Distance for an approach shot in golf: how to judge it correctly on the driving range and on the course
The distance of an approach shot in golf is most often between 20 and 100 meters from the green. Below 20 meters, it's called a chip; between 10 and 40 meters, a pitch. In all cases, the objective remains the same: to place the ball close enough to the flag to leave a playable putt.
Many amateur golfers achieve good contact with the ball, but see it finish either too short or too long. The problem is almost never pure technique: it's the distance control.
Expert advice: On the Belvédère driving range, the most common mistake among beginners in the short game is changing their swing with each shot instead of changing clubs.
Table of Contents - Distance for an approach shot in golf: how to judge it correctly on the driving range and on the course
Chip, pitch, approach: where are the boundaries?
These three words refer to different blows, but they often overlap in everyday language:
- Chip : 0 to approximately 20m, low blow with a lot of roll.
- Pitch : approximately 10 to 40 m, ball higher, reduced roll.
- Approach : global term, widely used for the entire range from 20 to 100 m depending on the context.
In practice, on the course, we simply speak of an "approach" as soon as the shot is played less than 100 meters from the flag and precedes a putt.
Why distance is key to your approaches
The real objective is not to put the ball in.
The goal of an approach shot isn't necessarily to hole the ball. The main objective is to leave an easy putt.
- leave more putts within 3 meters
- avoid long downhill putts
- reduce double bogeys
Most mistakes come from the dosage, not the swing
- Ball too short (deceleration on impact)
- Ball too long (swing amplitude poorly calibrated)
- poor choice of club for the remaining distance
Before changing your technique, first work on your distance reference points: that's often where half the problem lies.
Understanding the flight/roll logic
An approach shot always consists of two phases: the ball's flight through the air, then its roll once it lands on the green. The club chosen determines the balance between the two.
| Club | Flight | Rolled |
|---|---|---|
| Pitching wedge (PW) | ~1/3 of the total distance | ~2/3 of the total distance |
| Sand wedge (SW) | No more theft | Less rolling |
| Iron 9 | Less theft | No more rolling |
Understanding this logic allows you to choose the right club for the situation rather than forcing a swing to compensate for a poor choice of equipment. To delve deeper into this mechanism, our A complete guide to golf approaches details each type of shot around the green.
The 3-amplitude method for dosing without thinking about it
The best way to master your approach distances is to limit the variables. Instead of changing your swing with each shot, use three fixed swing lengths and change clubs rather than strength.
The 3 reference swing lengths
- Small swing: hands at ankle height
- Medium swing: hands at knee height
- Grand swing: hands mid-thigh
Expert advice: A pitching wedge with a short swing produces a short distance; the same pitching wedge with a medium swing produces a medium distance; a sand wedge with a medium swing will produce more height and less roll than the pitching wedge with an equivalent swing length.
This method creates reliable reference points that can be reproduced under pressure, without having to reinvent a movement for each shot.
Which wedge should I choose depending on the approach distance?
The choice of club greatly influences the final distance and how the ball behaves upon landing.
| Wedge | Approximate distance | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| PW (Pitching Wedge) | Often 70–110 m | Average trajectory, a bit of rolling |
| SW (Sand Wedge) | Often 50–90 m | Higher ball, less roll |
| LW (Lob Wedge) | Often 30–70 m | Very high trajectory, rapid stop |
These guidelines should be adjusted according to your swing, the ball lie, and the wind. A simple rule: if there's a lot of green ahead, use a club with a lower loft to let the ball roll; if there's little green, use a club with a higher loft to stop it quickly. To learn more about this choice, see our article. Which club to choose for golf approach shots.
The landing zone: the haunt of experienced players
Good players don't aim for the flag; they aim for the point where the ball should touch the ground. To choose your landing zone:
- look at the total distance to travel
- Imagine the expected ride depending on the chosen club
- Mentally place the ball on the green, then let it roll into the hole.
Expert advice: Imagine you're playing a slightly longer putt from your landing area rather than a wedge shot towards the hole: it immediately changes how you judge the swing.
Adjust your distance to the green conditions
- Green speed : a fast green makes the ball roll more, a slow green makes it roll less.
- Slope : an uphill approach slows the ball down, a downhill approach speeds it up.
- Ball lees : on fairway or short grass, the distance is predictable; in the rough, the ball often comes out shorter than expected.
These three factors combine: a fast downhill green often requires 10 to 15 % less distance compared to an identical shot on a flat green.
