I always seem to mess up the golf shot from a hardpan line. I will skull the golf ball or just seem to hit a real thin golf shot. Is there a particular golf club that is better than others for this shot?

This golf shot can be intimidating but it doesn’t have to be. I don’t advocate any particular golf club, I believe it’s more about the mechanics of your golf swing on this particular shot.

First, remember that if you have this golf shot, you are in recovery mode. You hit the golf ball where you were not supposed to! So first things first, you are recovering, not necessarily going for the green. Pick the best spot for your golf ball to end up for an easy next shot. Don’t try to force a “Tiger miracle” golf swing.

Second, take a little more golf club than you need and shorten your back swing. Also choke down slightly on the golf club. The main thing you want is solid contact with the golf ball and this will help.

Take about a three-quarter golf swing and swing down just like hitting from the fairway. By shortening your backswing and choking down slightly you won’t have to worry about your golf clubs or your wrists. It is not going to be a “bee sting in the wrist or elbow” shot. You want a normal impact and you hit it thin many times because you are trying to “pick” the golf ball clean off the hardpan.

I have found this to work very effectively. It may not be what the golf pros normally recommend, but again, this is The Golf Nut—helping amateurs with what works for us.
Good luck!