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Smooth Out Uneven Lies

IMG_0378Here are a few general tips to help you succeed with those frustrating yet common uneven surfaces on the links:

  • Down Hill Lie: In your set up, make sure your shoulder line is parallel to the slope. Your weight distribution will be more on the FRONT LEG (down hill leg). Play the ball BACK in your stance. In general, the ball will have a tendency to come out LOW and to the RIGHT.
  • Up Hill Lie: Again, set up with your shoulder line parallel to the slope. More weight will be on your BACK LEG (down hill leg).  Play the ball in the MIDDLE of your stance (Yes, this is unorthodox.  Most would suggest forward in the stance, but from my personal experience, middle is more effective for solid ball contact).  The ball will have a tendency to come out HIGH and often times to the LEFT.  Make sure you have enough club to adjusting for the higher trajectory.
  • Side Hill – Ball ABOVE feet: Grip DOWN on the club to make the club shorter.  Play the ball MIDDLE/BACK in your stance.  The ball will have a tendency to curve LEFT off of this lie (for right handed golfers).
  • Side Hill – Ball BELOW feet:  Widen your stance and bend your knees more to get closer to “level” with the ball without compromising posture. While swinging, commit to a 3/4 swing so that you can maintain posture/staying level throughout swing.  Because of the deeper knee bend at set up, golfers often “pop up and down” during the swing which causes poor contact. The ball will have a tendency to curve to the RIGHT.

Each slope is unique and requires good balance throughout the entire swing for solid contact (see exercise below to improve balance).  A practice swing will also help you determine the proper ball position for each challenging lie. Lastly, don’t try and fight the slope. . .it will always win.

 

Dodie Mazzuca is the Director of Instruction at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, AZ (November – April).  She also teaches golf in Santa Cruz, CA (May-October).

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