Distances to prioritize during training
The most useful distances for practice are: 20m, 30m, 40m, 50m, 60m, 80m and 100m. These are the levels that most often occur after a tee shot or coming out of the rough on a 9-hole course like the Belvédère.
Exercise 1 — the distance scale
Place three targets at 10, 20 and 30 m, then fire three balls at each target.
Exercise 2 — One club, several distances
Take a single club (PW), play short swing, medium swing and long swing, note the distances obtained to build your own wedge matrix.
Exercise 3 — Approach + Putt
Play an approach shot then putt; score 2 points for a successful approach and putt, 1 point for two putts. This exercise replicates the real pressure of the course.
How to measure your distances without tracking equipment
You don't need a ball launcher to establish reliable reference points. On a standard driving range, count your steps between the starting point and where the ball comes to rest: an adult's step is on average about 0.75 meters, which provides a sufficiently accurate estimate for the short game. On the course, sprinkler heads, stakes 135 meters before the green, and fairway markers serve as fixed reference points for adjusting your distances on the volley.
Expert advice: Record your distances on a small card or in your phone's app after each practice session: the consistency of your reference points matters more than their absolute precision.
The effect of wind and altitude on your approach distances
Two external factors often disrupt an otherwise correct dosage:
| Postman | Effect on distance |
|---|---|
| Headwind | Reduces flight distance, take one more club |
| Tailwind | Increase the flight distance, use a club with less |
| Altitude (mountain route) | The ball travels slightly further in less dense air. |
On a course located in Haute-Savoie, between lake and mountains, the wind frequently changes direction from one hole to another: check it at each shot rather than relying on the wind felt at the tee.
Build your own wedge matrix in one season
The wedge matrix isn't a fixed chart to copy from the internet; it's a personal benchmark built up over several sessions. Start with a single wedge and a single swing length, noting the average distance over ten shots, then move on to the next swing length. Once you've calibrated all three swing lengths for that club, repeat the exercise with your second wedge. After a few weeks of regular practice, you'll have six to nine precise reference distances, far more useful on the course than generic averages found online.
Common mistakes in dosing approaches
Even with good reference points, certain automatic reactions can sabotage the timing when making the shot. Identifying them allows you to correct them quickly.
Avoid these four pitfalls: decelerating at impact for fear of overhitting, wanting to force distance instead of changing clubs, changing clubs with every ball without a stable reference point, and aiming only at the flag rather than a landing zone.
These errors share a common origin: the ball is treated as a power shot rather than a precision shot. Returning to the three-amplitude method is sufficient, in the vast majority of cases, to correct these automatic reactions.
Conclusion: Distance is your best lever for scoring.
Controlling the distance of approaches is one of the fastest ways to lower your score, much more so than power. drive. With three swing lengths, two or three reference clubs and a clear landing zone, you will quickly gain consistency around the green.
The best way to progress is to test these benchmarks under the guidance of a state-certified teacher: our private lessons at the Belvedere Golf School These tools allow you to build your own wedge matrix with personalized guidance. Practice your benchmarks on the driving range, then apply them on the course: you'll leave more short putts and save many more pars.
FAQ: Approach distance in golf: how to judge it correctly on the driving range and on the course
What is the distance of an approach shot in golf?
The distance of an approach shot in golf is most often between 20 and 100 meters from the green. The goal is to place the ball close to the flag to leave a playable putt.
At what point do we start talking about an approach shot and not a chip or pitch shot?
Chip: 0 to ~20 m (low shot, lots of roll). Pitch: ~10 to 40 m (higher ball, less roll). Approach: a general term, very common for ~20 to 100 m depending on the context.
Which approach distances should be prioritized?
The most useful training distances are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 and 100m. These are stages that are often repeated after a tee shot or a run out of the rough.
Which wedge should I choose depending on the approach distance?
Common reference points: PW for longer approaches (70–110 m), SW for intermediate approaches (50–90 m), LW for shorter and higher approaches (30–70 m). The choice also depends on the lie, the wind, and the desired roll.
How can you accurately determine your approach distances with each wedge?
Create a wedge matrix: take three wedge amplitudes (for example, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4) and note the average distance obtained for each wedge. This gives you simple guidelines for adjusting your swing without forcing it.
How to improve distance control on approaches?
Keep a constant tempo, vary the amplitude above all and not the force, aim for a landing point rather than the hole, and practice in sets (10 balls at 40m, then 10 at 60m, etc.).
