Is it possible to hit a low punch shot & make it check up?

Question

I was under a tree & needed to keep the shot low. Between by ball & the green was about a 50 yd carry over water, and I had a slight downhill lie. I chose a 6 iron for the shot due to the downhill lie and short distance. I ended up carrying the water & most of the green & of course it ran when it landed. Is there a way to make the ball check up in this situation, or is there possibly a better option (other than not hooking the ball into the tree in the first place)? Thank you

Answer 1

Lengthy shots are a bit harder. First, are you using a high spin ball? Secondly, I've had great luck with checking low balls from 20 and 30 yards over bunkers and such (though only low due to bare lies usually). Try either a high spin ball or hitting down hard on a higher lofted club as opposed to a less lofted club that is easier to hit low. A high spin ball can work wonders, though.

Answer 2

It is possible, having done it before, however, in this situation, you are almost always better playing it safe than to hit and hope. Take it from me a PGA Pro, dont be brave, be smart.

Answer 3

Being under a tree, with 50 yards over water carry, plus a downhill lie you were lucky enough to cross the pond to land your ball near the green. With that kind of situation it is almost impossible to get the ball to check upon landing on the other side of the pond.  

Anyway whatever it is, it is better to hit the fairways each time to avoid such uncompromising situations. Easier said than done though! :-)

Answer 4

you're not gonna get a 6 iron to check up w/o hitting it with a full swing.

it is possible to get the ball to check up with a low shot tho.  practice hitting your wedges with the ball way back in your stance.  i even practice with the ball behind my back foot.  keep your club face square with your target and make a solid swing at the ball (you need to put force into this shot).   what will happen is the ball will stay low and will usually make one big bounce on the green and then check up.

how it works:  what this does is lower the angle on your club face dramatically (thus hitting a lower shot) and gives you a steep angle of impact (giving you the spin).

this is a shot that takes lots of practice to master, but it's great when you need to keep the ball out of the wind, or if you're in the situation you found yourself in before.

good luck!

Answer 5

The loft on a 6 iron is not going to give you the necessary spin to get the ball to check up. Not with a punch shot. You would have to come down on the ball and that will make it pop up and not punch out.

You might try a more lofted club with the ball back in your stance. This will still pop it up a bit, but you should be able to get more spin on the ball.