making on the course much simpler.
These are the shots that often cause the most stress. You're standing a long way out, holding a fairway wood, a hybrid, or a long iron (like a 4, 5, or 6-iron). From this distance, the goal is simple and should rarely change: hit the green. That’s it. Trying to fire directly at a tucked pin from 180 yards is a low-percentage play, even for pros. For amateur golfers, it's a recipe for big numbers.
Your "target" on a long approach should be the widest, most forgiving part of the green. More often than not, this is the center. A shot that flies toward the center of the green and misses 15 yards to the left or right is probably still on the putting surface. A shot that starts at the pin and misses 15 yards left or right is likely in a bunker or deep rough. Play the odds, swing smoothly, and be happy with a two-putt par.
Welcome to the scoring zone. These are your bread-and-butter shots with clubs like your 7-iron down to your pitching wedge. This is the range where you can start thinking about scoring. Good players turn these opportunities into birdies, while average players are just hoping to get on the green. The difference-maker here is confidence and having a reliable swing you can repeat.
From this range, you can afford to be a bit more specific with your target, but "aim for the fat part of the green" is still great advice. If the pin is on the right, for example, your target might be the center-right portion of the green, giving you some margin for error. Success in this range is a direct result of knowing how far you actually hit your clubs. Guessing is not a strategy. We'll touch more on this in a bit.
These are the "feel" shots. The dreaded half-swing, the awkward "in-between" yardage. You're too far to putt and too close for a full swing with your shortest iron. These shots - typically hit with a sand wedge, gap wedge, or lob wedge - require touch and distance control more than raw power.
Mastery of short approaches comes from learning to control your swing length to produce different distances. Many golfers will practice making half swings (left arm parallel to the ground) and three-quarter swings to create predictable yardages. Hitting a wedge 50 yards on command is a far more valuable skill than being able to hit it 110 yards. This is where you can be very aggressive with your aim, as you are close enough to be precise.
Hitting a great shot with the wrong club is still a bad shot. Club selection is a thought process, not a guess. To get it right consistently, you need to Layer two types of information: your known ability and the current situation on the course.
A "stock yardage" is the distance a club goes when you hit it with your normal, comfortable, full swing in calm conditions. This is your personal baseline. If you don't know these numbers, you’re flying blind. The best way to find them is to go to a driving range, preferably one with yardage markers or a launch monitor. Hit 10 balls with each of your irons and find the average carry distance, not the single one you crushed.
Write these down. Put them on a notecard in your bag or in your phone. This information is the foundation of every single approach shot decision.
When you have a 130-yard shot, you now have an informed starting point: a smooth 8-iron or a hard 9-iron.
Your stock yardage is just the beginning. The art of great approach play is adjusting that baseline for what's happening right in front of you.
Thinking through these factors isn't complicated, it's just a checklist. Yardage > Lie > Wind > Elevation = Smart Club Choice.
Once you've picked a club, It’s time to execute. Solid approach shots come from a confident, committed swing built on a simple plan. Instead of trying to reinvent your swing on every shot, focus on a sound strategy.
Just like we covered in our guide to the golf setup, a good shot starts before you ever take the club back. The ball should be positioned near the middle of your stance for a short or mid-iron. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart to create a stable base, allowing you to turn your body through the shot.
Most importantly, as we covered in the downswing guide, you need to ensure your weight moves toward the target as you swing down. This lets you hit the ball first and then the turf, creating that crisp "thump" of a pure iron shot.
A major fault among amateurs is trying to "lift" or "scoop" the ball into the air. Remember, your clubs have loft engineered into them for a reason - let the club do the work! Your job is to make a rotational swing around your body and allow the club to do its job. From the top of your swing, unwind your body and let your arms extend toward the target *after* impact. Finish in a balanced position, with your chest facing the target and most of your weight on your front foot. Holding your finish is a great indicator of a well-balanced swing.
This is probably the single most important piece of advice: aim for the middle of the green. The average tour pro hits it about 20 feet from the hole from 150 yards. And that's the average. As an amateur, if you can hit it on the green consistently from that distance, you're going to see your scores tumble down. Forget the flagstick. Focus on the fat part of the green. This simple strategic shift takes a tremendous amount of pressure off and lets you make a more confident, freer swing.
Ultimately, becoming a great approach player is about building a repeatable process. It's about knowing your distances, adjusting for the conditions, and playing the smart shot instead of the spectacular one. By making better decisions before you swing, you give yourself a much better chance of success.
I know that layered decision-making - yardages, wind, elevation, the lie - can feel overwhelming in the moment. That’s where technology can lend a hand. When you are standing over a shot and just aren’t sure what to do, tools like Caddie AI give you access to that supportive, expert caddie feedback in seconds. You can get a club recommendation based on the scenario or even snap a photo of a tricky lie to get simple, direct advice on how to play it. This removes the uncertainty, allowing you to focus on one thing: making a confident swing.
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