approach shot
Americannoun
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Tennis. a hard, forcing shot usually made deep into the opponent's court, allowing the player to move in toward the net for an offensive volley.
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Golf. approach.
noun
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Also called: approach. golf a shot made to or towards the green after a tee shot
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tennis a deep drive, usually hit with slice to keep the ball low, designed to enable the player to make an approach to the net
Etymology
Origin of approach shot
First recorded in 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Englishman, who made the winning putt at last year's Ryder Cup, holed his approach shot on the 17th for an eagle before adding a birdie on the final green.
From Barron's ● Jan. 23, 2026
And just after that, Henley put his approach shot on 18 to about 10 feet of the pin.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2025
Rory McIlroy lets his frustration with the crowd show before hitting a brilliant approach shot on the 16th to help seal his foursomes match with partner Tommy Fleetwood on day two of the Ryder Cup.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2025
His approach shot on the par-five seventh landed in a greenside bunker, but he chipped to 14 feet and made the birdie putt to move to one under.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2024
When this shot is once mastered, it will be found that these are very valuable peculiarities, for a long approach shot can be gauged with splendid accuracy.
From The Complete Golfer by Vardon, Harry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
