Punch shots
The Fundamentals of Punch Shots
The setup, swing, and decision basics that make punch shots dependable on the course.
The shot has a job
Punch shots are not about looking clever. They are about controlling the next problem. Start by deciding what the ball must do: fly through a window, roll like a putt, finish below the hole, or simply get back to the fairway.
For most players, the foundation is ball slightly back, weight favoring lead side, hands ahead. From there, keep the motion quiet and the finish matched to the shot.
Feel before force
Use 6-iron, 7-iron, or pitching wedge and rehearse the length of swing that produces low, boring flight. If the practice swing feels violent, the plan is probably wrong.
The useful miss
A good miss leaves another ordinary shot. That is the difference between technique and gambling. Choose the version of the shot that turns trouble into a playable next move.