Making the Tough Shots - Knock Down/Punch Shot

By Kevin Kirk
Senior Director of Instruction
The Woodlands Performance Center

As golfers, we are trying to control three ball flight variables

• Distance
• Direction
• Trajectory

The knock down/punch shot is a shot played at a lower trajectory than normal and usually used in one of three distinct situations.
1) Playing into the wind.
2) Playing a shot designed to land short and roll up.
3) Playing a shot to get out of trouble.

There are two basic techniques that can successfully create a shot with low trajectory. Either technique will work with practice, although most golf instructors would encourage you to consider using Technique One when possible, due to the fact that it is simple, predictable, and requires less effort and change from your normal swing. Both techniques should be developed and practiced before you attempt them during play or competition.

Technique One – Reduced Club Head Speed
Technique one uses reduced club head speed and reduced loft to lower the ball flight. The following example illustrates this technique.

Problem: Bob the Golfer is confronted with a shot of 150 yards. From a good lie, in ideal conditions, Bob normally uses a full swing 7 Iron. In this particular situation, the wind is gusting in Bob’s face, so he wants to play a lower trajectory shot that will penetrate the wind.

Solution: Bob should do the following

• Position the ball in the center of his stance.
• Select a 5-6 Iron
• Use ½ to ¾ of a normal backswing
• Swing the club forward to a full finish

Using this technique, Bob is allowing the reduced club head speed and reduced loft to lower the shot trajectory instead of fighting the club and challenging the swing.

Technique Two – Altering the Starting Position
Technique two requires the golfer to alter the starting position and swing to create the impact conditions necessary for a lower shot trajectory. The following example illustrates technique two.
Problem: Bob is facing the same 150 year shot into the wind, this time however the ball is in a lie that requires a steeper angle of attack to hit the ball cleanly. Examples of this shot would be when the ball is sitting down in the rough or in a divot.

Solution: Bob should do the following

• Position the ball in the back half of the stance
• Place 60% of his weight on the lead foot at address
• Select a 6 or 7 iron
• Use ¾ of his normal backswing length
• Keep his weight in his lead food throughout the swing.

Using this technique, Bob uses the altered starting position and weight distribution to allow a steeper angle of attack during the swing, resulting in the impact conditions necessary to create the lower trajectory ball flight. (Note that in many cases the post swing impact portion of the swing is greatly reduced due to the ground interrupting the motion of the club.

Always remember, if you need assistance on your golf swing, tough lies, or any other aspect of your game, there are many excellent golf instructors who would be more than willing to work with you. Please don’t hesitate to contact them.

The Woodlands Performance Center
Houston
281-863-1424

Canongate Performance Centers
Atlanta
770-880-0788