The post How to hit a punch shot: 5 keys for playing from under the trees appeared first on Golf.

The post How to hit a punch shot: 5 keys for playing from under the trees appeared first on Golf.

No matter how straight you hit the ball, at some point you’re going to find yourself in the trees. With towering canopies and dangling branches, it can be an intimidating sight when you find your ball in the forest, but if you know how to hit the proper shot, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom.

To help teach us how to hit the perfect shot from the trees, we’ve enlisted the help of GOLF Top 100 Teacher Lou Guzzi. Check out the video or read below to learn more about how to escape the trees with ease.

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1. Find your window

First and foremost, you need to identify a spot in the trees that you can knock your ball through. The old saying in golf is “Trees are 90 percent air,” and while we can’t verify the veracity of that claim, there is likely a place where you can fit your ball to get it back to safety.

2. Determine your distance

When you know your window, the next step is to find your distance. A punch shot might be a little different than a stock shot, but you still need an accurate distance if you want to hit a beauty.

3. Club selection

With steps 1 and 2 complete, it’s time to pick the right club. You’ll likely want to keep the ball low to avoid those pesky branches, so choose a long iron or hybrid to hit it low.

4. Middle ball position

Set up with the ball in the middle of your stance before you hit the shot. This ball position will make it easier to keep the ball from coming off the clubface with too much loft.

5. Swing size controls speed

When you hit the shot, the size of the backswing will determine the swing speed — a half swing will merit half speed. If you match these elements up, the ball will come out low and running, avoiding tree trouble and on its way back to safety.

The post How to hit a punch shot: 5 keys for playing from under the trees appeared first on Golf.

The post Use this fail-proof recovery shot next time you get into trouble appeared first on Golf.

The post Use this fail-proof recovery shot next time you get into trouble appeared first on Golf.

Everyone loves to practice their stock shots when they go to the range. They make full swings and try to hit the ball dead straight at a target. It feels good when you pull them off, and it makes your confidence skyrocket when you get ready for your next round.

But on the course, stock shots are used far less often than you’d think. During most rounds, you’ll be forced to get creative with your swing to hit shots that aren’t robotic driving range shots.

A prime example? The punch shot. Everyone is going to get into a situation eventually where they need to keep the ball low so they can get out of trouble. Being in the woods — literally and figuratively — is inevitable if you play golf enough.

While everyone gets into these sticky situations though, lots of players have no idea how to execute a proper punch shot. There’s common wisdom that says play the ball back in your stance and make an abbreviated swing, but few people practice this shot on the range and even fewer can pull it off effectively on the course. The margin for error on these shots is slim and far too often players end up still in trouble after hitting the punch shot.

Putting

Count me as one of those who has little confidence in hitting an effective punch shot. I’m not a professional golfer, or a coach. I’m just a regular golfer, like you. Last year, I decided I wasn’t going to hit the traditional punch shot any more. Instead, I started hitting a far less difficult and higher percentage recovery shot.

It really helped me, and it could help you in the most troublesome situations, too.

Why I use a hybrid to punch-out

While a punch shot is usually hit with a long iron, this simple recovery shot is executed with a hybrid or fairway wood. Once you’ve selected your club, all you need to do is take a small half swing — think of it like a long putting stroke — to punch the ball out to safety.

If you hit the shot correctly, it should have enough steam to get out of the trees and low enough height to avoid all the branches. Plus, even if you mishit the shot, the penalty is far less severe as hybrids and fairway woods are quite forgiving.

Next time you hit it into the trees and need a failsafe recovery shot, try this technique with a hybrid or a wood. It’s easier than a traditional punch shot, and it requires far less practice.  

For more help with your game, get fit for clubs by the experts at our affiliate company, True Spec Golf.

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