Nina Caldwell
A punch shot, or stinger, is a golf shot that travels much lower than its corresponding 'normal' ball flight. It is a valuable skill to have in your arsenal, as it can help you out of tricky situations, such as when your ball is under a tree or there is a strong headwind or crosswind. The punch shot is executed with a shorter swing, focusing on control rather than power, and with the ball positioned further back in your stance. The goal is to make clean contact with the ball and trap it, keeping the clubface square and your hands pressed forward to reduce loft and create a penetrating trajectory.
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What You'll Learn
When to use a punch shot
Punch shots are an important technique for golfers to master. They are a great way to get yourself back in play when you've made a bad tee shot or found yourself in a tricky situation, such as under trees or in bunkers. Punch shots are also useful when faced with a headwind or crosswind, as they can help you keep the ball low and avoid the wind affecting its flight path.
When playing a punch shot, it's important to focus on control rather than power. This means making a subtle forward press at setup, with your hands ahead of the ball and a flat or slightly flexed lead wrist. You should also take a narrower stance than usual, with your feet closer together, and a shorter backswing—around three-quarters of a normal swing. This will help you maintain balance and control throughout the swing and make clean contact with the ball.
The ball position for a punch shot is also key. You should place the ball slightly back from the centre of your stance—typically, one to two ball lengths behind your normal position. This will help lower the ball flight and produce a controlled, penetrating punch shot.
Punch shots are not just for getting out of trouble. They can also be a safe and reliable shot option when you have a clear view of the green. Practising punch shots from various locations around the course will help you master this technique and know when to use it.
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How to hit a punch shot
A punch shot is a golf shot that travels much lower than its corresponding 'normal' ball flight. It is a valuable shot to master, as it can help you get out of tricky situations, such as when you need to get the ball under a tree or its branches, or when facing a strong headwind or crosswind.
Step 1: Visualize the Shot
Before you take your shot, take a moment to visualize the trajectory of the ball and the swing. This is a crucial step that many amateur golfers skip, but it will help you swing with confidence.
Step 2: Analyze the Situation
If you find yourself out of position, take a strategic approach. Calculate the distance and hole location, and look for the largest gap or opening to hit through. This will give you the best chance of getting back into a good position.
Step 3: Assess the Lie
The lie of the ball will dictate the type of shot you should hit. If your ball is sitting down in the rough with a bad lie, it will go lower, but you might not be able to use as much club. If your ball is sitting up, you may need a lower-lofted club to prevent it from "jumping" and hitting any low-hanging branches.
Step 4: Select the Right Club
To hit a low punch shot, you generally want to use a longer club with less loft, such as a 3-5 iron. This will help to lower the trajectory of the ball. However, don't automatically assume you need these clubs, as they are harder to hit than a 5 or 6 iron. If you are close to the green, you can use a short iron and adjust your swing accordingly.
Step 5: Address the Ball
Address the ball like a chip shot. Position the ball further back in your stance, typically in the middle or one ball back of the middle. This will help you make clean contact with the ball. Move your hands forward so that your lead wrist is in front of the golf ball, reducing loft. Choke up on the club 1-2 inches to gain more control and hit the ball straighter. Shift your weight forward to your front foot to create a descending blow and keep the ball lower.
Step 6: Swing and Follow Through
Take a smaller backswing, less than shoulder height or even to your waist for very short punches. Focus on keeping your hands pressed forward during the follow-through. The punch shot is played with a relatively fast swing, like a boxing jab.
Remember, the key to a successful punch shot is control rather than power. Practice this shot on the range to master the technique and gain confidence in using it when you need to get out of a tricky situation on the course.
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Common mistakes when hitting a punch shot
Punch shots are a type of golf shot designed to fly close to the ground to avoid obstacles. They are a valuable skill to have in your arsenal as they can save strokes and help you recover after a wayward drive. However, they are not often practised by golfers and are therefore prone to mistakes. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when hitting a punch shot:
- Taking too long of a swing: A longer swing will send the ball on a higher trajectory, defeating the purpose of a punch shot. Instead, opt for a shorter backswing, about 20-40% of your normal swing, to keep the ball lower to the ground.
