<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-16</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000943861</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GDP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001007813</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GOODRICH WALTER G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice Chairman and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>23700</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>3</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>401994</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Grant of Put Option (Obligation to Buy Common Stock)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>2.05</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2003-12-29</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2004-01-05</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>8750</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Call Option (Right to Buy Common Stock)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>2.05</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-01-06</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2004-01-12</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>17500</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Grant of Put Option (Obligation to Buy Common Stock)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>2.05</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-03-29</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2004-04-02</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>26250</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Call Option (Right to Buy Common Stock)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>2.05</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-04-05</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2004-04-09</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>35000</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Grant of Put Option (Obligation to Buy Common Stock)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>2.05</value>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-06-28</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2004-07-02</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>43750</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Call Option (Right to Buy Common Stock)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>2.05</value>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-07-06</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2004-07-12</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>8750</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>52500</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The  purchase price per  share of  Common  Stock will  equal the greater of (i) $2.05 and (ii) the  lesser of 90% of (A) the  Volume  Weighted  Average Price (as defined below) for the twenty trading days immediately  preceding December 29, 2003 and (B) $4.50.  &quot;Volume  Weighted  Average  Price&quot; means, during the relevant  period,  the quotient of (x) the aggregate  sale price for all  shares of Common  Stock  traded  on the New York  Stock  Exchange, divided by (y) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The purchase  price per share of Common Stock will equal the greater of (i) $2.05 and (ii) the lesser of 90% of (A) the Volume  Weighted  Average Price for the twenty trading days  immediately  preceding  March 29, 2004 and (B) $4.50.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The purchase  price per share of Common Stock will equal the greater of (i) $2.05 and (ii) the lesser of 90% of (A) the Volume  Weighted  Average Price for the twenty trading days  immediately  preceding  June 28, 2004 and (B) $4.50.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">In May 2003, Mr. Goodrich entered into a purchase agreement  under which he may elect to  purchase,  or may be required to  purchase,  shares of Common Stock as described in Table II.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Walter G. Goodrich</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

