Types Of Golf Shots Explained For Beginners
There are different types of golf shots that you should become familiar with when you are learning how to play. It will depend on where you’re hitting the ball from when deciding which club and swing to use. Certain shots will be used for your long game, and others for your short game. In this post, you will learn different kinds of golf swings and what they mean.
Golf Shots Explained
Long Game
Drive
A drive is a long-distance shot that is meant to hit the ball down the fairway towards the green. This shot is usually taken from the tee which is why it’s also known as a “tee shot”, but it can be hit from the fairway if necessary.
Finding the best golf driver for beginners will help if you’re just starting out. Many players practice this shot at a driving range.
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Approach
An approach is the broadest of golf shot categories. It includes all shots that begin at least 100 yards from the hole when you are trying to land your ball on the green. If you are a beginner, a bigger golf ball might benefit you to hit the ball higher and farther.
Lay Up
Also known as “laying up” or a “lay-up shot”, this swing is made from the fairway after the drive. The golf ball is hit intentionally shorter than the player is capable of hitting it due to the presence of a hazard or penalty area. This is a strategic swing that golfers learn to try to place the ball at a certain distance or angle to the target.
Three-Quarter Shot
The three-quarter golf swing is when a golfer swings about ¾ of the way on their backswing and ¾ of the way on their follow-through. The main reason is to control the golf club distance when a player is faced with a certain distance for the ball to be hit and they don’t want to use a full swing.
Punch / Knockdown
A “knockdown shot” is a type of golf swing in which the player produces a lower trajectory for the flight of the ball so it doesn’t get as high in the air as it would with a typical swing. This is also known as a “punch shot”. This shot is usually played when trying to keep the ball lower due to strong winds or to avoid obstacles such as tree branches.
Blind Shot
A blind shot refers to anytime a golfer is unable to see the intended target from the location of their swing.
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Short Game
Pitch
A pitch shot spends more time in the air than on the ground and is designed to go a short distance. It is longer than a chip shot but not long enough to be classified as a full swing.
Pitch and Run
This shot is played near the green, flies a short distance (usually a little higher than a chip shot), and rolls towards the hole. A pitch and run is similar to a pitch shot but the golf ball rolls farther.
Chip
A chip shot has more ground time than air, with very little carry and more time bouncing and rolling on the green. This shot often occurs within a few yards from the green and requires a smaller swing than a pitch shot.
Bump and Run
The bump and run shot (sometimes called a "chip and run") is when you hit your ball so it flies only a short distance and then bounces and rolls the rest of the way. It is an approach shot to the green typically played from close to the green's edge.
Lob
A lob shot is a high, soft shot that lands and stops very quickly. Learning to hit a good lob shot takes practice and proper technique. Learn how to play this shot here.
Bunker Shot
A bunker shot is used when a player needs to hit the golf ball out of a sand bunker. When the bunker is located next to the green, it is called a “greenside bunker shot”. If the bunker is far away from the green, it is called a “fairway bunker shot”.
Putt
A putt is one of those general golf terms most people have heard of. It’s when a player strikes a golf ball on the putting green to cause the ball to roll into or near the hole.
You’ll get a lot of practice with these on a par 3 course or an executive course. Learn how to use golf ball markings to improve your game.
Explosion Shot
Also known as a “blast shot”, this is a shot generally taken from a bunker where the club is swung down into the sand just under and behind the ball. The player strikes sand before the ball with a large amount of force, sending both the sand and ball into the air towards the target.
Up-And-Down
The slang golf term "up and down" refers to a player accomplishing hitting their ball into the hole after taking only two strokes when the ball is resting around the green or in a greenside bunker.
Sandie
A sandie (or sandy) refers to a score in golf of par or better that includes a bunker shot.
Depending on the golf format, you’ll find various types of shots to use to maximize your performance. Now that you’ve learned about different golf swings, you can improve your game and have more fun on the course!
