The punch shot is something which we have all heard golf commentators refer to when watching the big tournaments on television but what exactly does it mean, what are the benefits and how do you play it?
The punch shot, is a low, penetrating shot, usually played as an approach shot towards the green when there is strong wind or an obstacle, such as tree branches, hanging over head. The ball will fly low and thus, cuts through wind more easily and with less spin, than a more lofted shot. Furthermore, on greens with a nice open front, a punch shot may be the better play, rather than a standard pitch shot, especially if your swing mechanics have been letting you down during the round.
Punch shots are often considered to be the realm of the advanced golfer and they can be tricky to master. However, with plenty of practice, the punch shot is a great addition to your options.
Let’s say for example, the wind is causing trouble with high lofted shots and whereas you would usually select an 8 iron for your approach shot, you are going to play a punch shot instead. Therefore, put the 8 iron back in the bag and choose either a 5 or 6 iron, whichever you are more comfortable using.
Using a right-handed player for the example, you will need to make sure about 60% of your weight is on your front foot, which would be the left in this case and the ball is slightly back in your stance. The importance of this set-up position, is that it will help to keep the flight of the ball low, as your weight will not be behind the shot.
During the back-swing, make sure you maintain the weight balance you had at set-up, as much as possible. This is different to a normal swing and why the punch shot requires plenty of practice but try and swing back more with your arms and hands and do not transfer your weight during the swing. The back-swing needs to be slightly shorter than usual, with the hands reaching about shoulder height. Again, the more you practice the shot, the more feel you will have for exactly where to end the back-swing and transfer into the down-swing.
Do not force the contact with the ball. Despite the shot being called a punch shot, you still need to take a nice easy swing and thing about pushing the ball forwards with the club, continuing with your follow through. If you swing the club too hard, the ball will go higher and that’s the last thing you want when playing this shot.
You will want to have a short follow through after contacting the ball, but you need to remain balanced. The follow through should be anywhere between parallel with the shoulders and 90 degrees from contact with the ball.
Try practicing this shot before you play your next round of golf and work on your technique, until it feels good and balanced, with the desired outcome being a low punch shot. Then, when the wind picks up or you are in a spot of bother with an obstacle troubling your swing, you can deliver a great punch shot.
