32 Types of Golf Shots and What Each Name Means

An approach shot is a shot hit from between 50 and 250 yards with the intention of hitting the ball onto the green. Approach shots are often hit with a full swing and taken with irons or hybrids. A tee shot on a par-3, second shot on a par-4, and third shot on a par-5 is an approach shot given that you’re in position.

A block is a type of miss-hit that happens when you miss in the direction of your dexterity (to the right for a right-handed player) and the ball flies straight with little if any curve. A block can also be referred to as a push.

A bump-and-run is a short game shot that rolls (or runs) much farther than it carries in the air. It’s called a bump and run because the shot only requires a “bump” with a lower-lofted club, then runs out towards the target.

A bunker shot is a shot hit from a sand trap or bunker.

A chip is a shot hit from within 25 yards of the green that rolls out as much or more than it carries in the air.

A chunk is a type of mis-hit that occurs when the player hits the ground before hitting the ball, resulting in a severe loss of distance and usually a large divot.

A cut shot is a controlled shot that a player intentionally curves in the direction of their dexterity. A right-handed player hitting a cut would start the ball to the left of where they intended for the ball to finish, and let it curve subtly to the right. A cut can also be referred to as a fade. When a cut is out of control it becomes a slice.

A draw is a controlled shot shape that a player hits in the opposite direction of their dexterity. A right-handed player hitting a draw would start the ball to the right of where they intended for the ball to finish, and let it curve to the left. When a draw is out of control it becomes a hook.

A drive is a player’s tee shot on a par-4 or par-5 hole. A good drive advances the ball as far as safely possible and leaves a clear path from the ball to the hole.

Fade is a more common term for a cut shot, where a player intentionally hits a controlled shot that curves in the direction of their dexterity. For a right-handed player, a fade starts to the left and subtly curves from left to right.

A fairway finder is a casual term for a drive or tee shot that is hit with the primary goal of hitting the fairway, even if some distance is sacrificed for more precision.

A floater is a shot that is hit high in the air with plenty of hang time, and lands with a steep descent angle. A floater is often a shot that’s hit into a strong wind that seems to hang in the air without advancing very far.

A flop shot is a short game shot that launches high in the air, and stops quickly when it lands. Flop shots typically do not cover much ground, and are required when a player must carry an obstacle between their ball and the hole, and does not have room to let the ball roll after it lands.

A green light shot is a casual term for a situation when a player can take an aggressive line at a flag with little to no risk.

A hook is a mis-hit that curves severely in the opposite direction of a player’s dexterity. For a right-handed player, a hook is an out-of-control shot that curves to the left. 

A regular hook shot may start to the right for a right-handed player before hooking left, while a straight hook starts at the target line then hooks, and a pull-hook starts to the left of the target, then hooks even further left.

A hybrid chip is a chip shot from near the green that a player hits with a hybrid club with a similar technique to a putting stroke. A hybrid chip can be used when a player wants to hit a controlled shot that stays on the ground and rolls up to the hole, but has too much fringe or rough to use a putter. Chipping with a hybrid will skip the ball through the first portion of the turf before rolling out.

A lag putt is a long-distance putt, 20-feet or more, that finishes close to the hole and leaves only a tap-in.

A lay up is a shot that a player plays to a specific distance or intentionally hits short of a specific obstacle in an effort to reduce the possibility of trouble or penalty strokes.

A low-spinner is a popular short-game shot that launches low and has high spin. After a low-spinner lands on the green, it stops quickly.

A pitch shot is a short game shot from inside of 50 yards that flies farther than it rolls.

A pull is a mis-hit shot that travels on a relatively straight line in the opposite direction of a player’s dexterity. For a right-handed player, a pull shot flies to the left and has little to no curve.

A punch shot is a shot hit with a partial swing and lower-lofted club in an effort to advance the ball a controlled distance to a specific position. A punch shot has a lower trajectory than a full swing shot and will roll out after it lands.

A punch out is a punch shot that a player hits from a spot of trouble. If a player’s ball is in thick rough or fescue, or there is a branch, bush or other obstacle that prevents a player from taking a full swing at the hole, the player likely needs to punch out to get back into position.

A push shot is a mis-hit that flies on a fairly straight line in the direction of a player’s dexterity. A right-handed player who hits a push will miss their target to the right. Push is another term for block.

A putt is a stroke taken with a putter that rolls the entire way. Any stroke taken from the putting green is technically considered a putt, and players often putt from just off the putting green when there are no obstacles between their ball and the hole.

A shank is a mis-hit in which the player strikes the ball off the hosel of the golf club rather than the club face. Shanks typically fly low and at about a 45-degree angle in the direction of the player’s dexterity (to the right for a right-handed player).

Skull is a casual term to describe when the club strikes the equator of the ball, causing it to fly significantly lower and farther than the player intended. Skulls are typically associated with short-game shots but can happen in any situation. Hitting the ball thin is synonymous with a skull.

A slice is a mis-hit that curves out of control in the direction of a player’s dexterity. For a right-handed golfer, a slice curves severely to the right. A slice can start to the left then slice to the right, start straight then slice (straight slice) or start right and slice even farther to the right (push slice).

A stinger is a shot that’s intentionally hit on a low trajectory and rolls out a long way. Stingers help players keep the ball out of the wind and can more control to some difficult shots.

Synonymous with a skulled shot, a thin shot describes a ball that is struck on the equator and flies much farther and lower than intended.

A topped shot is a shot that is struck on the top-half of the ball. Topped shots often pop up into the air then bounce and roll forward a short distance.

A two-hop-and-stopper is a term to describe a short game shot that, after landing on the green, hops twice then quickly stops. A low spinner is often a two-hop-and-stopper.