Having the ability to hit the golf ball low has many benefits. Perhaps the best example is when you hit a tee shot which lands close to the edge of the fairway on a parkland course and you are positioned under some low-hanging trees.
This prevents you playing your normal shot but should not stop you from finding the green or hitting your next target if playing a long par-5 hole.
The same situation applies if you are playing in strong wind. The higher you hit the ball, the more impact the wind will have on your shot. Therefore, you need to keep it low and this will prevent the wind from taking your ball off course.
To hit the ball low, you may think you need to change the club you would usually use from your position. Yes, a 6-iron will naturally hit the ball higher than a 3-iron and you will be tempted to use the latter instead if you want to keep the ball low.
Although you are advised not to use a very short iron such as a 9-iron, something like a 6-iron is fine and you do not need to change for a ‘lower’ club.
The key to hitting the ball lower is keeping the shot under control rather than thinking about generating power. To do this, take a slightly narrower stance than normal and grip down further on the club.
When taking your stance, you want the ball to be slightly back of centre and to place more weight on your front leg.
With the ball further back in your stance, you may find you cannot turn through the ball as you normally would but there is a simple fix for this problem by opening your stance. So, for right-handed players, you are aiming to the left of the target with your hips and feet. Doing this will compensate for playing the ball further back in your stance and prevent a pushed shot.
As you make your practice swing, think about where you want the ball to land and how far it will roll with a lower trajectory. The ball could run along the ground for up to 50% of the total distance it will travel so you must keep that in mind, especially if there is a hazard between you and the target area.
Finally, think about this shot like a punch shot and try and keep your follow through to a minimum. This will help to promote a lower ball flight.
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