! Scigolf presents Scott Hazledine Answers Your Golfing Questions On Your Golf Game.

Question 78

Dear Scott,
While watching the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii, I watched as numerous "knock down" shots were made. It made me think about what happens when I attempt to try this shot.
I know my fundementals are correct; ball back in stance - use an extra 1-2 clubs (5 iron instead of 7 iron, for example) - take a 3/4 swing - low follow-through.
But, when I make this shot, the ball usually slices off to the right -- nearly eight or nine out of every ten times.
Can you tell me if I'm leaving out another element for making this shot, so it will go straight?

Thanks for taking time to help,
Chuck

Dear Chuck,

Let me describe a "knock down shot, then I'll I answer your questions. Knock down shots are used to keep the ball flight low. Examples of when you play the shot are a branch of a tree in your way, or when you're playing into a strong wind and you want to stay below it, or when you want to have the ball run to the green.

Photo number 1 shows where I play the ball, off my sternum. My stance might change day to day so I measure from my sternum. An easy way to do this accurately is to use a club as a plumb bob.

Photo 1
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My hands are ahead of the ball at address.

Photo 2
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My backswing is shortened.

Photo 3
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At impact my hands are ahead of the ball. Notice that my nose is over my right knee.

Photo 4
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My follow through is low and restricted. My head is still back and my nose remains over my right knee. If you're ball flight is off to the right most likely it is because you've moved your body too far forward at impact.

Photo 5
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In photo number 6 my nose is forward of my right knee and the club face is open which causes the ball to go to the right.

Photo 6
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