Punch It

I use the analogy of hitting a punch shot as a model for solid contact. The natural movement that even higher handicappers make when trying to replicate a punch shot is the shallow downward blow required to trap the ball between the ground and club face. When I discuss with students the various shots they hit throughout a round of golf I often identify that they are comfortable punching out of the trees. In fact that is usually the sole responsibility of their 4 iron. For anyone who flips the club through impact, scoops it, or "casts" the club, they should try to hit punch shots. When Phil Michelson described how he hits a punch shot in a 2011 interview he simply said, "I keep the club head low after impact." Keeping the club head low after impact requires that your hands move through the impact zone at or before the club head. Otherwise the club will flip up adding loft.

Take a look at this video of Mac O'Grady demonstrating a punch shot. Note how centered he stays during the back swing and how he moves toward the target (left) during the downswing. Also important to note is the length of the follow through. By shortening the follow through he decreases the amount of flipping action of the hands and keeps the club head low. This swing is certainly a valid shot for a lower trajectory ball flight. For the average golfer, practicing this shot will translate to better overall ball striking in the full swing.