3 Of The Smartest Shots In Golf (And When To Use Them)

Updated for 2026 with new data and reader tips.

We've all heard enough about the worst decisions in golf: hero shots from the trees, short-sided misses, endless attempts to fly a wedge to tucked pins.

But what about the smart shots?

Let's flip the script.

Smart shots don't always make the highlight reel but they do show up on the scorecard. They save strokes, maintain momentum and prevent the proverbial snowman on the scorecard.

Here are three of the smartest shots in golf.

The putt from off the green

Most amateurs instinctively reach for a wedge when they're just off the green. While that hero chip is fun to hit, the safe play is a putt.

Arccos data backs this up for most golfers. With 5 to 15 feet of short grass to putt through, mid and high handicappers score about 0.10 strokes better with a putter, and with 15 to 25 feet the edge grows to about 0.15 to 0.25 strokes.

Their worst putts also finish 3 to 6 feet closer than their worst chips. Lower handicappers have more options and tend to do a little better with chipping than putting on some of the longer shots.

Use it when:

• There are no obstacles between you and the hole.
• You want to avoid chunking, blading or guessing rollout.
• The ball sits cleanly and the grass between you and the hole is short and smooth, not into the grain.

I'd also recommend practicing it. I never worked on this shot and the first few times I used it didn't feel all that "smart." You have to get used to the way the ball rolls off the fringe and how that will impact the speed of the putt.

There are times to leave the putter in the bag. Long or bumpy grass, or grain running against you, can make the ball hard to control, so learn to spot those lies before you reach for it.

The punch-out back to the fairway

You know the situation. You've found the trees off the tee. You have two options: the safe one out to the fairway or the dangerous one between the trees. Smart players hit a simple punch that advances the ball back to the fairway.

However, if you get good at this shot and you choose the right club, you may be able to angle it just right so that you still get some distance.

The punch-out isn't a bailout; it's strategic. It's what tour players do when they don't have a shot. If you watch them, you'll see they try to run one up to a yardage they are comfortable with. Practice this shot on the range with different clubs like a 7-, 6- and 5-iron and see the different flights and run-outs you get.

The middle-of-the-green approach

Most amateurs fire at the flag, and even from 50 to 75 yards the most common miss is short (see What's The Right Way To Lay Up?). Shot Scope data shows about 72 percent of the hazards around a green sit at the front, and only 28 percent sit at the back, so a miss long often costs less than a miss short.

Smart players pick the club that carries the front edge, aim for the center of the green and let the putt come to them. A 25-footer is a better place to be than a chip out of a front bunker, and even a slightly thin or fat shot can still finish on the green.

Use it when:

• The pin is tucked behind a bunker, water or a false front.
• You tend to miss short, or you're not sure of your yardage.
• You'd rather have a putt than a recovery shot.

Skip it when there's trouble behind the green, like water or out of bounds, or the pin sits on a back ledge.

Final thoughts

Try incorporating a few smarter shots into your next round and see how it impacts your score. They might not be the most memorable swings of the day but your scorecard should reflect the difference.