The
Scenario:
You
hit your pitching wedge pretty solid, but it takes your best swing to
get close to the pin.
The
Solution:
The
longer the backswing, the less margin for error, yet most golfers
make their club selection based on a full swing for the yardage at
hand. This often can prove to be a big mistake, especially when you
can get away with swinging a longer club a little shorter. Often
referred to as a “Punch Shot”, this is a shotmaker's best friend,
especially to an open green, or when faced with a stiff wind. Below
are the steps to executing the shot properly as well as a yardage
guide to help you select the right club, when you elect to make a
punch-shot swing.
Step
1
Keep
everything in your set-up generally the same, but stop your backswing
when your hands reach chest high. Be sure you've hinged your wrists
fully, with the clubhead high above your hands. From the top of your
backswing, turn through the ball as normal.
Step
2
After
impact, make sure to keep the clubhead low to the ground, this helps
the ball fly at a lower trajectory, piercing the wind. Finishing low
also reduces your chances of swiping across the ball and hitting a
cut. If you select the proper club for the distance you're facing,
you'll end up in great shape on the green.
Refer
to the chart below to get a general idea of distances with various
clubs.
Club Full-Swing
Distance Punch-Swing Distance
7-iron 165
yards 130 yards
8-iron 150
yards 115 yards
9-iron 135
yards 100 yards
PW 125
yards 85 yards
Remember
to check back often for the latest tips and training from Ted &
Buck Golf!
