knock down shots

so i've learned to hit a pretty good knock down shot but im struggling figuring out which club to use for what distances. I usually hit my 6 iron a little over 200, when I want to run one in there and let it release on the green, what club should i use?

should i club up or down?

Im delofting it so my mind goes to club up.. using a 7 and its not just a 5 iron choked up.

How do you guys determine what club to use for what distances?

Also do you swing with the same swing speed or slow it down depending on which club you use?

just like any other shot in golf...the distance and feel for each club is something you have to practice and learn for the knockdown.

Me..I know how far my knockdown 5 iron goes..and I base it all off of that.

If you hit your 6 iron 200+ yards, with that kind of clubhead speed, just aim for the tree and drive the ball through it. They're 90% air anyway...........

For me, a knock down is a little choked up, a little further back in the stance, and a 2/3 - 3/4 swing with a sawed-off finish. It is shorter, and has a lower trajectory than a normal shot.

eg: My stock 8i is 155. So, if I have 140 into a headwind where a full 9i would balloon and not get there, I'll hit a knock-down 8i.

btw, that's a heck of a 6i

Same here.  I don't practice it often enough, so I only use it in strong headwinds when you know no matter what club you use, its going to balloon.

It's always a club up situation for the exact same reasons dak mentioned.  And it's also always a matter of feel and wind strength, but it seems to usually be a couple clubs for me.  130 yd 8 iron instead of PW, for example.

This shot is the new frontier for myself. Not so much a knockdown...but a lower trajectory punch style shot. For the most part, I seem to be getting about 80-85% of what my normal full swing distance is. It's come in very handy on tight fairways when I don't need a ton of distance, but need more accuracy.

Hitting the knock down shot is fun... I use it frequently when I'm in trouble (low hanging branches).  But as others have said - I'll also lean on it when it is blowing in my face.  If it's blowing - you'll need to club up... Not down.

Knockdown shot, usually goes about half to a full club length shorter than my full shot.