Golf Swing And Sloping Lies

The major problem that sloped present is that they move the ball from its normal position in the stance, either further forward or back, or higher or lower, leaving most golfers unsure of what to do next.

Given the option of adjusting their address position or improving their swing to reach the ball, most players wrongly take the latter option.

Addressing the ball

The key to playing from any kind of slope, uphill, downhill or side hill, is to set up in such a way that you can still use your normal swing to play the shot. It is better to adjust your address position than to manufacture a swing that you have never tried before.

When the ball is above your feet, for example, you should stand a little more upright and choke down on the grip to compensate for the fact that the ball is nearer your body. When the ball is below your feet, the opposite approach should be taken.

On uphill and downhill lies, the first thing to do is to amend your set up so that your shoulders are as close as possible to level with the slope in question. By doing this, you effectively recreate a flat lie, which enables you to use your normal swing to play the shot.

Ball below feet

When the ball is below your feet, it is farther away from you. Allow for this by tilting forwards more with your body, increasing your knee flex and gripping the club towards the end of the handle.

The tendency is to swing the club on a steep plane, which produces a shot that flied from left to right. Allow for this by aiming left of your intended target.