Irons · Lesson
How to Hit a Low Punch Shot
Part of our irons programs. Build a program with it
Sometimes you need the ball to stay under branches or below the wind. That's the punch. Take one or two more clubs than normal. Play the ball back of center with your hands ahead of it. Lean a little weight onto your lead side. Make a three-quarter backswing with firm wrists. Then finish low, with the club pointing at your target. It's a shot worth owning.
Step by step
- Take one or two extra clubs.
- Ball back, hands ahead.
- A bit more weight forward.
- Three-quarter backswing, firm wrists.
- Finish low toward the target.
Why it works
Placing the ball back with your hands ahead and weight forward delofts the club at impact, so the ball launches lower. A shorter backswing with firm wrists and a low finish keeps the face from adding loft late in the swing. The extra club makes up for the distance lost to the lower launch and reduced swing length. Lower launch also means less spin and less height, so the ball spends less time exposed to wind.
Common mistakes
- You swing hard to make up for the shorter backswing.Take the extra club so you can swing at a normal pace and let the club do the work.
- You flip your wrists through impact and add loft.Keep your wrists firm and your hands ahead of the clubhead until after the ball is gone.
- You finish high and your weight falls back to your trail side.Hold a low finish with the club pointing at the target and your weight staying on your lead side.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts low and stays low through its whole flight, with a flatter peak than your normal shot.
- You strike the ball first and take a shallow divot after it, not before it.
- You can hold your finish in balance, with your chest facing the target and the club low.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice with a mid-iron on flat ground with no obstacle in front of you, and focus only on ball position and a low finish.
Harder: Hit the shot under a real or imagined low limb, or into a crosswind, and try to land the ball on a chosen spot.
Common questions
What club should I use for a punch shot?
Take one or two clubs more than the distance calls for, because the lower launch and shorter swing reduce carry. A 5-iron or 6-iron is a common choice, but pick the club that gets under the obstacle and still reaches your target.
Where should the ball be for a low punch shot?
Play it back of center in your stance, with your hands ahead of the ball at address. This delofts the club at impact and helps you hit the ball before the turf.
