Approach Shot
An approach shot is a full-swing shot played with the intention of landing the ball on the putting green. It is typically hit with an iron or wedge from the fairway, though hybrids and fairway woods can also be used on longer holes.
What is an approach shot?
An approach shot is any stroke where a golfer aims to reach the putting green from a significant distance, usually with a full or near-full swing. On a par-4 hole, the approach is usually the second shot after the drive. On a par-5, it is often the third shot, though longer hitters sometimes go for the green in two.
The term does not usually apply to par-3 holes. Because the tee shot on a par 3 is already aimed at the green, golfers rarely call it an “approach” even though the intent is the same. Short chips and pitches from just off the green also fall outside the definition in modern golf language, though that distinction is relatively recent. Before the early 1900s, any shot played onto the green counted as an approach, regardless of distance or club used.
Approach shots matter because they connect the tee game to the putting surface. A drive that splits the fairway loses much of its value if the next shot misses the green entirely. According to research by Mark Broadie, a professor at Columbia University who developed the strokes-gained statistical framework, approach shots account for the largest scoring difference between golfers of every skill level. PGA Tour players gain more strokes on the field through approach play than through driving, chipping, or putting.
For recreational golfers, greens in regulation (GIR) is the stat most directly tied to approach quality. Data from Arccos Golf, collected across 750 million shots worldwide, shows that a scratch golfer hits about 10 greens per round (roughly 56%), while a 15-handicap golfer averages fewer than 5 greens per round (about 23%). That gap, more than any other single stat, predicts the difference in scoring between those two players.
How approach shots work
An approach shot begins once the golfer is within striking distance of the green and decides to go for it rather than lay up. The club selection depends on the distance remaining. From 100 to 150 yards, most golfers reach for a short iron or wedge. Mid-irons like a 6-iron or 7-iron are common between 150 and 200 yards, and anything beyond that might call for a hybrid or fairway wood.
Distance alone does not determine the shot. Wind, elevation changes, the slope of the green, and the position of hazards all factor into club choice and target selection. On the PGA Tour, players hitting from 100 to 125 yards in the fairway finish an average of about 19.5 feet from the pin. From 175 to 200 yards, that number jumps to roughly 33 feet. Even the best players in the world leave themselves with long birdie putts more often than not.
For amateur golfers, those numbers are much larger. A 10-handicap golfer hitting a 7-iron from 150 yards lands inside 20 feet only about 19% of the time, according to data published by Golf Monthly using Arccos tracking. That is why many coaches recommend aiming for the center of the green rather than firing at the flag, a strategy that reduces the risk of missing into bunkers or other trouble spots.
Approach shot vs. pitch shot
The line between an approach shot and a pitch shot is about distance and swing type. An approach shot involves a full swing (or close to it) from a distance that typically exceeds 100 yards. A pitch shot covers less ground, usually between 30 and 100 yards, and uses a partial swing with more wrist action to produce a higher, softer ball flight.
A chip shot is different from both. Chips are played from just off the green with a low, running trajectory and minimal air time. They rarely travel more than 20 or 30 yards.
The table below summarizes how the three shots compare:
| Shot type | Typical distance | Swing type | Trajectory | Primary goal |
| Approach shot | 100+ yards | Full swing | Mid to high | Reach the putting green |
| Pitch shot | 30–100 yards | Partial swing | High, soft landing | Land softly near the pin |
| Chip shot | Under 30 yards | Short, controlled stroke | Low, mostly roll | Get the ball rolling toward the hole |
The “approach” in approach wedge
Golfers sometimes hear the term “approach” in a different context: the approach wedge. This club, also called a gap wedge or attack wedge, has a loft between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge, usually around 50 to 52 degrees. It fills the distance gap that would otherwise exist between those two clubs.
The name comes from the club’s original purpose. It was designed for full-swing approach shots from roughly 90 to 110 yards, where a pitching wedge goes too far, and a sand wedge does not go far enough. Today, many iron sets include an approach wedge as a standard club alongside the pitching wedge.
The word “approach” also has a second, less common meaning in golf. It can describe the physical area of a hole where the fairway leads up to the putting green. A golfer might say “the approach on this hole is tight,” meaning the corridor of fairway narrowing toward the green leaves little margin for error. This usage refers to course design, not to a type of shot.
Related Golf Terms
- Alternate shot — A format where two-player teams alternate hitting the same ball.
- All square — In match play, when the match is tied.
- Fairway — The closely mown area between the tee and the green where approach shots are ideally played from.
- Approach — A shot intended to reach the putting green.
- Wedge — A high-lofted club used for short approach shots, pitch and chip shots, and bunker play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tee shot on a par 3 considered an approach shot?
Not in common usage. Although the tee shot on a par 3 is aimed at the green, most golfers do not call it an approach shot. The term is generally reserved for shots played from the fairway after the tee shot, such as the second shot on a par 4 or the third shot on a par 5.
What clubs are used for approach shots?
It depends on the distance. Short irons (8-iron, 9-iron) and wedges handle approaches from under 150 yards, while mid-irons (5-iron through 7-iron) cover 150 to 200 yards. For longer approaches, golfers may use a hybrid or fairway wood.
How can I hit more greens in regulation?
Aim for the center of the green instead of the flag. Use a rangefinder or GPS device to get an accurate yardage, and choose a club based on how far you carry the ball on average rather than your best-ever distance with that club. Data from Arccos Golf shows that most amateur golfers miss greens short, so taking one extra club can make a noticeable difference.
Sources
- Broadie, Mark. “Every Shot Counts.” Gotham Books, 2014.
- PGA Tour. “Strokes Gained Statistics.” pgatour.com. Accessed April 2026.
- Arccos Golf. “Scratch vs. 20 Handicap: How the Stats Compare.” Published via Golf Monthly. Accessed April 2026.
- Break X Golf. “Average Golf Stats by Handicap.” breakxgolf.com. Accessed April 2026.
- Practical Golf. “Approach Shot Strategy: How to Lower Your Scores with Smarter Targets.” practical-golf.com. Accessed April 2026.
- Callaway Golf. “Golf Wedge Buying Guide.” callawaygolf.com. Accessed April 2026.
