Keeping ball low

[keb]

What is the secret to keeping the ball low when trying to stay below the tree branches. When I try to get out of the trees, I invariably end up hitting the ball too high and often square into branch. If I can figure this out it is going to saving me couple strokes per nine holes.

[bwinger79]

Setup with the ball off your right toe(for rightys) with your hands ahead of the ball. Make sure you have your hands well ahead of the ball at impact. This will de-loft the club face and keep the ball nice and low for you.

[sonicblue]

Yes, you definitely keep the ball way back in your stance, hands ahead, but remember, that striking downward on the ball will still make it pop up and balloon, potentially into those branches. IMO, after setup, the key is takeaway. You have to take it back low and inside to encourage a very flat swing plane. Then concentrate on coming through the ball, keeping hands ahead and keeping that flat swing plane. That will help you get flat, or even slight over-, spin on the ball, keeping it down as well as helping you run it out toward your target.

[Hacker]

I do exactly what bwinger79 said and I use a low club like a 4 or 5 iron. 1/2 swing.

[benny]

I do exactly what "sonic blue" said, and try not to swing too hard as that adds backspin.

[supercow]

Also, keep your follow through low and extended outwards instead of upwards.

[digger21]

If im ever in that position I try to hit a low draw anytime its possible. For me that keeps the ball about 10ft above the ground for its airtime and then a good amount of roll.

[keb]

I still have not been able to keep my long irons low when trying to shoot out of trouble. Deciding to try using hybrid today. Worked great. Straight line drive about no more than 5-6 feet off the ground. It even went were I wanted to go.

[AndrewM]

wrist hinge...

sonic blue's advice was good... except i dont try to swing super flat, i always want to stay on plane, i just change wrist hinge... i am VERY Good at flighting the golf ball.... its an important thing to learn too... when you want the ball to go low, chances are, popping it up would be a Very bad shot. So learning how to change flight can be a big benefit.

[TheGolfer]

Just tale a five iron, swing nice and easy three quarters, oh and put it back little less than half way, and check to see where you think it is is really were it is. I see lots of people with wedges off their front foot from a hundred yards out, and others with drivers in the middle of their stance.

[Logie]

With the Irons i usually put it a ball width further back then a normal shot. Choke down a little on the club too.

Also, go down a club to make up the distance. 3/4 backswing and 3/4 follow through keeping the hands low

[Rynofskie]

I just club up and hit it soft......But that's probably why I suck at golf. it gets me on the green though.

[fluxcapacitor]

I have a 1 iron that I use for these shots ONLY. I do just like most here said with hands infront of the ball and about a 1/2 to 3/4 swing. I also try to move my weight forward with the swing. For some reason if i don't do this it gets up a little too much, but it also causes me to get off-line sometimes. Its a very hard shot for someone of my caliber to master.