What Is the Second Shot in Golf Called?

Your first shot, the tee shot, has one main job: get the ball in play. But your second shot? That’s where the real game begins. The second shot in golf is most often called the approach shot, but it can also be a layup. Understanding the difference between these two and knowing when and how to play each one is fundamental to lowering your scores and playing smarter golf. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the shot that truly sets up your score on a hole.

What Is an Approach Shot?

An approach shot is any shot hit with the intention of landing the ball on the putting green. While it is most commonly the second shot on a par-4, it can also be your third shot on a par-5, or even your tee shot on a short par-3. Essentially, if you’re trying to hit the green, you’re hitting an approach shot.

This is where precision takes over from pure power. While you might try to smash your driver as far as you can, the approach shot demands control, accuracy, and a solid understanding of your golf clubs. Mastering your approaches is the fastest way to give yourself more birdie putts and avoid those big numbers that can ruin a scorecard.

Types of Approach Shots by Distance

Not all approach shots are created equal. The club you use and the strategy you employ will change drastically depending on how far you are from the green. Let's break them down into three key zones.

1. The Long Approach (170+ Yards)

The Clubs: Long irons (3, 4, 5-iron), hybrids, fairway woods.

Hitting a great second shot from this far out is one of the most satisfying feelings in golf. You're trying to hit a small target from a long way away, which makes it challenging. The strategy here isn't necessarily pin-seeking, it's about hitting the largest part of the green.

How to Play It:

• Focus on a Smooth Swing: The biggest mistake from this range is trying to create power by swinging harder or faster. Remember the golf swing is a rotational action. Trust your body to create the speed by rotating your torso and unwinding through the ball. Swinging out of your shoes will only lead to poor contact and off-line shots.
• Take More Club: Don't try to hit the "perfect" shot. If you're 180 yards out, it’s often better to take a club you know will get there with a comfortable 80% swing rather than a club you have to hit perfectly.
• Aim for the Center: Unless the pin is in a very accessible location, your target is the middle of the green. This provides the largest margin for error. A miss that still finds the putting surface is a massive win from this distance.

2. The Mid-Range Approach (120-170 Yards)

The Clubs: Mid-irons (6, 7, 8, 9-iron).

This is the scoring heartland for many amateur golfers. These are the shots you expect to get on the green consistently. Improving your performance from this distance will have a massive impact on your handicap.

How to Play It:

• Get Your Setup Right: With these clubs, consistency is everything. Ensure your ball position is centered in your stance for shorter irons (like a 9-iron) and moves just slightly forward for the longer ones (like a 6 or 7-iron). As your coach, I can't stress this enough: a consistent setup leads to a consistent swing. Lean over from your hips, let your arms hang naturally, and get into a comfortable, athletic stance.
• Know Your Yardages: This is non-negotiable. You absolutely must know how far you hit each of your irons. Spend time at the driving range not just hitting balls, but charting how far your well-struck shots fly with each club. It takes the guesswork out and lets you swing with conviction.
• Pick a Specific Target: From this distance, you can start being more precise. Instead of just "the green," pick a more specific target like "the left side of the green" or "the bunker just short of the pin." This gives your brain a clear picture to work with.

3. The Short Approach (Under 120 Yards)

The Clubs: Pitching Wedge (PW), Gap Wedge (GW), Sand Wedge (SW), Lob Wedge (LW).

The scoring zone! This is where you turn a good drive into a real birdie opportunity. These shots require touch and finesse just as much as they do solid swing mechanics. Your goal is not just to hit the green, but to get the ball close to the hole.

How to Play It:

• Dial in a "System": You don't need to make a full swing for every wedge shot. Develop a system of "half" and "three-quarter" swings. For example, a full swing with your sand wedge might go 90 yards, a three-quarter swing 75 yards, and a half swing 60 yards. This gives you options to hit precise distances.
• Focus on Contact: The key to a good wedge shot is striking the ball first, then the turf. To do this, make sure your weight shifts slightly toward your front foot on the downswing. This ensures you hit down on the ball, creating a clean strike and predictable spin.
• Finish Your Swing: Even on short shots, don't stop your body's rotation at impact. Keep turning your chest and hips a-ll the way through to a balanced finish, facing the target. This ensures you accelerate through the ball.

The Layup: The Smartest Second Shot You Aren't Playing

Sometimes, the wisest second shot is not an approach at all. It’s a layup. A layup is a strategic shot played intentionally short of your target (usually the green) to avoid a hazard or to leave yourself a more comfortable and preferred distance for your next shot.

The ego tells us to always go for the green. The smart golfer knows that laying up often leads to a lower score than a heroic attempt gone wrong. Think of it as a chess move - you're positioning yourself for future success.

When should you play a layup?

• Out of Range: You’ve hit a drive into the rough and you're 240 yards from the green on a par-4. The probability of you advancing the ball onto the green from this lie is extremely low. It’s smarter to take a 7-iron and hit it 150 yards back to the fairway, leaving you a 90-yard wedge shot.
• Hazard in the Way: There’s a creek running a-cross the fairway 20 yards short of the green. Trying to carry it from 190 yards might be a 50/50 shot. A layup to 100 yards out takes the hazard completely out of play and gives you a full an-d confident swing with a scoring club.
• That Uncomfortable "In-Between" Distance: You're 50 yards out - a distance you hate. You never practice it, and you don’t have a confident swing for it. Instead of forcing an awkward half-swing, you could have laid your second shot back to 80 yards, a distance where you feel fantastic with one of your wedges.

How to Execute a Layup Perfectly

A layup is not an afterthought, it’s a purposeful shot. Don't just whack the ball down there. Treat it with the same care as an approach.

1. Pick a Precise Target Yardage: Decide the exact distance you want to be from the hole after the layup. "I want to leave myself 100 yards."
2. Select a Comfortable Club: Choose a club that gets you to that distance with a smooth, easy swing - not a club you have to hit perfectly. If you can cover the distance with a 7-iron or an 8-iron, choose the 8-iron. Take the risk out of it.
3. Aim for More than just the Fairway: Pick a specific spot in the fairway, like a discolored patch of grass or a sprinkler head. A precise target leads to a more committed swing.

By learning to add the layup to your arsenal, you'll start replacing doubles and triples with bogeys and pars. It's the ultimate course management tool.

Final Thoughts

The second shot, whether it’s a bold approach aiming for the flag or a calculated layup designed to avoid trouble, is the engine room of your golf score. It's the bridge between your tee shot and your putt, and strengthening that bridge is how you become a more consistent, confident player.

Our whole philosophy behind Caddie AI is to simplify these critical moments on the course. We want to remove the uncertainty that creeps in when you’re standing over your second shot. By analyzing the hole, suggesting a strategy, helping with club selection, a-nd even analyzing a photo of your ball in a tough lie to give you real-time advice, we provide the simple answer you need to commit to your shot a-nd stop second-guessing.