- Incorrect hand and wrist position: Your hands should be slightly ahead of the ball at impact to lower the ball flight. However, many golfers make the mistake of placing their hands too far forward, causing the lead wrist to extend and the clubface to open, resulting in weak and off-target shots. Maintain a flat or slightly flexed lead wrist to keep the clubface square.
- Playing the ball too far back: While placing the ball back in your stance can help lower the loft, playing it too far back can lead to chunks or excessive shaft lean. A slight move back from the centre is enough to produce a controlled, penetrating punch shot.
- Over-exaggerating the shot: Punch shots are about control, not just low flight. Small adjustments are key; there's no need to exaggerate the shot. Take a narrower stance than usual to improve your balance and control throughout the swing.
- Trying to hit the ball too far: Amateurs often try to maximise the distance of punch shots, but this can lead to a low success rate. It's important to adopt course management strategies and understand that hitting the ball to a safer distance can improve your chances for lower scores.
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Punch shot equipment
Punch shots are used to get yourself back into the game when you're in a tricky situation, such as under trees or in a bunker. They are a great way to correct a bad tee shot and are considered one of the most important shots to master at any level.
When it comes to equipment, the punch shot requires a longer club with less loft, such as a 3, 4 or 5 iron. The longer the club, the lower the ball will travel. If you need to keep the ball very low, go with your longest iron. However, these lower irons are harder to hit, so it might not always be the best idea. If you're close to the green, you can hit the ball low with a short iron, such as a 6 or 7 iron. Hybrids are not recommended for punch shots as they are designed to launch the ball higher.
The punch shot is played with a relatively fast swing, like a boxing jab. You want to make clean contact with the ball, with a shorter, controlled swing. Think about doing 20-40% of your normal swing.
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Practicing punch shots
Know When to Use a Punch Shot
Firstly, it's important to understand when to use a punch shot. Punch shots are ideal when you need to get back into position after a bad tee shot or when you're under trees and need to avoid branches. Analyze your shot and lie, and calculate your distance and hole location to determine if a punch shot is the best option.
Stance and Ball Position
When setting up for a punch shot, play the ball back in your stance to reduce loft and keep the ball flight lower. The ball position should be slightly back from the center of your stance, about one to two ball lengths. This will help you make better contact with the ball and prevent catching it on the upswing or hitting it too high.
Wrist and Clubface
Lead wrist flexion at impact is crucial for a successful punch shot. Flex or bow your lead wrist to keep the clubface square or slightly closed, which will result in a straight, low, and controlled ball flight. Avoid extending your lead wrist, as this opens the clubface and adds loft, which is the opposite of what you want for a punch shot.
Swing and Follow-Through
A shorter backswing, about 3/4 length, is ideal for punch shots. This will make it easier to make contact with the ball, keep it lower, and maintain forward shaft lean. Focus on making clean contact with the ball, and think about doing only 20-40% of your normal swing. Your follow-through should be abbreviated, and you should finish with the clubface lower to the ground.
Club Selection
The club you choose for a punch shot will depend on the situation and the height and distance you need to achieve. Generally, a long iron is a better choice than a hybrid for punch shots, as hybrids tend to launch the ball higher. You can use anything from a 4-iron to an 8-iron, depending on how low you need the shot to be and how much room you have to work with.
Practice and Experimentation
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Frequently asked questions
A punch shot in golf is a shot that travels much lower than its corresponding ‘normal’ ball flight. It is a valuable shot to master as it offers control, consistency, and versatility in situations where a full swing might get you into trouble.
You should use a punch shot when you need the ball to travel underneath a tree and its branches. It is also useful when there is a strong headwind or crosswind.
To hit a punch shot, you should focus on control rather than power. Place the ball just back of centre in your stance and choke down on the grip of your club to gain more control. Keep your hands pressed forward during the follow-through to reduce loft and ensure a lower ball flight.
