A punch shot is a low, controlled golf shot you hit with a shorter backswing and a short, firm finish so the ball stays under the wind or under tree branches. You grip down, play the ball back a little, keep your hands ahead of the ball and stop the follow-through early. It gives up some distance to gain control.
What does punch shot mean in golf?
It's a shot played on purpose with a lower flight than normal. Greg Norman describes it as "nothing but a long, hard chip," which is a good way to think about it: a chipping setup and motion, scaled up to an iron shot. You'll also hear it called a knockdown shot. Most golf glossaries treat the two names as the same shot.
When should you hit a punch shot?
- Into the wind. A lower ball flight gets knocked around less. Anyone who plays in North Texas in spring knows how much that matters.
- Under trees. When you're blocked by branches after a missed tee shot, a punch gets you back in play.
- On firm, open ground. When there's room for the ball to run up to the green, a low shot that bounces and rolls can be easier to control than a high one.
If the punch can't reach the green safely, it often turns into a smart lay up instead.
How do you hit a punch shot?
- Club down or keep the same club. Norman suggests anything from a 6 or 7 iron to a pitching wedge, depending on the distance and how much roll you want.
- Grip down an inch or two on the handle for control.
- Ball back toward the middle of your stance.
- Hands forward and weight forward. Norman's tip is about two thirds of your weight on your front foot.
- Shorter backswing, firm wrists. Keep the wrists quiet and the club low.
- Short finish. Hold the finish low, with your hands stopping not far past your front knee. That's what keeps the ball down.
Practice it at the range before you need it. Hit a few with a 7 iron and see how far they carry and how far they roll. Distance on a punch is mostly feel, so a few reps tell you more than any chart.
Punch shot vs chip vs bump and run
All three use a similar idea: hands ahead, ball back, low flight. A chip is from just off the green. A bump and run lands short of the green and runs on. A punch is the full-shot version, usually from the fairway, rough or trees.
Where does the term punch shot come from?
We couldn't find a reliable first use of "punch shot" in golf, and golf dictionaries we checked don't date it, so we won't guess. The name fits the motion: a short, firm hit with an abbreviated finish, which Norman compares to a boxer's jab. "Knockdown" describes the result, a ball flight knocked down lower than normal.
FAQ
Is a punch shot the same as a knockdown?
In most golf glossaries, yes. Some players use "knockdown" for a slightly fuller version, but both mean a deliberately lower, controlled shot.
What club is best for a punch shot?
A mid or short iron, roughly a 6 iron through pitching wedge. Lower-lofted clubs come out lower and run farther.
Does a punch shot go shorter?
It usually carries shorter than a full swing with the same club but can run more after landing. Learn your numbers at the range.
Is a stinger a punch shot?
A stinger is a very low, penetrating shot usually hit off the tee with a long club. It's related, but it's a separate shot.
More golf words explained in our golf terms glossary. Looking for an iron you trust in the wind? Browse used golf clubs with exact specs and a 1 to 10 condition grade on every listing.
