How to hit a punch shot when you need it
Golfers often encounter situations on the course where they need to hit a low shot to avoid obstacles, the wind, or to control the ball flight. In these cases, the punch shot can be a valuable shot to have in your arsenal. A punch shot is a low-trajectory shot that rolls out farther than it flies. Here are some tips on how to hit a punch shot when you need it.
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Club Selection Choose a club with less loft than you would typically use for the shot. A 6 or 7 iron is a good choice for most golfers.
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Ball Position Place the ball in the middle of your stance or slightly back. This promotes a more downward strike and reduces the ball's height.
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Shorten Your Backswing A shorter backswing will help you keep the ball flight lower. Take the club back only three-quarters of the way.
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Hands Ahead of the Ball Keep your hands slightly ahead of the ball at impact. This helps you hit down on the ball and achieve a lower ball flight.
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Finish Low Swing through the ball with a shorter follow-through, finishing low. This helps you maintain control and keeps the ball flight low.
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Practice Practice hitting punch shots on the range or in a practice round. Get comfortable with the technique, and you'll have confidence when you need it on the course.
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Experiment with Shot Shapes Once you've mastered the basic punch shot, experiment with shot shapes. You can use the punch shot to hit a draw or fade. Play with ball position and clubface angle to create different shots.
The punch shot is a valuable shot to have in your bag, especially when you need to hit a low shot. Practice the technique, experiment with shot shapes, and you'll be ready to hit a punch shot when you need it on the course.
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