Selecting the right golf shot depends on a number of different factors. Distance from the hole, lie, elevation to the pin and hole layout are all factors that determine what type of golf shot to play. Knowing all of the different golf shots can make your game more complete, and can also get you out of some sticky situations.
Drive
The drive is the first shot on a hole, with the ball set up on a tee. A driver or wood is almost always used. The object of the drive is to hit the ball as far as possible in order to set the player up for a quality second shot.
Draw
A draw is a modified shot that moves right to left for a right-handed golfer. The draw is used to avoid hazards such as water and bunkers, as well as to help the ball land softly and in a trajectory that will make it easier for it to roll towards the hole.
Fade
A fade is the opposite of a draw, or a shot where the ball moves left to right for a right-handed golfer. Like the draw, the fade is utilized for shots where a golfer needs the ball to be moving to the right upon landing, such as when hitting into a fairway that curves to the right.
Punch
A punch shot uses a modified swing to hit the ball low and far. The punch is used in situations such as high wind or with branches overhead where the ball must stay low in order to reach the desired destination.
Pitch
A pitch is used to loft the ball in the air in order to have it land softly on the green with minimal roll. Pitches are usually made from the fairway as an approach to the green using a pitching wedge.
Flop
A flop is a modified pitch using a loft wedge that launches the ball high in the air and creates almost no roll. The flop is used mainly in situations where the ball lies well below the hole and a regular pitch would cause the ball to roll past the hole.
Chip
Chipping involves a short stroke in which the club creates a small loft and then roll with the ball. Chipping is used mainly when the ball is a short distance from the hole, yet off the green such as on the fringe of the green.
Bunker
A bunker shot is used for a ball that lands in a sand trap. Using a sand wedge, a player hits well below the ball and uses the sand to lift the ball out of the trap and onto a more favorable playing surface, usually the green.
Putt
A putt is used on the green to roll the ball towards the hole. A putt can also be used if the ball is just off the green on the fringe. The object of a putt is to keep the ball on the ground at all times and get the ball in the hole.
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