The Second Shot Strategy: Why Your Approach Game Defines Your Handicap

Most golfers focus on their tee shots or short game when trying to lower scores. But if you look at what actually separates a scratch player from a mid-handicapper, it often comes down to one thing — second shots.

Approach shots are the real scoring chances in a round. They set up birdie putts, create easy pars, and help you avoid scrambling for bogey or worse. Yet many amateurs treat them as an afterthought — as just the shot between the tee and the green.

In reality, your ability to consistently hit greens and leave yourself makeable putts is one of the biggest predictors of scoring potential. And it’s not just about ball striking — it’s about strategy.

Whether you’re facing a 140-yard 8-iron or a 215-yard hybrid into a par 5, your decision-making on second shots often determines whether your round stays on track or unravels.

In this article, we’ll explore why second shots matter more than you think, what separates good approach players, and how to build your own second-shot strategy that helps you shoot lower scores.

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Why Second Shots Matter More Than You Think

Look at any PGA Tour stat sheet and you’ll see a pattern: the best players hit a lot of greens. In fact, proximity to the hole and greens in regulation (GIR) are two of the most telling stats for predicting scoring average. It’s not about how far you hit it — it’s about how close your second shot ends up.

For amateur golfers, the gap is even more obvious. A scratch player hits around 12–13 greens per round. A 15-handicap? Closer to 6. That’s 6–7 extra chances every round to make par or birdie — instead of scrambling to avoid double bogey.

Second shots are also where the round can turn. A poor approach into trouble often leads to big numbers. A smart shot to the middle of the green gives you a stress-free two-putt par.

Think about how many par 4s you play each round. Your drive may leave you in the fairway, but your second shot is what determines if you’ll have a 12-foot birdie putt or a delicate chip from the rough. The same applies to par 3s — your first and only full swing on the hole is effectively your second shot strategy.

Even on par 5s, it’s the second shot — whether a layup or a go-for-it swing — that often dictates how the hole unfolds. Choose wisely, and it sets up a birdie look. Get greedy, and suddenly you’re punching out from behind a tree.

If you want to consistently lower your scores, start thinking of second shots as your main scoring weapon — not just a bridge between tee and green.

What Separates Good Approach Players

You don’t need to hit every green to score well — but you do need to make smart choices and strike your irons with consistency. That’s where good approach players separate themselves.

First, they know their carry distances. They aren’t guessing if their 8-iron goes 140 or 150 — they’ve tested it. This allows them to make confident club selections, especially when the pin is tucked near trouble.

They also play with controlled strategy. Instead of always aiming at the flag, they focus on the safe side of the green — the middle, the fat side, or wherever eliminates the big miss. That discipline leads to more greens hit and fewer short-sided chips.

Contact matters, too. Good approach players work hard on hitting the center of the face. Even if they aren’t perfectly aligned, solid contact often still gets them near the green. For mid- and high-handicaps, this alone can cut strokes fast.

They also think ahead. On par 5s, for example, better players know when to lay up to their favorite wedge yardage versus trying to hit a miracle shot. It’s not about playing scared — it’s about knowing your game and playing the odds.

If you want to improve quickly, start paying more attention to your approach decisions. It’s often where the round is won or lost.

Common Mistakes Golfers Make on Second Shots

Even well-struck irons can lead to trouble if your strategy isn’t sound. Here are some of the biggest second-shot mistakes that sabotage scores — and how to avoid them.

Overestimating Distance

Many golfers choose a club based on the perfect shot — the one they hit once on the range. But golf is played with averages, not outliers.

If your 7-iron can go 160 yards but usually flies 150, plan for 150. Taking the wrong club leads to short misses — and short often means bunkers, rough, or water.

Aiming at the Pin — No Matter What

Flag-hunting feels aggressive and rewarding, but for most amateurs, it’s a recipe for short-siding and big numbers.

Instead, aim for:

• The center of the green
• The side that gives you the easiest up-and-down if you miss
• A target that avoids the worst-case outcome (like water or deep bunkers)

Letting Ego Dictate Shot Choices

On par 5s or long par 4s, many golfers pull out fairway woods or hybrids just because they could reach. But if you’re in the rough, on a slope, or facing a tight landing area, that swing could bring double or triple into play.

Good players ask: What’s the highest percentage play here? Often, that’s a wedge from 90 yards instead of a heroic 3-wood from 235.

Ignoring Lie and Conditions

Your ball sitting in light rough or on a downhill slope makes a big difference. Yet most players treat every second shot like it’s off a tee.

