Tips On How To Punch A Low Golf Shot Under Trees

One of several significant elements of golf is the number of atypical situations we cope with during only one round of golf, and the more resources we are able to put into operation to get out of the sticky situations with a minimum of harm may perhaps be the difference of 5 or 6, or more, strokes in our handicap. One of those sticky situations we always come upon is when we must punch a low golf shot under trees.

There are always many ways to free you from this situation, and at times the prudent tactic, to merely get the ball back on the fairway, is the most effective way. Determined by how the ball lies, where additional hazards can be found, and just how much room underneath the tree you have to work with, sometimes it’s just better to take your medicine and go the prudent way. But to hit the low golf shot underneath trees, or I term it the punch shot, can frequently get you out of difficulty without sacrificing yardage.

My opening morsel of advice regarding tips on how to punch a low golf shot under trees, and this goes opposite to what some people think, is not to position the ball well back in the stance. It’s true that you want to deloft the club, and positioning the ball back will achieve that, but you also prefer to put minor or no backspin on the ball. You'll produce backspin if you hit the ball on a downward arch, and that is certainly what you will do if the ball is back. Instead, in an effort to punch a low golf shot under trees, do this:

1. Over club by no less than two. You'll be taking an abbreviated swing, and you want less loft and therefore less height on the ball.

2. Position the ball in the center of your stance.

3. Choke down on the club, only a little.

4. Flatten the swing, taking the club back low and don’t hinge the wrists.

5. Keep the hands well ahead of the ball at impact, giving you a delofted club head.

6. Conclude with the club head low and again not hinging the wrists.

7. Swing slow and easy, concentrating on making solid contact to the ball.

I describe it a “punch shot”, as to me I have the feeling of simply punching the ball low, keeping it just off the ground, and then getting yardage from the roll. As stated previously, the quality of the lie will govern if I try this shot. If I can’t get my entire clubface on the ball, it’s too risky to attempt. Additionally, if the area where I hope to generate roll from is very wet and won’t yield much roll, the risk/reward of the shot could possibly be too high.

A great little driving range drill is to stand your golf bag up approximately four or five feet in front of you, and try to punch balls through the legs and underneath the bag. If you keep hitting the bag, cut down on the speed of your swing. Under the appropriate circumstances, this can be a usable shot to own on the golf course. No matter what your level of play, there will be times when it will be beneficial to understand how to punch a low golf shot under trees.

By: Sean OKelly

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For more information on golf in general, click HERE, and for some excellent information on improving your short game, click HERE.  Sean O’Kelly is a writer living in London, and has been playing and studying the game of golf for many years.