What are the different types of shots in golf?
There are many different types of golf shot that you are faced with on every hole. Whether you're teeing one up on the tee, hitting an approach from the fairway or floating a flop shot up and over a bunker, not every shot is played the same.
Here, we delve into each type of golf shot, explaining what they mean, when they may be played and technically the best way to play them.
Tee shot
This is the first stroke that a golfer makes on any hole, be it a par 3, 4 or 5. On a par 4 and 5 the shot is usually hit with a driver (the longest club in the bag) though you might use a fairway wood or long iron if you were looking for accuracy rather than distance. On a par 3 it depends how far you hit each iron or wood to hit the right distance.
Approach
The approach shot is the one played after the tee shot. It can be played from the fairway, rough, fairway bunker or wherever your tee shot finished. On a par 4 you will ideally be within range of the green to give yourself a chance of finding the putting surface and making a par or even a birdie. If you have a shot on the hole – where your handicap matches or is higher than the Stroke Index – then you might want to consider using the shot wisely and playing for position. Similarly on a par 5, the approach shot is generally played to a position which will give you the best chance of pitching onto the green.
Lay up
A lay up is a strategic shot when a player decides not to take on the green because there is either a hazard to negotiate or they consider that it gives them a better chance of a lower score if they play up short of the green. This can happen on any hole, even a par 3, where the smarter shot is deemed to be one that makes the next one more straightforward. It happens more often on a par 5 or long par 4 where the riskier shot will be played with a fairway wood or long iron and the player will hit a shorter club into position. It will also take place if a player gets out of position on a par 4 or 5 and the smart shot is to lay up the next shot back on the fairway.
Chip
A chip is a short shot played from close to the green and is played with any club depending on a player's preference and what lies between the ball and hole. The longer the iron the lower the chip shot will be with a lob wedge the most lofted club in the bag and the one that will give you the most height. Generally speaking the higher the shot the less roll there will be and the longer the iron, for example a 5-iron, the shot will be low and the ball will have plenty of run. Technique wise play the shot with minimal wrist action with the main movement coming from your shoulders and arms. There should be a slight descending strike, with your hands ahead of the clubhead through impact.
Pitch
A pitch shot is played from around 20-80 yards which is designed to carry most of the distance in the air and stop quickly. It is generally played with a wedge with the more loft on the club, the higher and softer the pitch will land. Technique wise, like a chip shot, there should be a descending strike on the ball with the hands slightly ahead at impact. You can vary your distance by adjusting the length of your backswing.
Bunker
When you are playing a shot from a bunker you are not allowed to ground the club nor touch or test the sand. When playing a greenside bunker shot it is normally played with a sand or lob wedge to achieve a high escape and soft landing. Technique wise open your stance and the clubface to add loft to the shot and have the ball position opposite your front foot. Have more weight on your lead foot and look to strike the sand 1-2 inches behind the ball and accelerate through the shot. You do not need to make direct contact with the ball as the sand will push the ball out.
Bump and run
The bump and run, or chip and run, is a low shot played from close to the green. You are looking for plenty of run and the shot is useful as a low-risk way to get the ball onto the green. The shot is generally played with a mid-iron and the lower the iron, the lower the shot. So a 6-iron will be lower and have more run than a 9-iron. Technique wise you play the ball back in your stance which encourages a descending strike that keeps the ball low. It should be played with a putting-like motion with little or no wrist hinge.
Flop
The flop shot is a high risk shot that is played close to the green and is particularly useful when there is a bunker or thick rough between you and the flag. It is generally played with your most lofted club with the idea to hit the ball high and stop the ball quickly. Technique wise open the clubface to add more loft, stand with your body open to the target and take a long, smooth backswing and hinge your wrists. On the downswing, aim to slide the club under the ball by hitting the ground slightly behind it, letting the clubface pop the ball into the air. Maintain your speed through the shot and avoid decelerating as that can lead to poor contact.
To find out more about how to play each shot, click here.
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