Punch Shot

Golf Swing Tips - How to Hit a Punch Shot For Duffers
by Wayne Hudler

Learn the secrets to one of the most versatile shots a golfer can know. Use this special shot to gain an advantage over your playing partners and lower your handicap. Uncover the hidden mysteries to the knockdown shot and you'll know how to keep the ball low when the lie or conditions demand it.

Have you ever faced a shot into the wind, from the woods or where the length of the swing is limited? Most of us duffers have faced these shots at one time or another.

The key to getting the most from such situations is to keep the ball's trajectory low while still getting the desired distance. What is needed is the punch shot.

Dooley Duffer was known for his high iron shots. He would even hit his long irons higher than most hit their mid-irons. Truth was that was the only shot he knew how to hit. He was unable to flight the ball low when necessary and that cost him so many extra strokes in windy conditions and especially amongst the trees.

The punch or knockdown shot is one that flies lower and runs out more than a normal shot with the same club. The swing is shorter than a normal swing, usually back to about the nine o'clock position then through to the three o'clock position.

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A number of situations lend themselves to this type of shot.

A few are identified below:

To keep the trajectory of the shot down lower than normal
To have better distance control
To decrease the amount of spin on the ball
The back swing or follow-through are obstructed in some way
To reach an elevated green
Windy conditions.
Wet, muddy lies
Overhanging trees

Dooley now uses the punch shot on occasion with good success.

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

One design feature at our home course is the placement of large oak trees to protect the corners of the dog legs. They appear on the 1st, 7th, 8th, 9th and 15th.

The 9th hole is one of the toughest where the approach shot is protected by a huge oak tree just right of the fairway. If the second shot is not placed carefully to the left side of the fairway then this tree is an obstacle to the uphill green. Seems that tree is some kind of ball magnet and we all have ended up being forced to deal with it.

Dooley uses a punch shot to keep the ball under the tree and get it to run up the hill to the green. It is uncanny how well he plays this shot. He says one key to make the ball run out is to roll his back hand over his front hand. This imparts a great deal of top spin causing the ball to roll more once it hits the ground.

Here are the simple steps to help you uncover the mystery of the punch shot.

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Choose plenty of club
Set your feet shoulder width apart
Play the ball back in your stance an inch or two.
Hands ahead of the ball at address
Shorten your back swing to between 9 to 11 o'clock.
Strike down and through the ball.
Maintain the wrist cock in right hand through the shot.
Follow through to between 5 to 3 o'clock.

It will take some time and practice to gauge how far a punch will carry and roll. As with any shot you will need to adjust clubs for the conditions of the day.

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Many golfers prefer the punch/knockdown shot when playing to a specific distance or when they find themselves between clubs.

Double D says that once you master this essential and versatile shot, you will be shocked how many shots you will take off your scores and handicap.

Find your golf swing help here: Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Wayne Hudler is an avid golfer of over 30 years and golf writer. He has been recognized as an expert by the leading online article directory.

Dooley Duffer Golf is devoted to helping ordinary golfers (duffers) improve. Are you a duffer? Visit Dooley Duffer Golf where you will find an ever growing collection of improvement resources.

www.DooleyDuffer.com

Contact Dooley: dooley@dooleyduffer.com