Being able to hit a towering shot into the greens with an iron is a premium skill. However, if you really want to become a shot-maker, you’ve got to know how to take a little something off your shots, too.
Case in point: Rory McIlroy on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass during his playoff against J.J. Spaun at last weekend’s Players Championship.
With winds swirling and the margin for error slim, McIlroy hit a knockdown safely onto the green to set up an easy par. Shortly after, his opponent hit a much higher shot that got into the jet stream and sailed the green. Advantage McIlroy.
Pros make these knockdown shots look easy, but for recreational players, mastering it can be tough. For some quick tips on how to hit the shot like McIlroy, we turn to GOLF Teacher to Watch Parker McLachlin, aka the Short Game Chef.
How to hit a knockdown like Rory
If you watched the playoff at TPC Sawgrass, you saw Rory McIlroy pull off a high-stakes shot under extreme pressure.
Standing on the iconic 17th hole — an island green with wind in his face — Rory hit a three-quarter 9-iron from 130 yards to a back pin, controlling his trajectory perfectly.
His opponent, J.J. Spaun, played a full 8-iron, sailed it long into the water, and lost the tournament. This is where precision matters.
You’ll notice when pros want to hit the ball high, they finish with the club high on the follow through. The same principle applies for hitting a lower knockdown shot.
When you take it back, only take the shaft to about shoulder height. Then, when you make your follow through, finish with the club about shoulder height as well.
By doing this, you’ll be able to take a little distance off your shot and keep the trajectory a little lower. It’s a perfect shot for when you want to keep the ball out of the wind.
ShortGameChef.com, created by PGA Tour winner Parker McLachlin, provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short game. Through personalized tips, drills, and expert insights, Parker helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
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