Punch shots

[Mexicanleprican]

So, I may have mentioned this but I accidently stumbled on the punch shot while playing in windy conditions the other day. I want to know if this is the appropriate way to perform a punch shot. I typically hit the ball about a half inch behind my left foot, by mistake I put my foot about another inch ahead of the ball and it resulted in a punch shot. Is this the appropriate way to perform this shot?

[RC]

Some move the ball back for punches, but I use pretty much the same ball position but swing a stronger lofted club using something like a pitch/chip shot motion with lots of rotation through the shot and a low finish. I visualize the shot as one where the hands stay left of the club all the way through the finish, like a low, hold off. It is also a good way to take spin off the ball so you don't get the big pull backs spinning back to the front of the green. The shot might normally be a wedge, and I will hit a nine iron or even an eight as if I were hitting a pitch shot, just firmer. If I use the normal lofted club for the shot and try to drive it low through the wind, the spin is so high that controlling the landing is harder -- at least for me, plus sometimes the ball will climb too much and end up short.

Erik posted a "how to hit a pitch/chip shot" video on this sight. What I am describing is almost exactly like that video, just swinging harder with a club or two less than you would normally use. Try it, but hit a few on the range first.

[Mexicanleprican]

hmm I keep my hands ahead of my club all the way through till that point where my arms are straight. I am having trouble finding the video. My shots don't sail up or anything, I just really liked the way that shot cut through the wind. I too hit adhere to keeping the ball in the same position of my swing so I was wondering if there was a better way than moving it an inch back.

[iacas]

Stay in flexion. That'll keep the ball down.

[bkoguy07]

I move the ball back in my stance and then visualize a punching motion with the club, which is similar to a pitching stroke and hit the ball.

[soloredd]

I play it back as well, almost off my right big toe, and narrow my stance a little bit.

[bruce]

I used to play it back in my stance and three quarter back and through swing which resulted in a lovely low ball.Problem is it generates to much spin
into the wind.Now i play it from the center of my stance and go up a club or two and use the same swing,way better.

[Mattplusness]

I say who cares as long as you get the intended result!

[CalBoomer]

Let's get a bit more generic here. A punch shot can also be called a knockdown shot. The idea is that the ball is kept low, sometimes under an overhanging obstacle, sometimes into the wind, with decreased spin. The ball is hit with an abbreviated swing and a delofted clubface with the hands always ahead at contact. I personally can achieve these conditions better with the ball back in my stance. Some people have described it as a very hard chip. It can be hit with virtually any club from a 2-iron (Tiger's "stinger") to a wedge, depending on how far you want the ball to go and how low it must be kept.