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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of approach shot

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

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

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

He had been having a little hockey practice by himself in the rough, and was now preparing to play an approach shot across the pond.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, December 12, 1917 by Various