A knockdown shot is a little bit more advanced skill which you don’t need to get through a round of golf, but adding it is a good idea and could drastically improve your ability to control the ball in wind.
A knockdown shot will stay lower with more backspin, allowing it to keep a truer flight and be less effected by the wind. This can help you keep the ball in play off the tee and attack the pin a little more confidently in windy conditions. Tiger Woods is famous for hitting this shot, you may have heard announcers refer to him hitting his “knockdown 3-wood” off the tee when he needs control. He doesn’t necessarily limit himself to playing it in the wind because he knows it is a safe shot. If you learn to hit this shot you may find yourself leaning on it in days when you just can’t find your rhythm and control is lacking.
Hitting the Knockdown shot sounds easy but can take some time to become comfortable with. Know that you will have to hit a lot of balls at the range before using it on the course.
- To hit it simply move the ball back in your stance to a little forward of center.
- Rotate back without a lot of weight transfer, your not going to load up on your back foot as much as a normal swing.
- Think 1/2 to 3/4 swing. The shot won’t work if you over swing. It is meant to have less body rotation and and takeaway than a normal full swing. Keep your whole hands below shoulder level on the back swing.
- Swing through smoothly and keep your head on the ball the entire time. This is actually easier with a knockdown than a normal swing and this will promote crisp ballstriking. You want to minimize your divot so think smooth fluid contact.
- Remember to take a little more club than you would otherwise.
- As with all swings do not think about your finish. How you finish is a result of everything you have done prior to hitting the ball. If you have issues with your finish it is due to poor setup and or swing mechanics. Trying to mold your fnish a certain way is useless since the ball is already in flight.
- Practice and more practice.
Learn to use this shot and you may be suprised how often you go to it on the course. It is useful in a variety of situations and easy to learn if you put in the time. If you are a high handicapper you may find the crisp contact with this stroke gives you as much/more distance than a full swing and much more control!
Keep playing and enjoying!
Tags: Knock Down Shot, Knockdown Shot, Wind golf
