Let us talk about playing shots from lies where the ground is not level.
There are 3 sloping lies:
- Side hill Lie: The hill is rising to the left or right of the player
- Uphill Lie: The hill rises in front of the player; the ball rests higher than the player’s feet.
- Downhill Lie: The hill descends in front of the player; the ball is lower than the player’s feet.
Among the 3 the sidehill lie requires more adjustments in terms of ball position and weight balance.
(1) Sidehill Lies
To hit a golf shot from a sidehill lie, adjust your stance to match the slope and aim to counteract the ball’s natural curve.
(a) Ball is above your feet
Stand taller, choke down on the club, and aim right because the ball will tend to curve left.
The ball is placed toward your high foot, the weight in your low (back) foot and remains there during the swing.
The steeper the hill, the ball should be farther toward your high foot. Your body is tilted to fit the hill and stays in this tilted pose so that you can swing with the hill.
- Stance: Stand taller, and grip the club lower on the handle.
- Aim: Aim to the right of your target because the ball will tend to curve left.
- Swing: Take a less-than-full swing and a more shallow backswing to match the slope
(b) Ball below your feet
The ball is placed toward your high (back) foot, the weight is on your low foot and remains there during the swing. The steeper the hill, the ball should be farther toward your high foot. Because the ball is placed toward the back foot, the shot shall have a lower trajectory; that’s why select a higher number iron club for this shot. Do not use a wood from this type of sidehill lie.
- Stance: Bend your knees more and lean forward from your hips, keeping weight on your toes for balance.
- Grip: Grip the club at its full length.
- Aim: Aim to the left of your target because the ball will tend to curve right.
- Swing: Use a more upright swing and hit down on the ball to avoid topping it.
- Ball position: Move the ball slightly back in your stance to make contact before the ground
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Facing an uphill lie, the ball is above your feet.
For the ball and clubhead positions your address position is the same as a level lie. Place the club in the center of your stance. However, your body will be in a more erect position due to the hill. The swing from uphill lie will have a flatter plane. Often the ball is struck with a hooking spin tending to the left. If you want to avoid a tendency for the ball to be struck with a hooking spin, do these:
At the address position, place the clubface slightly open instead of placing the clubhead square to the target line.
At the address position, place the ball toward the back foot and place the clubhead behind the ball in a fanned position; facing now to the right (for right hand players).
Setup Adjustments
- Take one extra club: The slope adds loft, so a 9-iron will act more like a pitching wedge, for example.
- Align shoulders with the slope: This allows you to swing along the incline rather than fighting it.
- Aim right: The ball will tend to hook or draw left, so aim to the right of your target to compensate.
- Place the ball slightly forward: Move it slightly ahead of your normal position to prevent digging into the hill and to help catch the ball with the slope
Swing and balance
- Weight on trail foot: Shift your weight slightly to your back (trail) foot to match the slope and maintain balance.
- Swing with the slope: Make your swing motion follow the incline of the hill to hit a cleaner shot.
- Maintain posture: Stay in your tilted posture throughout the swing to avoid falling back
(3) Downhill Lie
Here the ball lies below your feet. If you take the normal address position (club in the center of your stance, weight equally distributed on your feet), this could be a bit uncomfortable. Your body will have an excessive forward bend especially at steeper slopes. To avoid your body bending over, widen your stance in order to lower the center, i.e. the midpoint between your shoulders. It will also make it easier to reach the ball.
Setup & Stance
- Align with the slope: Tilt your shoulders and spine so they are perpendicular to the slope to match the ground.
- Position the ball: Move the ball back in your stance, closer to the middle or slightly back of the center.
- Adjust your feet: Point your lead foot’s toe slightly down the slope to help with balance and alignment.
- Widen your stance: A wider stance provides better balance and stability when you are leaning into the slope.
- Aim left: Aim your body and clubface slightly left of the target to compensate for the ball’s tendency to go right on this type of lie
Swing & follow-through
- Swing down the slope: Your swing path should follow the line of the slope to ensure you hit the ball first, followed by a divot in the correct direction.
- Avoid scooping: Do not try to lift the ball into the air. Instead, let the slope and your swing path do the work.
- Maintain balance: Focus your weight and balance over your feet throughout the swing.
- Expect a lower ball flight: The downhill lie will naturally deloft the club, causing the ball to come out lower and potentially travel farther.
- Use a club with more loft: Because the club is delofted, consider using a club with more loft than you normally would for the distance.
- Complete the follow-through: A full swing motion is still important, but your follow-through might be a bit shorter and lower than normal
Remember Ball Direction from Non-Level Lies
- Sidehill Lies: The ball will be directed in the direction of the foot toward which the ball is placed. If the ball is placed toward the left foot, it will go to the left. If it is placed toward the right foot, it will travel to the right
- Uphill & Downhill Lies: The ball will be directed in the same direction as it would go if it were putted.
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