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I was wondering how a punch shot is executed, also what about distance control with punch shot, does it go the same distance as a regular iron shot or less?
thanks for help!

Over the course of the last several years, the names/descriptions of shots have changed a bit. That's mostly because of the guys in the booth trying to personalize their own styles of commentating.

My point is that there is now a few different meanings of "punch" shot. It could be a knockdown, or it could also be a bump-n-run type shot. I heard Johnny Miller repeat several times during the US Open, "He was trying to punch an 8iron" or something to that effect.

In either case, a punch shot is a lower trajectoried shot that either hits and releases or hits and stops on the green because of spin. How you execute this shot depends entirely upon the lie and the club needed to get the ball to the target. Typically, it's more of a 3/4 swing where you hold off on the high follow through. Most pros take a 3/4 swing, and never allow their hands to finish anymore than chest high on the follow through, which helps keep the ball flight lower.

If you would typically play a full shot at say, an 8rion distance.... you'd simply need to take one more club (maybe even a 6iron in some cases depending on the slope and elevation changes) and play the ball back in your stance as opposed to the middle or forward part of the stance. You grip down on the club just a tad, making it more the same shaft length as that of an 8iron club, but it has less loft so it will naturally come off the face a few degrees lower. And since you've shortned the club by gripping down an inch or so (figure that gripping down on the club an inch generally equals about 10 yards less of total distance) it should be in the ball park of where you need it to end up distance wise. Then you just make 3/4 backswing and keep your finish low. Remember, hands don't need to be any higher than chest at the follow through position.

That's really all there is to it. And it's a great shot to have, especially playing in windy conditions. It takes a lot of practice to learn exactly which club is needed and distance control, but it's a great weapon on the course.

The key is definitely to take more club and not take a full, hard swing as that will put more backspin on the ball and cause a higher ball flight. I play a lot in windy conditions and this is one shot that really helps with the irons. Now if I could just learn to hit Tiger's "stinger" off the tee I'd be set.

I play a 'stinger' off the tee on occasion, which essentially is a variation of a punch shot. I use this play off the tee when there is a strong head wind or side wind, the fairway is narrow, and distance is not as important as being in the fairway.

I use my 4-iron for this shot and choke up 2-3 inches. The ball is positioned about 1 ball back of centerline of my stance. I only take about a 1/2 - 3/4 backswing and drive HARD through the ball making sure my hands remain slightly forward.

The result is a screaming line drive that stays about 15 yards off the ground and travels about 90% of my full 4-iron distance (190-200) with roll being a large factor.

This is a really effective shot for me and I find it nearly impossible to ***** up. The ONLY thing you need to be careful of, is hitting it fat. This will happen if you don't power through the ball or have it far enough back in your stance. And if you hit this shot fat, you will be in BIG trouble because with that clubface hooded and a short backswing, its not going too far!

I usually get a lot of ooooooooooooo's and ahhhhhhhhhhh's from my 4-some when I hit this shot! Have fun!

^^^ big time.. abbreviate your follow through too.. take about 3/4 of your swing and play the back towards the back of your stance for a stinger

It'll take some practice to find the right ball placement...too far back can cause some problems, and by all means, keep the tension out of the arms and shoulders. Tension will ruin this shot (well, everyshot for that matter!).

Try not to fire your hips too hard most of the time you'll end up with a hook or some more of what you dont want.

Good Luck

I agree. It just occurred to me (I'm pretty good at this shot since I have to use it so much!) that in a lot of ways it's like an extra long chip shot ...lower body needs to be pretty quiet for success.