Hit it high hit it low

[bunkerputt]

I was at the range working on hitting it low for the first time in a long time.  I finally managed to get it by releasing low and left.  I hit about 30 balls low and then tried to switch back to my normal trajectory and found it extremely difficult.  I rattled off about 10 shots way too low, mostly on the toe and all over the range until I re-found my normal trajectory swing.  Is this normal?  Harvey Pennick said don't hit too many knockdown shots.  Is that why?

[DeanS]

Seems to be that way for me. Went from hitting duck hooks to hitting push draws which morphed into a straight push. From there to staight shots and then to a push fade. Being left handed and being able to hit a fade I was thrilled. Went to the range and thought I'd try hitting a few draws, couldn't do it. Played a game last weekend and all I did was hit duck hooks. Quit after 12 holes and played another 12, same result. Went to the range last night and worked on my swing.

[phillyk]

The way I try hitting knock downs vs my normal swing is for the knock down, i choke down on the club and put the ball in the back of my stance and take a 3/4 swing but making sure i hit down on the ball with full acceleration.  This way it isn't too far from my normal swing when I grip the club normally and place the ball near the middle of my stance depending what club it is.  I think if you can find a way to take your normal swing and make simple adjustments to position of ball and gripping, you will be able to go back and forth much easier.

[delav]

Originally Posted by phillyk

The way I try hitting knock downs vs my normal swing is for the knock down, i choke down on the club and put the ball in the back of my stance and take a 3/4 swing but making sure i hit down on the ball with full acceleration.  This way it isn't too far from my normal swing when I grip the club normally and place the ball near the middle of my stance depending what club it is.  I think if you can find a way to take your normal swing and make simple adjustments to position of ball and gripping, you will be able to go back and forth much easier.

I agree with phillyk.  Rather than reinventing the wheel, try the easy stuff first.  Play the ball back, choke down and be sure to hit the shot with the shaft leaning forward.

[bunkerputt]

Maybe we are talking about two different things.  Is a knockdown the same thing as a "stinger"?  I'm trying to play a stinger here where you keep it low and controlled.

These are the differences between a normal shot for me and whatever this low shot is called:

Normal Shot:  Ball under left eye

Knockdown:  Ball under nose

Normal Shot:  Turn the hips hard to get the club releasing more

Knockdown:   Don't turn so hard, slide more to left leg

Normal Shot:  Body squares the hands

Knockdown:  Keep back of left hand facing the target longer

I have to release left because the shaft is leaning so far forward.  If I didn't, the ball would go miles right or I would take a gigantic divot.  Releasing left is the only way I can keep from flipping to avoid the first two issues.  *edit* My finish gets cut off as a result of this with my left elbow facing the ground instead of left.  My goal is to start it off so low that I don't have to worry about hitting it too hard causing it to balloon.  I don't really have a need for a low-mid trajectory low spin shot with a 3/4 swing.  I play a lot of spin and that would just give me too much distance with my irons for this kind of shot.

For me, these changes are the most effective way to get the clubhead delofted in the maximum way possible.  It's just different going between the two because you get very accustomed to the way your eyes see things and the way your hips move and the way your hands move through impact.  Maybe I'm not switching mental gears enough while making the setup positions?

[bunkerputt]

I never thought about how confusing it was to discuss low trajectory shots.  Take this article from Golf Digest:

--The knockdown doesn't go shorter, just lower. I can hit a knockdown 9-iron as far as a full 9-iron, but with more precision. The knockdown requires less hand rotation, more body rotation. With my strong grip, that's great for me. I don't have to manipulate my hands through impact. That's why it works under pressure.

--The knockdown is not a punch shot. A knockdown goes the same distance as a regular shot, only lower and with more spin. But a punch goes shorter than normal and lands more softly. My backswing for the knockdown is fairly full, like my normal backswing. For the punch shot, my backswing is shorter because I'm hitting the ball shorter. The biggest difference between the two shots is the follow-through. For the punch, my follow-through is higher, more like a standard swing. For the knockdown, I finish low to hit the ball low.

--Play the ball farther back in your stance. Put your weight more on your left side. For a regular iron shot, you should have about 55 percent of your weight left, but with the knockdown it should be between 60 and 70 percent left. This encourages a downward blow, the club striking the ball before the turf.

- -Try this drill: Using the setup I described earlier and with a 9-iron, practice hitting shots only 20 yards. Notice the trajectory. Then with the same club, try hitting shots 30 yards, but with almost the same trajectory. Remember to finish low. Gradually lengthen your shots to 50, 75, 100 yards, always trying for the same ball flight.

--Practice: On the range or on the course when it's not busy, practice hitting shots under objects. Maybe there are tree branches on the side of the practice area. If there is a 100-yard sign out on the range, try to hit it with a shot that would go 150 yards. That would be a great knockdown trajectory.

So basically the knockdown is a shot that goes exactly as far, but with more accuracy for when you want that.  Otherwise if you want to spray it, switch back to the other shot.  Also for a punch shot, finish high to make the ball go low and land softly.  Here's a comic I made detailing this point along with my reaction:

[iacas]

Want to hit it lower? Stay in flexion longer.

[bunkerputt]

Originally Posted by iacas

Want to hit it lower? Stay in flexion longer.

OK.  I'll bite.  Which muscles do you want me to flex and when?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by bunkerputt

OK.  I'll bite.  Which muscles do you want me to flex and when?

I said stay in flexion, not "flex your muscles."

I'm saying "stay bent over." Don't extend on the follow-through.