M L
GOLF
UNEVEN LIES ( SLOPES )
BY TOM ATKINSON , PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL
This months edition covers an area of the game I get asked about a lot , uneven lies ( slopes ). It ’ s not something you get much chance to practice , especially not off a flat driving range bay .
To make solid contact from uneven ground , the most important thing is to take what the slope offers . Don ’ t fight it , use it . Adjust your setup and swing to accommodate it . Here are three changes you should make for every sloping lie you face :
• Stand a little wider for extra stability .
• Lean with the slope , gravity will pull you downhill during the swing .
• Don ' t swing full out , more like 70 or 80 percent to keep your balance .
Specifics for each of the four lies you will encounter are covered below :
1 . DOWNHILL
When playing from a downslope , take less club because the hill delofts the club face making the club in your hand play stronger and go further . As always try and stand perpendicular to the land . If you don ' t angle your shoulders , your body will be tilted back relative to the hill , and you ' ll likely hit behind the ball .
Shots from downhill lies tend to go to the right because you ' re extending your arms down the slope . In essence , you ' re holding off rotation , which can leave the face open at impact . But don ' t worry about releasing through the ball just aim a little left to accommodate .
2 . UPHILL
On an upslope , take a longer club because the upward angle of the hill tilts the clubface back , adding loft , making your club play weaker and go shorter . Try to get your shoulders perpendicular to the hill . If your shoulders are too level , you ' ll dump the clubhead steeply into the ground at impact . Swing with the angle of the slope , not against it . You should also adjust your aim at address . Going uphill , you tend to hit the ball left because your hands and arms are releasing upward through impact , and that causes the clubface to rotate closed . So aim your body and club right of where you normally would .
3 . BALL BELOW
4 . BALL ABOVE
The biggest hurdle from this lie is getting down to the ball and staying there through impact . The tendency is to pull up or move onto your toes , both of which lead to poor contact . You really have to squat down and lean into the slope to lower your centre of gravity .
Because of this awkward squat position , body turn during the swing is restricted , so it ' s more of a handsand arms feel . Keep the flex in your knees , don ’ t be tempted to extend . Still , your swing will tend to be more up and down , which means less clubface rotation , so aim left to guard against missing to the right .
This slope brings the ball closer to you , so you naturally stand a little taller . Grip down the shaft an inch or two to accommodate the shorter reach to the ball , favour your toes with the pressure as the slope will try and kick you into your heels .
From this upright posture , the swing will be flatter or more around the body , like a baseball swing . That creates more hand and arm rotation through the shot , with the clubface closing at a faster rate on the downswing . So the tendency with the ball above your feet is to hit it to the left . Aim right to accommodate
These lies are tricky , but more than manageable if thought about carefully . If you ’ re out on the course by yourself then throw a few balls down and give it a go . Experience is the only way to truly understand what your ball is likely to do .
58 merseylife . com