Why do I tend to hook knockdown shots?

[Chris Sturgess]

I (and I've noticed many other people) tend to hook knockdown shots. I play the ball back, maybe halfway between the center and right foot, might have my weight a little left at address. The shot has the lower trajectory that was intended, but a lot of times has a hook on it I did not intend. I have my ideas about why this happens, but I would like to hear Brian's and everyone else's.

 

[Leek]

I do it too. I think in my case it's because I angle hinge so the face is more closed to the path when the ball is back in my stance.

 

[rprevost]

Because your trying to use an abbreviated through-stroke anyway for the knock-down shot, you end up quitting your pivot early, instead of swinging all the way to post-impact, follow-through. If you quit your pivot, even a tad early, the face will close too quickly; hence the pull hook. Think about swinging all the way to follow-through with a low finish.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Because your trying to use an abbreviated through-stroke anyway for the knock-down shot, you end up quitting your pivot early, instead of swinging all the way to post-impact, follow-through. If you quit your pivot, even a tad early, the face will close too quickly; hence the pull hook. Think about swinging all the way to follow-through with a low finish.

bingo

 

[TYORKE1]

Stand as close as possible and hold on for dear life, low fades, TIM

 

[Chris Sturgess]

I like what rprevost said about quitting on it. My thoughts were that I hooked it because the ball being back made it hard for me to turn my hips normally. But I never really considered that a lot is probably from my hips quitting early due to anticipating a shorter finish. However, when the ball is not back in the stance, when it's in the middle or slightly forward from middle and a make a half or three quarter swing I don't hook it or quit on it. So it is not only the smaller swing but the back ball postion is a big factor. Somehow the back ball position makes me want to quit on it. Any thoughts on that? I feel like it might be because it makes my body so much ahead of the ball that I feel like I have to pause and go back and get it, which is of course bad news. What do you think?

 

[rprevost]

Keep your mind in your hands and swing to follow through.

 

[birdie_man]

Could it be an axis tilt thing?

 

[Cope]

hooking knockdowns

Quitting or no quitting. Face is too closed relative to path.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Ah....

The Punch Shot.

Because a real punch shot uses so much RIGHT ARM THRUST, as opposed to using your pivot and swinging procedure, you need a SLOW START DOWN or your right arm will make your POWER PACKAGE (arms, hands, and club unit) OUTRACE your pivot and you will pull or hook it.

Slow start down...I call it "Hover first—then BOOM"!

 

[mjstrong]

I've seen some guys hook half shots simply becuase they tend to close the clubface on the way back. They would normally square the face with the last bit of wrist set in their backswing, but don't have that in their abbreviated swings, and will tend to leave the face closed.

Although, I'd agree with the above posts; the hands are probably taking over with your pivot stopping too early. "Hit half shots with your body, not your arms."

 

[Chris Sturgess]

That's a really good point mjstrong. I just realized I am definitely doing that.

 

[Kevin Shields]

Because your trying to use an abbreviated through-stroke anyway for the knock-down shot, you end up quitting your pivot early, instead of swinging all the way to post-impact, follow-through. If you quit your pivot, even a tad early, the face will close too quickly; hence the pull hook. Think about swinging all the way to follow-through with a low finish.

Quality post. For years the inability to master the punch or knockdown shot held me back. I realized a sudden pivot brake and hand path too far down the line was the culprit. My fix : Softer from the top, a lower angle of approach, and sustained pressure on the shaft going WAY more left than ever before

 

[Chris Sturgess]

All good points. Another thing is that with the ball back in my stance I just noticed I tend to grab the club with a stronger (hook) grip if I set the club at and angle (back ball position with forward shaft lean) with the clubface on the ground squared first and then grip it. That results in having a stronger hook grip for me and probably most people.

 

[pecky987]

hooked knockdown shots

it could be because you place the club by the ball right of centre, THEN grip the club. this strengthens your grip and when you come into the ball, you'll hav a closed club face. grip the club in your normal position first, THEN place the club behind the ball

 

[birdie_man]

I have had the same problem with hooking these shots like crazy.....it seems to be getting much better now that my plane line is better (not so right).....I've even been fading some of these low ones which is very exciting for me.

Now that my path is better I feel like I can move into these shots (which always scared the hell outta me) rather than hanging back.

 

[cmartingolf]

Knockdown? Stucco?

I think that's a horrible name for a shot and leads to some of the problem.

I played college golf at NMSU and it was super windy. I now live in Reno, NV and it's even windier. I love it when the wind blows as most players fold up tent and mail in their score. It adds a ton of fun to the game, so enjoy the challenge and creativity of playing a lower flighted ball.

Here's something that has helped me and it should help you.

Don't "knockdown" a darn thing. The moment I stopped trying to pound the oblivion out of the ball with a downward strike, the better my trajectory control became.

Simple thoughts:

Narrow, slightly open stance.
Ball feels as though it's in its normal location.
Choke up an inch.
Take 2 or 3 more clubs than you think you need. (You Amateurs out there try and hit knockdowns WAY too far and get all kinds of ballooning flight)
Lag the club and "wallop with the pivot.

To learn this, hit 5-irons 60-yards. If they get over head-high, you are "adding" or flipping it. Let the pivot heat up the arm swing a bit and watch the ball go incrementally farther. For the AVERAGE BEAR a "knockdown" or "punch" (hate that too) shouldn't go farther than 135. I hit a stock 5-iron 185 yards. I can hit it farther, but don't try to very often. My knockdown shot flies about 150 - 155 and then gets the ground +/- depending on moisture and slope.

Stop TRYING to hit the ball hard. Let the leverage pound it for you.

...and the next time its windy, don't cancel your tee time. Go enjoy it and call your travel agent and tee it at St. Andrews!