Updated for 2026 with new data and tips for readers.
We’ve all heard that enough worse decisions in golf: hero shots from the trees, short-sided misses, endless attempts to fly a wedge to tucked pins.
But what about the intelligent hit?
Flip the script.
Smart shots don’t always make the top reel, but they do to do appear on the scorecard. They save shots, keep momentum and prevent the proverbial snowman on the scorecard.
Here are three of the smartest shots in golf.
The putt from the green
Most golfers instinctively reach for a wedge when they are just off the green. While the hero chip is fun to hit, the safe play is a putt.
Arccos data supports this 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 increases to about 0.15 to 0.25 strokes.
His worst putts also end up 3 to 6 feet closer than his 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 when:
- There are no obstacles between you and the hole.
- You want to avoid hitting, lame or guessing rollout.
- The ball sits clean and the grass between you and the hole is short and smooth, not in the corn.
I also recommend practicing. I’ve never worked on this shot and the first few times I used it it didn’t feel all that “clever”. You have to get used to the way the ball comes 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 that runs against you, can make the ball difficult to control, so learn to spot those lies before you get there.
The punch-out returns to the fairway
You know the situation. You found the trees off the tee. You have two options: the safe one on the fairway or the dangerous one between the trees. Smart players hit a simple punch that moves the ball back to the fairway.
However, if you are good at this shot and you choose the right club, you may be able to angle just right so that you always get some distance.
The punch-out is not a bailout; it is strategic. That’s what tour players do when they don’t have a shot. If you watch them, you will see that they try to run one up to a yardage that 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 have.
The average green approach
Most amateurs shoot at the flag, and even from 50 to 75 yards the most common miss is short (see What is the right way to put it?). Shot Scope data shows about 72 percent of hazards around a green sit in front, and only 28 percent sit on the back, so a long miss often costs less than a short miss.
Smart players choose the club that carries the front tip, 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 from a front bunker, and even a slightly lean or fat shot can still end up on the green.
Use when:
- The pin is closed behind a bunker, water or a false front.
- You tend to miss short, or you are not sure of your yardage.
- I prefer a putt to a recovery shot.
Jump when there are problems behind the green, such as water or out of bounds, or pin is on a back frame.
Final thoughts
Try incorporating a few smarter shots into your next round and see how it impacts your score. They may not be the most memorable swings of the day, but your scorecard should reflect the difference.
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The place 3 of the smartest shots in golf (and when to use them) appeared first MyGolfSpy.