Jack Nicklaus's Low Shot into the Wind: Two Methods
When playing into the wind, an amateur’s ball rises and then falls short. Jack Nicklaus demonstrates his two methods for keeping the ball low, and how to combine them by choosing a longer club held lower in the swing.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Method 1: Move the ball back in your stance and close the clubface. The ball is struck slightly further down the swing path, the clubface loses loft, and it returns square a little earlier in the swing. Second method: keep exactly the same swing, but take Use a longer club and move your hands down the shaft four or five inches. Less loft keeps the ball low, a shorter shaft reduces distance and speed, and the ball spins less.
The classic mistake: using a club that’s too short and swinging too hard. The ball starts low, suddenly rises into the wind, and lands about 20 yards short of the target. Nicklaus advises to combine the two methods. With a long iron, positioning the ball back on the ground and keeping the clubface slightly closed produces little spin and a slight draw, which keeps the ball low. The shorter the shot, the further down the shaft you grip the club: for a 5-iron distance, use a 3- or 4-iron; for an 8-iron, use a 6-iron; and for a wedge-length shot, use a 7- or 8-iron held very low.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Estimate the distance as usual, then choose a club or two longer.
- Move your hands down the grip by four or five inches, depending on the shot.
- Move the ball back in your stance.
- Close the side at the address slightly.
- Take your normal swing—don't swing any harder.
- For a short shot, extend the club further and grip the shaft lower.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Keep the club at the normal distance when facing the wind.
- Compensate by hitting harder: the ball rises and falls short.
- Change your swing instead of adjusting your stance.
- Forgetting to move the ball back when closing the clubface.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Hit an 8-iron shot with a 6-iron held lower, like Nicklaus
- Alternate between a normal shot and a back-foot shot, with a slightly closed stance, to compare the height
- Maintain the same swing rhythm on every shot
- For each distance, note which club keeps the ball low
Your Questions
Which club should I use for an 8-iron shot into the wind?
Jack Nicklaus picks up a 6-iron and grips it low on the shaft. For a 5-iron distance, he recommends a 3- or 4-iron; for a shot close to a wedge, a 7- or 8-iron held very low.
Why does closing the clubface make the ball fly lower?
A closed clubface reduces loft. With the ball positioned farther back, the clubface is set at a slightly steeper angle, causing the ball to fly lower, with a slight draw that helps keep it low.
Why does my ball rise when I hit it hard into the wind?
According to Nicklaus, the amateur chooses a club that’s too short and swings too hard: the ball starts low, then rises into the wind and falls short. A longer club played normally avoids this pitfall.
With a long iron, is spin still an issue?
No: Hit the ball from the back of the green with a 1- or 2-iron; the ball will have little spin and is unlikely to rise.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jack Nicklaus). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.