ball position on knockdown shots

[doublesuited77]

wanted to see how i compared to others who post here.

Here is the situation. (not sure all of the details matter, but I will give the info anyway.)

Playing in 45 degree weather into about a 2-club wind. Playing to a elevated green (170 to the hole, 155 to the front edge) from a decent lie in the fairway. I decide to hit a knockdown 5-iron and run it up.

For this shot, what is your ball position?

[907golfer12]

More towards the back, but infront of the back heel, because then I can release my hands a little more, making it more comfortable shot and it will still have a lower ball flight.

[Guest]

The idea of the knock down is to keep the ball from ballooning up as high it typically would. You want to play the ball at least back of center or closer to back then normal. A lot of it is feel and practice to get the right action for you.

Weight distribution is also crucial. You must be into your front foot (left foot for right handed players) at impact in order to trap the ball properly. Hope that helps.

Randy
www.golfmindpower.com

PS. Did you pull the shot off?

[907golfer12]

The idea of the knock down is to keep the ball from ballooning up as high it typically would. You want to play the ball at least back of center or closer to back then normal. A lot of it is feel and practice to get the right action for you.

The shot is used for preventing balloning, but it is also played to cut through wind on a windy day. And if I understand his post it wasn't an actual situation, it was just and example to make it easier for us to understand what he was asking for. But like I said I agree with what you said so don't take this the wrong way.

[doublesuited77]

it actually was a real situation.

[907golfer12]

Okay, then I was wrong, and like Randygolf said, how did it end up?

[iacas]

I play my knockdown shots a little further forward in my stance. Yes, towards the target.

Why?

Because back in my stance, sure, it's very easy to take loft off. However, it's also a lot easier to add more backspin and balloon the ball up in the air.

I play knockdowns about a ball forward. Usually since you're trying to lead with the hands the tendency is to block the ball out to the right anyway, so the extra ball width gives my hands more time to release, I still lead with the hands (I tend to keep my weight more left the entire time), and I take backspin OFF. All by playing it forward just a little.

[g-funk13]

I play knockdowns about a ball forward. Usually since you're trying to lead with the hands the tendency is to block the ball out to the right anyway, so the extra ball width gives my hands more time to release, I still lead with the hands (I tend to keep my weight more left the entire time), and I take backspin OFF. All by playing it forward just a little.

So do I understand that by moving the ball fwd you impart a strike on the ball that is less down, thereby reducing spin?

Do you choke down, or shorten the backswing?

[doublesuited77]

erik's response was kinda what I was getting at. when hitting a knockdown shot, ball position is going to affect a couple of things

1) ball flight, the further back, the more pentrating the ball flight
2) spin, the further back the more spin you impart. (which can be a huge deal on windy days.)


in this situation, into a stiff wind, but uphill, there is a tradeoff. I hit a 5-iron just inside my back foot which landed just short of the green and landed on the fringe.

my playing partner, hit a 5-iron (from about 15 yard closers), about pin high, but ended up in the greenside bunker becuase the wind took his slight draw and turned it into a hook.

[allin]

I don't move the ball back of center. I think ball contact and spin is unpredictable for all but the most talented if you do this. With the ball at center with one extra club, restricted follow through I have very good results. I can actully be fairly aggresive. I think the reason many struggle with this shot is lack of practice. I rarely see any one practice knockdowns, trouble shots etc, especially if you play less oftent or don't have chances for on course practice.

[iacas]

So do I understand that by moving the ball fwd you impart a strike on the ball that is less down, thereby reducing spin?

Almost all knockdowns are played with a slight grip down and a slightly shorter swing. Obviously if I'm hitting a 5-iron from 100 yards into a two-club wind, it's a LOT shorter and gripped down... but then again you might think of that as a long chip shot rather than a knockdown.

But yeah, a standard knockdown is slightly shorter and gripped down (even 1/2"). The question in this thread is ball position, though, so I didn't mention that stuff.

erik's response was kinda what I was getting at. when hitting a knockdown shot, ball position is going to affect a couple of things

We have a different defintion of "penetrating" then. Penetrating - to me - has more to do with how well the ball gets through the wind without floating or ballooning. It has little to do with the height of the shot.

Besides, a properly played knockdown with the ball just a touch forward - for me - usually has the same trajectory as one played just a touch further back, but has less chance of ballooning or otherwise being messed up (by blocking to the right, etc.).

[doublesuited77]

i think we have the same definition of pentrating. for me, at least, a ball played back in my stance is much less likely to balloon, especially out of an uphill lie.

[Augusta Hacker]

I place the ball a little forward of where I would for a normal shot, hands a little more forward and then stop my follow through as soon I as I can. The quicker I stop my follow through, the lower the trajectory. Also, keep as much weight forward as well.

[dbornack]

I almost NEVER play the ball as far back as my back heel..

I play it just back of center, push my weight a little towards the target.. and I have 2 keys that make this happen for me..

1) stay down and stay still on the ball and not get in front of it.
2) Keep my wrist-cock on the downswing as long as possible. This feels like I'm already through the ball by the time my club makes contact. The more I exaggerate this, the lower the shot. I've hit 8-irons 20 feet off the ground using this technique...

[Ben]

Center for me.

[flash]

In 45f. weather would the fairway allow a ball to bounce truly?If your course does, lucky you.With your handicap just go with the club that will get to the front of the green and you will either have a long putt,depending on pin location,or a chip. Why a knock down shot?

[doublesuited77]

In 45f. weather would the fairway allow a ball to bounce truly?If your course does, lucky you.With your handicap just go with the club that will get to the front of the green and you will either have a long putt,depending on pin location,or a chip. Why a knock down shot?

fair point, but the fairway will still be more predictable than stiff wind, especially when hitting uphill. Even if i hit it short of the green, most of my misses will be playable; can't really say that hitting uphill.

[Leek]

I grip down a bit maybe an inch, play the ball center or slightly back of center, make a 3/4 backswing and hold off my release. If I play it any further back, it hooks.