How to escape trouble and master the low, powerful punch shot

By: Brady Riggs, Top 100 Teacher , Nick Dimengo July 19, 2024

If you're wondering how to hit a punch shot to escape trouble, use these easy tips from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Brady Riggs.

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If you’re a mid-handicapper like I am, you’ve probably come across many situations when you need to use a punch shot to get out of trouble and back into the fairway.

For example, say you slice your tee shot and are beneath a few trees with your ball sitting in the rough. Sure, we’d all love to have the ability to shape a shot and be aggressive, but, unfortunately, just taking our medicine and punching out is the smart decision.

Learning how to hit a punch shot that doesn’t just get back into safety but also covers a lot of distance isn’t always easy. Since there are ways to execute this type of shot, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Brady Riggs explains what you need to do in order to be successful.

How to escape trouble and master the low, powerful punch shot

“OK, so your shot landed under some tree limbs and you need to get the ball back into play while also scooting it up the fairway,” Riggs says. “These situations may have led to big numbers in the past, but there are adjustments to make to save your scorecard.”

Riggs dives into the smart play here, explaining how to hit an effective punch shot.

“To hit a punch shot, set the majority of your weight on your front foot with your hands slightly forward of center, making sure you lean the shaft towards the target,” he adds.

Next, Riggs suggest simply visualizing a shot that flies low and hard before taking your backswing — which should be shorter than normal. When coming down through impact, it’s imperative to shift the weight even more towards the target, avoiding any hanging back.

“The shaft should continue to lean towards the target to deloft the club to help it cut through the thick grass,” Riggs says. “Make sure you’re rotating your body through the shot, which will ensure the ball flight stays low.”

Finally, Riggs says to finish with the club staying beneath your chest, making sure your torso ends over your left foot.

“Think about getting your chest over your front foot in the follow-through, cutting your swing off when your hands reach chest height,” he says. “For an effective punch shot, the clubhead should finish either at or below the height of your hands, with the toe pointing right at the target.”

Sure, no player ever wants to find themselves in a spot where they need to hit a punch shot to avoid a blow-up hole. But by using Riggs’ adjustments above, you’ll be able to avoid more trouble, get back to safety and still find yourself rolling up the fairway.