The sport of golf can be complex. From the complicated swing to unique course designs, golfing takes a lot of time and handwork to master the game.
If you are a beginner, you might get overwhelmed with the number of shots you would need in your arsenal. Since there are so many types of golf shots here’s a little shots guide to help you out:
Different types of Golf Shots
Overwhelmed by the golf terms? Check out the simple definitions below.
Drive (Tee Shot)
The drive is what happens from the tee box (there are 3-6 tee boxes on each course) and in between or behind the tee markers.
Approach Shots
This is your second shot to the green on a par 4 (or your tee shot on a par 3).
When ‘approach’ is hit on the green after a drive, then it is known as a green in regulation.
Lay-Up
This is a golf shot where you intentionally lay up short of the green. Lay-up shorts happen for two reasons:
- When you can’t reach the green on your second shot.
- When you’re in trouble off the tee and can’t reach the green.
Punch Shots
This golf shot is made when you need to keep it low to avoid obstacles like trees and rods. You also need to make sure that you make the adjustments at setup and during the swing so you don’t hit your shot too high.
Straight Shot
Straight shot requires you to have a straight club face and a straight path at the impact position. This is considered the hardest shot that most golfers tend to avoid.
Slice
This shot goes from left to right in the air. In this, you are very likely to lose distance and miss fairways.
Fade (Cut)
A fade is a smaller version of slice where the slice is controlled. You can rely on this shot if you are consistently well at hitting the shot well.
Hook
The hook is opposite to a slice as in this shot the ball goes right to left in the air. Also known as “duck hook”, this shot has a ton of forward spin due to the clubface at impact. This may lead to a lot of bad spots on the golf course.
Draw
A tamer version of the hook where the shot travels slightly right to left in the air.
Thin
Also known as “worm burner”, this shot happens when you hit a shot low on the club face. This occurs from missing the sweet spot and hitting it a groove or two low.
Fat (Chunk)
Unlike thin shots, fat is when you make contact with the top grooves above the sweet spot and the ball covers very little distance. This frustrates most golfers as the ball doesn’t move much and the grooves get packed with mud.
Blind Shot
Blind Shot is when you can’t see your target. You might have to hit over a desert area, trees, or other obstacles and give it your best guess. To master this shot, you need a lot of practice since you can’t spot the target.
Mulligan
This golf shot is for a “redo” of your past shot. If Mulligan happens on the first tee, it’s considered a “breakfast ball.” Also, this shot is not allowed in competitions but amateur golfers have a lot of fun with it.
Topped Shot
This frustrating shot is when the ball only travels a few yards and has tons of forward spin. This occurs because of the issues in your setup and backswing.
Shank
Also known as a “hosel rocket”, in this shot, the ball makes contact with the hosel of the club.
When this happens, the ball shoots right immediately after impact and can leave you in some bad spots on the golf course.
Short Game Shots
Putt
A shot that happens when you’re on the greens. This shot is when you use a putter to roll the ball on the green to get it in the hole.
Fringe Putt
This shot happens when you choose to use a putter when the ball is resting on the fringe, not the green. You can’t lift, clean, and mark this putt since it’s not on the green.
Lag Putt
The shot where you face a long putt on the green. These are typically 30+ feet and the goal is to “lag” and close it to the hole.
Gimme
A shot where the “putt” is given to you. Therefore, you don’t need to putt it as your playing partners have conceded you the putt.
Chip
This shot happens near the green with a gap or pitching wedge. The goal here is to get it on the green and get it rolling like a putt.
Pitch
This shot goes higher than a chip shot and is used with a sand or lob wedge. Pitches can happen around the greens all the way back to 20-30 yards short of the greens.
Flop
Flop shots are higher pitches. These shots require a low wedge with an open face to launch it high and land softly on the greens.
Greenside Bunker Shots
It is when your ball ends up in the sand near the green.
Variations of a Greenside Bunker Shot:
Plugged Lie
This happens when your ball is embedded in the sand vs. sits up in the sand like a traditional bunker shot.
Fried Egg
This happens when your ball hits the bunker and leaves a small circle around the ball. These shots don’t tend to spin as much.
Conclusion
As you can tell, there are a lot of different golf shots. As a new golfer, focus on these shots first:
1. Drive
2. Approach
3. Chip
4. Pitch
5. Putt
These five shots will help you develop a foundation for golf. You can always build up your skills by learning to hit flops, draws, and other more advanced shots.
For now, just focus on the basics to make the game an easy and fun one for yourself.
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