Laying Up (Going for the Green vs Laying Up)
Also known as: lay up, when to lay up, should I lay up, layup shot, go for the green, going for the green in two, risk reward shot, lay up yardage
Lay up when going for the green brings big trouble into play and you rarely reach it from that distance. Hit to your favorite full-wedge distance on the safe side of the fairway instead. Go for it when a miss still leaves an easy recovery or the reward clearly outweighs the risk.
Weigh three things before a long approach. First, how often do you really reach the green from this distance? Second, what does a typical miss cost? Third, what does the layup leave you? Water short of the green or out of bounds beside it means a miss costs at least a stroke. A wide green with grass around it makes going for it cheap.
If you lay up, choose the yardage, not just the club. For many golfers a full wedge is easier to control than a half-swing pitch. Pick the distance you like best and play to the side that gives a clear angle to the flag. Avoid laying up into a fairway bunker or a sidehill lie.
Being closer to the hole usually helps. Going for it is the right call when the miss is safe. When a miss brings penalty strokes, the shorter shot is worth less than it seems. Match play changes the math. A rival already in trouble is a reason to play safe, and a rival safely on the green is a reason to take more risk. Decide before you pull the club and commit to the choice.
Tips by skill level
If water or out of bounds guards the green and you need your best shot to reach it, lay up. Hit a club you trust to your favorite wedge distance.
Track how close you hit it from different layup yardages. Many players find one full-wedge number gives their best chance. Make that your default layup target.
Example
On a par 5 with a pond in front of the green, a golfer 230 yards out has hit that green from there once all season. He lays up to 100 yards, his best wedge distance, then pitches to 12 feet.
Why it matters
Many big numbers come from forcing a low-percentage shot over trouble. A planned layup often turns a possible double bogey into a likely par or bogey.
Common mistakes
- Laying up to an awkward half-wedge distance
- Going for the green with a club you rarely hit well
- Laying up into a fairway bunker or the wrong side of the fairway
- Changing your mind over the ball instead of committing
Frequently asked questions
When should I lay up in golf?
Lay up when trouble guards the green and you rarely hit that green from your distance. Leave yourself a full wedge from the fairway instead.
Should I go for the green in two on a par 5?
Go for it if a miss leaves an easy chip or bunker shot and you can reach with a club you hit well. Lay up if water, out of bounds or deep trouble punishes a miss.
How far should I lay up?
To your favorite full-wedge distance, on the side of the fairway with the best angle to the flag. Avoid leaving an awkward half shot.
Related terms
- Course ManagementCourse management is your strategy for where to aim, which club to hit, and how to play each hole. The goal is to limit risk and score well for your skill level.
- Good MissA good miss is the preferred side to miss on a given shot. It is the direction or spot where an error leaves the easiest recovery or does the least damage.
- Club SelectionClub selection is picking the right club for each shot from real carry distance, lie, wind, elevation, and hazard placement. It is one of the biggest scoring decisions.
- Approach ShotAn approach shot is any shot hit toward the green to reach or set up the putting surface. It is usually a par 4's second shot, or a par 5's second or third.
- Par-3 and Par-5 StrategyOn a par 3, pick the club that reaches the middle of the green rather than the flag, and aim away from short-sided misses. On a par 5, plan backward from your favorite wedge distance and keep the ball in play. Three solid shots usually beat forcing a long second.
- Double Bogey and Blow-Up HolesA double bogey is two strokes over par on a hole. A "blow-up hole" is the casual term for any hole that goes much worse than that. Limiting them is usually a beginner's single biggest lever for a lower score.
Related guides & benchmarks
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