How to Punch the Ball Low And Short

Learn how to effectively hit and use the punch shot on the golf course.

The punch shot is a variation of the bump and run but usually used to play the ball out of a trouble spot. It is regarded as a save shot when the ball misses the fairway or green and is nestled between trees with low hanging branches, brush or any other obstacle that prohibit a higher ball flight. The punch shot is a low shot that is intended to keep the ball very low to skirt underneath trouble to either put the ball back into the fairway or onto the green. The punch is so low that the ball should not exceed 20 feet in height at its highest point. A punched ball rolls quite easily when it lands. This is because of its low penetrating ball flight. The punch is also a short distance play. In the best cases, a ball can be punched as far as 160 yards. -with lots of uncontrolled roll.

Most players frown upon hitting the punch for a couple of reasons. First, it is an indication of a poor drive or approach shot that ended up in the trees which affects the mental side of the game. Punching out puts pressure on players as the likelihood of bogey or worse from a poor position is looming. Second, the punch swing carries with it a higher degree of difficulty to pull off which is why it is a challenging shot especially when trying to punch the ball onto the green and get the ball close.

Why Punch the Ball?
The punch can be a vital shot to save par or even eke out a birdie from a wayward ball lie. In most cases, hitting the punch can save additional strokes by getting the ball out of trouble. A bogey isn't a bad score when the ball has ended in trouble. The punch allows a play underneath trouble. The alternative would be to try to hit over trouble or through it. Failing to pull something like that off may result in the ball remaining in the same spot or even finding worse trouble. Double and triple bogeys or worse then become a reality.

To escape trouble and punch the ball back into play use the following tips:

Club Selection
The goal of the punch shot is to keep the ball low to allow it to clear obstacles. Logically, a lower lofted club should be selected to encourage a lower ball flight. Abandon the short irons and wedges when considering club selection. Go with your long irons or middle irons. Give preference to the 4 or 5 irons. -Even on very short range shots! Understand that the primary objective when hitting the punch is to escape trouble by keeping the ball low and to run it up on the fairway or green so the 4 or 5 iron is an excellent choice to accomplish that.

Controlling distance with a punch swing is a matter of swing length. To punch a ball 30-50 yards with a 5-iron, for instance, swing to hip high in the backswing or about 25%. To punch upwards to 160 yards with a 5-iron, swing back halfway or 50% or full. Practice with different long and middle irons with different swing lengths to get a feel for the distances the ball will travel so that on the golf course you will have a reasonable expectation of the distances gained.

Set Up to Hit a Punch Shot
To hit the punch, there is little to do by way of setting up. Set up to the ball like a normal shot. Choke down on the handle a bit to gain a little more control during the swing. Play the ball back in the stance and swing through the shot like normal, except that you don't want to make a full swing in this situation. Playing the ball back in the stance further encourages a lower ball flight. Make sure to put the ball back or else the risk of popping the ball high into the obstacle increases.

The Punch Swing
The primary swing thought through the punch swing should be to keep the wrists stable. In a normal swing, the hinging and unhinging of the wrists is natural. However, in the punch swing, you must consciously prevent wrist action. The result of wrist action during a swing is backspin which causes the ball to rise into the air. You want very little backspin on the punch shot so keep the wrist very quiet throughout the swing.

In the through swing after the ball is impacted, abruptly halt the swing and finish low. A low finish position will promote a low ball flight which is what the punch is all about.

The Punch Shot