How to Play Golf Shots from Uneven Lies
Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2008
by Mark Pearson
HotBizPro
Wouldn't be nice if all our golf ball lies were as level as they are on the driving range? Unfortunately they are not...and golf would not be as interesting if they were!
We often find ourselves in situations where the ball is above of below our feet, or we are hitting from an up or down hill lie. All of these lies affect the way the shot is played and how the ball will fly. So how should you play these shots?
Uphill Lies
When you are hitting from an uphill lie, the ball will fly higher than normal. The slope you are hitting up effectively adds loft to the club. So take an extra club to compensate. Always try and align yourself perpendicular to the slope. This will stop you coming in too steep on the shot.
Downhill Lies
When you are hitting from a downhill lie, the ball will fly lower than normal. The slope you are hitting up effectively removes loft from the club. So take less club to compensate. Again, always try and align yourself perpendicular to the slope. Play the ball slightly back in your stance to reduce the chance of hitting the ground first.
Ball above feet
When the ball is above your feet, you are standing more upright and therefore the swing becomes flatter. A flat swing will encourage a draw or hook, and the ball will tend to have a lower trajectory, flying further. To play this shot take less club and align yourself slightly right of target to allow for the draw/hook effect.
Ball below feet
This could be the hardest shot in golf! The ball is easily caught thin as you are "reaching" for it. The ball will also have a tendency to fly to the right of the target because of the fade/slice spin applied by coming in to the ball from a slightly steeper angle. To play this shot well you need to make sure you "sit" in your stance a bit more and align a touch left of target.
We often find ourselves in situations where the ball is above of below our feet, or we are hitting from an up or down hill lie. All of these lies affect the way the shot is played and how the ball will fly. So how should you play these shots?
When you are hitting from an uphill lie, the ball will fly higher than normal. The slope you are hitting up effectively adds loft to the club. So take an extra club to compensate. Always try and align yourself perpendicular to the slope. This will stop you coming in too steep on the shot.
Downhill Lies
When you are hitting from a downhill lie, the ball will fly lower than normal. The slope you are hitting up effectively removes loft from the club. So take less club to compensate. Again, always try and align yourself perpendicular to the slope. Play the ball slightly back in your stance to reduce the chance of hitting the ground first.
Ball above feet
When the ball is above your feet, you are standing more upright and therefore the swing becomes flatter. A flat swing will encourage a draw or hook, and the ball will tend to have a lower trajectory, flying further. To play this shot take less club and align yourself slightly right of target to allow for the draw/hook effect.
Ball below feet
This could be the hardest shot in golf! The ball is easily caught thin as you are "reaching" for it. The ball will also have a tendency to fly to the right of the target because of the fade/slice spin applied by coming in to the ball from a slightly steeper angle. To play this shot well you need to make sure you "sit" in your stance a bit more and align a touch left of target.
One Final Tip
Most important in all these shots is to maintain your balance.
Next time you are practicing, try and find an area to play from that is not level so you can learn to play uneven lies.
About the Author
MARK PEARSON plays and coaches golf professionally in the UK . With over 25 years golfing experience, Mark teaches a combination of good technique and proper course management techniques to enable golfers to get the most from their games. Mark is the author of "How to Master Putting and Putt like a Pro" and offers a FREE 7 Day E-Course on "Course Management Keys". More information is available at http://www.masterputting.com
(c) Copyright - Mark Pearson. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Mike, some helpful tips I'll give a try the next time out. I always seem to be in a ditch. RTM
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