Pause before you swing. Ask:

• Is the lie clean enough to go for it?
• Will the slope affect my ball flight or contact?
• Should I adjust club choice or aim?

Avoiding these mistakes won’t just help you hit more greens — it’ll keep you out of trouble and set up easier recoveries when you do miss.

Creating Your Own Second Shot Game Plan

If you want to lower your handicap, it’s time to take ownership of your approach game. That means building a strategy — not just reacting to yardages.

Audit Your Current Approach Stats

Start by tracking how many greens you hit per round and which distances give you trouble. You don’t need fancy software — just jot down whether you hit the green and what club you used.

Look for patterns like:

• Do you miss short more than long?
• Are you better from 100–130 yards than 160–180?
• Are your misses mostly left, right, or short-sided?

Practice the Right Yardage Windows

Most players spend too much time on the range hitting full 7-irons and not enough time practicing approach distances. Focus your practice on the three zones that matter most:

• 100–130 yards (wedge scoring zone)
• 140–160 yards (mid-iron consistency)
• 170–200 yards (longer approach and hybrid territory)

Build Strategy Around Your Strengths

If you know you’re accurate from 115 yards with a gap wedge but struggle from 145 yards with a 9-iron, plan your layups accordingly.

On par 5s, don’t just get it “as close as possible.” Lay up to your ideal yardage — even if that means leaving 95 yards instead of 50.

The best second shot players remove uncertainty. They hit to distances and targets they’ve trained for.

Course Management Examples (With Scenarios)

Understanding second shot strategy is one thing — but seeing it in action makes it easier to apply. Here are common scenarios where smarter second shots can instantly improve your scorecard.

Par 5: Lay Up or Go for It?

You’ve got 235 yards to the flag, but there’s a bunker short and water right. Your 3-wood might get there — but only if you hit it flush.

Instead of forcing it, consider this:

• A smooth 7-iron leaves you 90 yards, a perfect full wedge.
• The next shot gives you spin and control.
• Your worst-case scenario is a 20-foot birdie putt or two-putt par.

Par 4: Controlled Tee Shot to Set Up a Comfortable Approach

The hole is 380 yards. Most amateurs grab driver and try to get as close as possible, leaving a 40-yard partial wedge they rarely practice.

But what if you hit a 4-hybrid off the tee and leave 125 yards — your favorite full swing?

Sometimes backing off the tee makes the second shot easier and leads to better scoring.

Par 3: Middle of the Green is the Smart Play

You’re on a 185-yard par 3 with a tucked back-right pin over a bunker. It’s tempting to go for it — but one push and you’re short-sided with no green to work with.

The better play:

• Aim for the middle-left of the green
• Take your two-putt or give yourself a safe look at birdie
• Avoid the high-risk miss

How to Track and Improve Your Second Shot Trends

If you want to make real progress with your approach game, start tracking what happens after your tee shot. The numbers will often reveal patterns your memory overlooks.

Simple Ways to Track Your Second Shot Performance

You don’t need a launch monitor or fancy app to get started. Use a notepad, scorecard, or basic spreadsheet to record:

• Did you hit the green?
• What club did you use?
• How far was the shot?
• Where did the ball end up (short, long, left, right)?
• Did the result lead to a par, bogey, or worse?

Even tracking this for just 3–4 rounds can uncover issues like consistently under-clubbing or missing to the same side.

Use Apps or Tools for Deeper Insights

If you want a more automated approach, apps like Arccos, DECADE, or Shot Scope will track distances, dispersion patterns, and strokes gained — giving you tour-level feedback on your second shot tendencies.

This kind of data helps you focus your practice and club selection. For example, if you discover your 6-iron misses left 60% of the time, you can adjust your aim or work on face control.

Why It Works

Tracking your second shots turns vague frustration into specific feedback. You’ll start making smarter decisions and setting more realistic expectations — which is often all it takes to hit more greens and save strokes.

Final Thoughts: Stop Treating Second Shots as Just “Next”

For most golfers, second shots are where rounds are quietly lost — or consistently saved.

It’s easy to treat approach shots as routine. After all, they fall between the excitement of the drive and the pressure of the putt. But if you want to drop your scores, second shots deserve more of your attention, planning, and practice.

Every time you stand over your second shot, you’re choosing between two paths: one that puts you in position to score, and one that introduces unnecessary risk.

The best players take the time to make smart choices. They know their distances. They aim away from trouble. And they practice the shots that show up most in their rounds.

If you start treating second shots like the scoring opportunities they really are — not just another swing — you’ll be surprised how quickly your handicap starts moving in the right direction.

Golf Practice Plan – What to Do & Not To Do

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Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor