Tom Kite’s 3-step guide to hitting a knockdown iron

In this edition of Timeless Tips, we look back at the November 1979 issue of GOLF Magazine for tips from Tom Kite on how to hit a knockdown shot. For unlimited access to the full GOLF Magazine digital archive, join InsideGOLF today; you’ll enjoy $140 of value for only $39.99/year.

Playing golf in wind is something all great players have to learn. Being able to hit stock shots is great, but to become truly elite, you must know how to play in the elements.

Tom Kite knew this fact well. Growing up and learning the game in Texas, he cut his teeth carving his ball through the wind nearly every day. His persistence paid off as he went on to win the 1992 U.S. Open, contested on a blustery Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Back in 1979, Kite shared some of his secrets on hitting knockdown shots in the wind with GOLF Magazine, which you can read below.

Tom Kite’s keys for a knockdown

I grew up in Texas, where some say, the wind never stops blowing. That’s not exactly the case, but it does blow enough to make some special shots necessary. One of these is the knockdown or punch shot. This shot keeps the ball low and gives you a greater degree of control than a normal shot. The knockdown works not only into the wind but also in a crosswind, where the wind will blow too high a shot off line. 

To play this shot, you should use one more club than you would under normal conditions so that you won’t have to swing hard to make the ball reach the target. This is important, because hitting the ball the proper distance is very difficult under windy conditions.

The loft of the club at impact determines the height that the ball will fly. Therefore, I suggest you position the ball back toward your right foot in your stance. This will deloft the club and put your hands ahead of the clubhead, a position that is ideal not only at address but also at impact. You don’t want to play the ball in its normal position, because this will position your hands more over the ball and as a result the club will have too much loft at impact.

Instruction

Another aid in keeping the hands ahead of the clubhead is to put slightly more weight on the left side at address. Then on the backswing, instead of shifting your weight to the right side, you keep it on the left. This will result in less shoulder turn and a shorter backswing. But, recall, you are using at least one more club than normal. So a big swing is not needed.

Just try to take a smooth, easy swing. Most amateur golfers have the tendency to swing extremely hard in the wind because they think they have to. This is exactly what you must learn not to do.

For example, normally I will hit an 8-iron 135 or more yards. But when playing in the wind I might use up to a 4-iron, depending upon the conditions.

One of the problems in playing this shot is that the ball might be hit to the right of target. This happens because the hands may lead so much that they don’t allow the clubface to square up. As a compensation I open my stance slightly at address, which enables me to clear my left side more easily on the downswing, and thereby bring the club into a square position at impact.

One other thing to remember is that, because the ball is flying lower, it will not stop quickly, and you must allow for some run. However, don’t overdo it — very, very few amateurs ever hit the ball over the green in normal conditions, much less in the wind.

I enjoy playing the knockdown shot and believe I hit it as well as most of the touring pros. It has saved me innumerable strokes through the years and is one of the primary reasons I’ve played well in Florida tournaments and in the British Open. But my comfort in playing the shot has come only after hours of practice. And that’s what it will take for you, too. But remember, when you’ve mastered this shot you have also mastered the wind.

Below are three short keys for executing the knockdown.

1. Play it back

Play the ball back in your stance, with slightly more weight than usual on your left foot. This combination delofts the club and puts your hands ahead of the ball.

2. Shorten the backswing

Because you will use one more club than usual, you will need only a short, smooth backswing to reach the target and keep the ball boring underneath the wind.

3. Keep the hands in front

It’s important to keep your hands leading the clubhead. If you find that you hit the ball to the right, simply open your stance to clear your hips faster.