Tap-in distance in golf is the distance from the cup to where you choose to finish your stroke. In golf, when a player is on the green, and their ball is within tap-in distance, they can choose whether or not they want to putt or tap it in. Generally, most players use their putter or wedge, sometimes even a mid-iron such as a 6-iron. You can utilize whichever club you are comfortable with. Once the player chooses to “tap in,” they will move their ball away from the hole and then mark it. The player then gets to add the score of one stroke to their total score.
What is a tap-in distance?
Tap-in distance in golf is the distance from the cup to where you choose to finish your stroke. This can vary greatly depending on what type of putter you use, but most golfers decide to finish their stroke about 2 1/2 feet away from the hole. Tap-in distance can be anywhere from 3 – 6 feet, and it’s measured by taking a straight line from where you’re standing at the address through your follow-through.
It comes to the player’s choice
In golf, when a player is on the green, and their ball is within tap-in distance, they can choose whether or not they want to putt or tap it in.
The correct putting tap-in distance varies based on the type of club you are using and the type of green you are playing on. The following criteria should be used to determine this distance:
- A putter – approximately three feet from your ball’s current location (to allow for a full swing without hitting other players)
- A wedge – approximately two feet from your ball’s current location (to allow for a full swing without hitting other players)
- An iron/mid-iron – approximately one foot from your ball’s current location
Are there tap-in clubs?
Generally, most players use their putter or wedge, sometimes even a mid-iron such as a 6-iron. You can utilize whichever club you are comfortable with.
The distance from the cup should be considered when choosing which club to use for your tap-in shot. If it is close enough to make it in one but not too close that you risk dropping it short of the hole and making a bogey instead of par (or worse), then go ahead and use your putter. Unless it is a gimme putt. If you are wondering what is a gimme in golf, it is a putt so short it is deemed unmissable.
If there are more than two feet between your ball and the hole, consider using either a sand wedge or pitching wedge instead of your putter—they will provide more loft for more distance on this kind of shot.
The slope of the green will also play into how far away from the cup you want to position yourself before striking the ball. If there’s a significant slope on the green where your ball landed after doing something stupid like missing an easy pitch shot or flubbing an approach shot, then using one of these clubs might give them enough height needed to avoid rolling off into oblivion once they land near their intended target zone.
Moving the ball and making the mark
Once the player chooses to “tap in,” they will move their ball away from the hole and then mark it. Once that is done, they should take a one-stroke penalty on their scorecard. This type of penalty is called a “penalty stroke.”
How do you score it?
Once the ball is in the cup, the player gets to add the score of one stroke to their total score. The player can choose to putt or tap-in, but they will only count for one stroke. If a player chooses to putt and misses, they will end up with two strokes on their card instead of one. The player should always choose the club they are most comfortable with when tapping in because it’s important not to hit the ball short or long; hitting it too close or far away from the hole will make things more difficult than necessary.
There are no rules when it comes to tap-in distances in golf.
The decision is left up to the individual golfer. You can tap it in or put it, use any club you want, and choose to make your approach from anywhere on the green (though you might need a different club if your ball is closer to one side than another). Regarding whether or not the flagstick should be removed from its hole before making your shot: we don’t recommend doing so because you risk losing distance off your shot by removing it.
Though there are no specific guidelines for tap-in distances in golf games, most players follow some system when approaching a short putt like this one—and that’s fine! But remember that every course will have its unique layout, so practice tapping into different surfaces before playing on competitive courses.
Conclusion
We’ve found that the “correct” distance for tap-ins varies depending on a couple of factors: how far you are from the hole when you hit the ball, how fast it’s moving, and what kind of green you’re playing on. If you’re really close and traveling fast, it’s best to go for it; if not, just put it in! There are no hard and fast rules about this situation, so we recommend making your judgment call based on these factors and your personal preferences about risk/reward ratios.
Author bio
Travis Dillard is a business consultant and an organizational psychologist based in Arlington, Texas. Passionate about marketing, social networks, and business in general. In his spare time, he writes a lot about new business strategies and digital marketing for Life&Style Hub