Knockdown Shot

[Faucette]

I am going to Ireland in July and I assume I need to have a knockdown shot in my arsenal. When I try it on the course I take a 3/4 backswing and a similar follow through. The ball still flies higher than I would like. I was wondering about the best way to keep one low. 

[Sean124]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcKik6YLZVw

[SNIPERBBB]

Try a half swing. We tend to underestimate how far back we take the club back

[Hawkeye77]

Less lofted iron with your "less" swing.  Practice hitting 7 irons 100 yards for starters.  I don't have any need to play the ball back, but that's "conventional" wisdom. Conditions will determine how much you need to play certain shots, like anything else.  Find the YT vid of Adam Scott playing Rick Shiels.  At some point at Kingsbarns late in the round Scott hits an incredible "easy" 6 iron on a laser like trajectory into the wind that should be an inspiration for when you need that shot.  Honestly, we had mostly favorable weather and played pretty normal golf and used to playing in the wind anyway.

Edited May 9, 2023 by Hawkeye77

[Binson]

Take more club, grip down, swing easy. That was the Tiger method at the Open championship. 

[Abh159]

I think a common misconception is that people think they need to swing harder and hit "down" on the ball to hit a knockdown shot. That will only cause the ball to spin more and fly higher.

 

As others have mentioned... take more club, choke down a bit, put the ball a bit back in your stance, and make a 1/2 - 3/4 swing. That should accomplish the type of shot you're wanting. 

[Zitlow]

To hit it low and straight choke down on the club, play the ball back, square the face and strong lead hand grip with thumb on back of shaft to prevent the shaft from fully releasing past the lead arm. 

 

[Soloman1]

42 minutes ago, Zitlow said:

 choke down on the club, play the ball back,

 

These two things are usually enough…

[RoyalTroon]

I rotate ever so slightly open, ball in same spot, and 1/2 step closer to ball than normal is used as the flight rudder on the height.  Elk smashes low too.  A big part missing in BBG-Monte video from trees is usually having to aim at one tree or the other when the going gets tight, unless you're wide open in front like shown in the video.

 

 

[kkennedy]

Simple but effective: when it's breezy, swing it easy

[Ri_Redneck]

I grew up in Texas playing this as my stock shot. As many have mentioned, you have to control trajectory AND spin to pull it off. There's more to this than meets the eye though. Also, what hasn't been mentioned is the brutal reality you have to accept, and that is distance loss compared to still conditions. Typically, you want to play this shot when facing a brisk wind. Inevitably, you will come up short if you used your typical club for that distance. Hence the actual reason for clubbing up WHICH, will give you a lower trajectory and less spin BY ITSELF. Most people don't club up enough which causes them to still swing harder than normal causing poor contact and more spin. I have hit a 3w pin high on 150 yd holes before when my playing partners were trying to punch a long iron and ending up short every time. The key is you have to PRACTICE these shots in actual conditions to KNOW what club to use for the shot. The best way to overcome the urge to swing hard is the KNOW that you don't need to. That KNOWING comes form actually hitting the shots and seeing the result.

 

Another overlooked aspect is axis tilt (side spin). Moving the ball back as many suggest will usually cause a more inside path ending in a hard hook into that headwind if other adjustments aren't made. The best advice is to only move the ball back an inch or so, not back all the way. Moving the ball back simply decreases dynamic loft and you've already decreased ACTUAL loft by clubbing up. Moving the ball back a lot does no more than complicate the entire process.

 

Lastly, expect more rollout from the shot. Even though the wind is against you, these shots still have more release than a typical shot. Allow for that and play to an area which keeps you out of trouble. Hitting a knock-down over a hazard to a tight pin can be a recipe for disaster. Many times it's better to aim away from the pin to insure a safe landing area for these shots and give yourself a better chance of an up and down.

 

To sum it up:

1. Know what club is needed for the distance by practicing in actual conditions.

2. Proper ball placement.

3. Proper swing execution.

4. Allow for a little more roll-out.

 

BT