How to Punch a Low Golf Shot Under Trees

One of several important facets of golf is the number of unusual situations we confront during just one round of golf, and the more resources we can employ to get out of the sticky conditions with a minimum of damage could be the difference of 5 or 6, or more, strokes in our handicap. One of those sticky conditions we regularly encounter is when we have to punch a low golf shot under trees.

There will always be many ways to get out you from this situation, and on occasion the careful way, to simply get the ball back on the fairway, is the very best way. Depending on how a ball lies, where additional hazards can be found, and just how much space underneath the tree you have to work with, at times it's really better to take your medicine and go the safe way. But to punch a low golf shot under trees can often get you from difficulty without sacrificing yardage.

My first bit of advice regarding how to punch a low golf shot under trees, and this goes contrary to what some people think, is not to locate the ball well back in the stance. It's true that you really want to deloft the club, and positioning the ball back will achieve that, but you also would like to put a small amount or no backspin on the ball. You will produce backspin if you hit the ball taking a downward arch that is certainly what you'll do if the ball is back. Instead, so that you can hit a low golf shot beneath trees, try this:

1. Over club by at least two. You are going to be taking an abbreviated swing, and you want less loft and thus less height on the ball.

2. Place the ball in the center of the stance.

3. Choke down on the club, only a little.

4. Flatten the swing, taking the club back low and don't hinge the wrists.

5. Keep the hands well ahead of the ball at contact, resulting in a delofted club head.

6. Finish with the club head low and again not hinging the wrists.

7. Swing slow and easy, concentrating on making firm contact to the ball.

I term it a "punch shot", as to me I have the feeling of merely punching the ball low, keeping it just off the ground, and then getting yardage with the roll. As pointed out earlier, the quality of the lie will determine if I try this shot. If I can't get my entire clubface on the ball, it's too risky to undertake. In addition, if the area where I hope to generate roll out of is very wet and won't yield much roll, the risk/reward of the shot may perhaps be too high.

An excellent little driving range drill is to stand your golf bag up around four or five feet in front of you, and try to punch balls through the legs and under the bag. If you keep hitting the bag, cut down on the pace of the swing. Under the proper circumstances, this is a handy shot to have on the golf course. No matter what your level of play, there will be times when it will be advantageous to understand how to punch a low golf shot under trees.