Please explain KnockDown/Punch shots and how you lineup differently for them?

[BostonSully]

Question is in the title.

Around this time of year the courses I play have a lot of low lying branches and most shots not in the fairways on Par4s require some sort of knockdown or punch shot to keep the ball low enough to not hit branches etc..

So can someone please explain to me the difference between the 2 and how and when you would approach each shot and the adjustments you make to alter the trajectory and swing for each shot.

Thanks kindly - BS

[Paradox]

I use a punch shot a lot and will use either my 19 hybrid or 5 iron and all I do is move the ball towards my backfoot(pretty much halfway between middle of stance and back foot) and make more of a pitch chip swing which is more arms.  I don't have a long backswing and my whole goal is just to get the ball forward past the trees and into a playable spot from there.

The follow through for me is usually pretty low and theres basically NO weight shift back at the start of the swing..follow through like I would a chip or pitch.  I try to envision just smacking the ball in my head and it helps me.

[TourSpoon]

Knock-down:

Ball back 2", shoulders more parallel to ground than normal, 3/4 or partial backswing, abreviated follow through (swing key - keep path through ball, there is a tendency to pull)

The knock-down is a great shot to hit under the wind and when you hit it correctly it will hold the intended ball flight line. Also useful in taking spin off a shot, flighting the ball lower into an sloped green, gearing down the wedges, etc.

Punch:

Ball between back of center and right foot, partial swing, very abbreviated follow through depending on circumstance (very easy to draw)

This can be played so many different ways and is great to go under branches and such. It is more of a recovery shot, flies low, and best hit with a lower lofted club such as a 3 or 4 iron, although you are not limited to that.

[ohiolefty]

I use these shots a lot, and most of what has been posted so far is pretty solid.

I'd just like to add that impact quality is really important on these shots as it relates to distance control/spin. When you're hitting a flighted shot, you need to hit it flush because if you don't...all manner of bad things will happen. It's something to practice OFTEN, as in almost every range session. The other great thing about practicing these shots is that it should help your overall ballstriking. I advocate a drill where you pick a yardage that is a half a club too long for your LW, and work on hitting every iron in your bag to that target with draws, fades, etc. Great for impact position, feel, and learning to hit different shots. Then, when you get on the course and you want to hit a 95 yard shot beneath a tree line and you need to cut it, you've already hit that shot dozens, hundreds, thousands of times.