Approach

An approach in golf is any shot played with the intention of landing the ball on the putting green. It is typically the second shot on a par-4 hole or the third shot on a par-5, hit with a full swing from the fairway or rough. The word “approach” can also refer to the physical area of a hole where the fairway runs up to the green.

What is an approach in golf?

An approach is a shot played from the fairway or rough with the goal of landing the ball on the putting green. On a par-4 hole, this is usually the second shot. On a par-5, it is typically the third. The golfer selects an iron, hybrid, or fairway wood depending on how far the ball sits from the green, and makes a full swing aimed at the putting surface.

Par-3 holes are a slight exception. Because the golfer tees off with the intention of reaching the green in one shot, the tee shot on a par-3 is technically an approach. But golfers rarely use the word that way. In everyday language, “approach shot” almost always refers to a full-swing shot from the fairway on a par-4 or par-5.

The term has narrowed over time. Before the early 1900s, any shot that moved the ball onto the green counted as an approach, including short chips from just off the putting surface. Modern usage limits it to full-swing shots, usually from 100 yards or more. A half-swing pitch from 40 yards or a chip from the fringe would not be called an approach today.

Golfers often shorten the phrase. A commentator might say “she hit a 7-iron for her approach” or “he is approaching the 5th green with a 6-iron.” Both mean the same thing: a full shot aimed at the putting surface.

Approach shot vs. chip shot vs. pitch shot

Newer golfers often mix up approach shots, pitch shots, and chip shots. All three aim to get the ball closer to (or onto) the green, but they differ in distance, swing type, and the clubs involved.

Shot type	Typical distance	Swing	Common clubs
Approach shot	100 yards and beyond	Full swing	Mid-irons, short irons, hybrids, fairway woods
Pitch shot	30 to 100 yards	Partial to full swing	Pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge
Chip shot	Under 30 yards (near the green)	Short, low stroke	7-iron through sand wedge

The simplest way to remember the difference: an approach gets the ball to the green from well out in the fairway, a pitch lofts it onto the green from closer range, and a chip keeps the ball low and rolling from just off the putting surface.

Why approach shots matter for scoring

Approach play has a bigger effect on scoring than most golfers realise. Research by Mark Broadie, a professor at Columbia Business School, found that shots starting over 100 yards from the hole account for roughly two-thirds of the scoring difference between better and worse golfers on the PGA Tour (source: Every Shot Counts, 2014). That category includes both tee shots and approach shots, but approach accuracy is where much of the separation happens.

One way to measure approach quality is greens in regulation (GIR), which tracks how often a golfer reaches the putting surface in the expected number of strokes (two on a par-4, three on a par-5, one on a par-3). According to Shot Scope data, a scratch golfer hits about 52% of greens in regulation during a typical round. A 15-handicapper hits roughly 23%. On the PGA Tour, the average GIR rate sits near 68%, according to PGA Tour statistics.

Those numbers tell a clear story. Golfers who reach the green more often give themselves more birdie and par opportunities, and they avoid the difficult scrambling situations that lead to bogeys and worse. Improving approach play is one of the most direct ways to lower scores at every level of the game.

The approach as a hole feature

The word “approach” has a second meaning in golf that has nothing to do with the shot itself. It can describe the physical area of a hole where the fairway narrows and runs up to the putting green.

Golfers and course designers use this definition when talking about how a hole plays. Someone might say, “the approach on the 7th is tight” or “this hole has a wide-open approach that lets you run the ball onto the green.” In both cases, they are describing the geography of the hole, specifically the shape, width, and slope of the ground between the fairway and the green.

A tight approach, guarded by bunkers or water, demands a high shot that lands softly. An open approach with flat ground in front of the green gives golfers the option of playing a lower, running shot. Knowing which type of approach a hole has can change club and shot selection before the swing.

Related Golf Terms

Chip shot — A short, low shot played from just off the green, designed to roll toward the hole.
Alternate shot — A format where two-player teams alternate hitting the same ball.
Ace — A hole-in-one; completing a hole in a single stroke.
Wedge — A high-lofted iron used for short approach shots and pitches, as well as bunker play.
All square — In match play, when the match is tied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a tee shot on a par 3 an approach shot?

Technically, yes. The golfer is aiming at the green with the intent of reaching the putting surface. But in common usage, golfers almost never call a par-3 tee shot an “approach shot.” The term is reserved for shots played from the fairway on longer holes.

What clubs are used for approach shots?

It depends on the distance. Short irons (8-iron, 9-iron) and wedges handle approaches inside 150 yards. From 150 to 190 yards, most golfers reach for a mid-iron like a 5, 6, or 7. Beyond that, hybrids and fairway woods are the usual choice, since long irons are difficult to hit consistently.

What is an approach course?

An approach course is a short golf course built specifically for practising approach shots into greens. Most have nine holes, each under 150 yards. Depending on the layout, they may also be called par-3 courses or pitch-and-putt courses.

Sources

Mark Broadie. Every Shot Counts. Gotham Books, 2014.
PGA Tour. “Approach the Green Statistics.” pgatour.com/stats/approach-green. Accessed April 2026.
Shot Scope. “How Many Greens Do Amateur Golfers Hit?” shotscope.com/blog. Accessed April 2026.
Golf Monthly. “How Many Greens in Regulation Does an Average Golfer Hit?” golfmonthly.com. Accessed April 2026.