approach shot

American  

noun

1. 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.

2. Golf. approach.

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approach shot British  

noun

1. Also called: approach.  golf a shot made to or towards the green after a tee shot

2. 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

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Etymology

Origin of approach shot

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

approach shot

Of course, with the title at his fingertips, McIlroy baited the golfing gods on the final hole when he launched a drive into the trees and plunked his approach shot into a bunker.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

England's Tommy Fleetwood shot a four-under-par 67 to finish joint-seventh on 12-under, which included a slam dunk eagle with his approach shot on 15 from 173 yards out.

From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2026

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

Scheffler’s troubles started on the par-4 second, where his approach shot landed deep in the rough to the left of the green.

From Seattle Times ● May 18, 2024

We play what we shall consider a perfect approach shot to our Plaza de Toros hole.

From The Happy Golfer Being Some Experiences, Reflections, and a Few Deductions of a Wandering Golfer by Leach, Henry