This Common Golf Shot Is Almost Impossible For Some Amateurs... Here's What You Should Do Instead

When faced with a difficult shot on the golf course, like being stuck behind a tree or chipping off a downhill lie with a green that runs away from you, many amateur golfers conjure some often unearned bravery and take the shot on.

But, what if I told you that one of the toughest shots in golf to execute could actually be played from the middle of the fairway?

According to the latest Shot Scope data, the success rate of amateur golfers hitting the green with approach shots from over 200 yards out is scarily low... and for some, it's almost impossible!

This Common Golf Shot Is Almost Impossible For Some Amateurs

I would wager that, for most golfers, taking on an approach shot from over 200 yards is not uncommon - in fact, I do it myself all the time.

There is usually a nagging feeling of uncertainty over my decision, and a constant sense of doubt about my ability to hit the green from that sort of distance, but I will still pull the head cover off my fairway wood and give it a crack.

However, after analysing the latest Shot Scope data, perhaps it's time for an urgent change of strategy.

When attempting an approach shot from over 200 yards out, irrespective of how close they hit it to the pin, the average scratch golfer hits the green just 14% of the time.

That figure drastically drops off when compared to a 5-handicapper (5%) and 10-handicapper (4%) - meaning that the average success rate for an amateur golfer with a low handicap index of 10 or less is just over 7%.

As we move into the realms of a mid- to high-handicapper, however, the picture turns very bleak.

A 15-handicap golfer hits the green with an approach shot of over 200 yards just 2% of the time on average, while the success rate of a 20-handicapper is just 1%.

According to the data, it's almost impossible for a player with a 25-handicap or higher to execute this shot, with a success rate of less than 1%.

This Is What You Should Do Instead

Obviously, this is an average and some higher-handicap golfers will have fond memories of hitting the ball dead straight to the middle of the green from miles away - but, the numbers do not lie.

Rather than fondly fantasising about that one time you hit the green from 201 yards, downhill with a strong assist from the helping wind, now is the time to evaluate your strategy when faced with this type of shot.

After all, the average amateur golfer has a less than 5% chance of hitting the green from over 200 yards out, but when inside 100 yards that number shoots up to 54%.

A little course management and a realistic attitude could go a long way to improving the scores on the card - so stop forcing it and play sensible golf.

The scoring average on par-5s for amateur golfers with a handicap of 15 or higher is six, so why not take that extra shot to get to the green, make your nett par and avoid the risk of bringing huge numbers into play.