What Is The Most Important Shot In Golf? 

The most important shot in golf is debated quite intensely among great players. Some golfers believe it is the tee shot, while others say the approach shots and short game, specifically putting, is the most important. Although I can see the arguments for both sides, I tend to agree with the tee shot being the most important. Let’s take a look at why the tee shot is the most important and some ways you can work on the tee shot.

The most important shot in golf - Tee shot

The most important golf shot is the tee shot. With a tee shot that is hit in the fairway, you can then play the rest of your hole from a better position, set yourself up for a lower score, and have a stronger mental game.

With a tee shot that is out of bounds, or in the rough, or behind a tree, it becomes impossible to score. Although putting is extremely important, most players want to hit a putt for a three and not a seven.

This concept of the tee shot being incredibly important does not just apply to hitting a driver off a tee but also the tee shot on a par 3 as well.

Why the tee shot matters

The golf tee shot sets up the rest of your hole and the rest of your round. If you stand on the first tee box at a golf course and hit three golf balls out of bounds, chances are you are not going to have your best round. However, if you stand on the tee and crack your drive straight down the middle, it gives you confidence in your game to pull you through the rest of the round.

The golf tee shot will also set you up for your approach shot. When hitting the approach shot from a great location, your chance of getting it close to the hole is significantly increased. If your approach shot is easier to hit, it will likely land close to the hole resulting in a shorter putt.

As you can see, this sequence of events that leads to a lower score and easier hole all stems from the tee shot.

How to hit better tee shots 

Golfers that struggle with a great tee shot need to consider quite a few things before they tee off. Try to keep in mind that you do not need to use your driver on every tee box; in fact, it may be best to change things up and hit a hybrid or a 5 wood from time to time. Here are a few of our best tips for hitting better tee shots.

• Check where the trouble is and where's the best landing spot. Aim carefully and accurately according to your strategy
• Improve your course management - don’t aim away from the fairway just because of trouble; you will want to be rewarded for your good shots
• It is more important for a tee shot to be straight than to be long
• When practicing tee shots on the driving range, hit one good one at a time, don’t hit 15 drives in a row; that is not the way the golf course works
• Try to keep swing thoughts to a minimum; limit yourself to one or maximum two
• Plan out the hole in your head before you swing; this will lead to more consistency and a stronger mental game

Second most important golf shot - approach shot

I can't completely decide if the tee shot is the most important shot, or if it's the second most important. But let's leave it this way and mark approach shots the second most important. Approach shots, especially when you are 130 yards and closer, are also a deal breaker.

The first condition to a good game of golf is of course hitting a fairway, but the you need to do something with a great tee shot. I see a lot of golfers hitting driver straight to the fairway and then miss the whole green from 60 yards with a sand wedge.

So keep in mind that all the shots are important in golf, but if you need to start somewhere, start with tee shots and then with approach shots and short game.

Conclusion

Despite tee shot is the most important golf shot you need to master, make sure you practice short game and approach shots too. If you play on golf courses where fairways are wide or there's not a lot of trees or water, you will find out that approach shots are even more important than tee shots. 

Very important - practice from different distance because most times approach shots are missed because of distance and not because of direction 😉