Lay Up
Common Phrases
Explained Simply
Intentionally hitting a shorter shot to land in a safe, favorable position rather than going for the green or carrying a hazard you might not clear.
Example
“There's a pond 220 yards away and your green is 270 yards. You lay up to 100 yards short of the water, leaving a full wedge into the green.”
Why it matters
Laying up is smart course management — choosing a guaranteed good position over a risky shot that might end in a hazard. Beginners who lay up make more pars than those who 'go for it.'
Common beginner mistake
Viewing a lay-up as giving up. The correct lay-up to a perfect yardage is an aggressive, strategic decision.
Related
beginner
Common Phrases
Related
- Carry DistanceHow far the ball travels through the air before it first hits the ground. Does not include rollout after landing.
- Penalty Area (Hazard)An area on the course (marked red or yellow stakes) where special penalty rules apply if your ball lands there — usually bodies of water but can include other areas.
- FairwayThe short-mowed strip of grass between the tee box and the green. This is where you want your ball to land.