The
Golf Stance when faced with Uphill, Downhill and
Sidehill Lies
When playing golf, your golf stance must be adjusted when faced with shots that are not on level ground. You could
be hitting uphill, downhill or sidehill shots.
Although these lies can affect the result of your shots, you
should always try to maintain your balance during your swing.
There are five factors to consider when hitting from these lies:
- Ball Position
- Club Selection
- Trajectory
- Ball Flight
- The Swing
Uphill lie: (Senario, your golf stance
using a 5 iron )
Ball
position: opposite the left heel
or towards the higher foot.
Club
Selection: may need
a lower lofted club depending on the angle of the
slope.
Trajectory:
the
ball may stop quicker upon landing depending on the angle of
the slope.
Ball Flight: The ball may tend to travel from right
to left (Draw or Hook) from an uphill shot so you
should consider aiming slightly right of the target.
The Swing:
Try to ensure that you swing the club parallel to the angle of the
slope and not into the slope.
Downhill
lie:
(Senario, your golf stance
using a 5 iron )
Ball
position: middle or slightly
behind middle of your stance (towards the higher
foot).
Club
Selection: may need
a higher lofted club depending on the angle of the
slope.
Trajectory:
The ball may roll more upon
landing depending on the angle of the
slope.
Ball
Flight: The ball
tends to travel from left to right (Fade or Slice) from a
dowhill lie so you should consider aiming slightly left of the
target.
The
Swing: Again
try to ensure that you swing the club parallel to the angle of the
slope and not into the slope.
Ball
below your feet:
(Senario, your golf stance
using a 5 iron )
Ball
position: inside of left heel similar to
the same shot from level ground.
Club
Selection: use the
same club as if you were on level ground.
Trajectory: same as a shot from level ground.
Ball
Flight: The ball may
tend to travel from left to right (Fade or Slice) from a side hill lie
when the ball is below your feet so aim slightly left of the
target.
The
Swing: In order to reach the ball
with the correct posture, you will have to flex your knees
more and maintain that degree of flex through contact with the
ball. The angle of the swing will tend to be more upright
(Vertical) because the ball will be closer to your feet.
Ball above your
feet:
(Senario, your golf stance
using a 5 iron )
Ball
position: inside of left heel similar to
the same shot from level ground.
Club
Selection: use the
same club as if you where on level ground.
Trajectory:
same
as a shot from level ground.
Ball
Flight: The ball may
tend to travel from right to left (Draw or Hook) from
a side hill lie when the ball is above your feet so
aim slightly right of the target.
The
Swing:
If you choke up on the club (Shorten your grip) you will have better
control with this shot. The angle of the swing will tend
to be flatter (More Horizontal) than normal because the ball will be
farther from your feet.
Happy
Golfing!!!
Topping
the Ball
Uphill, Downhill and
Sidehill Lies
Pushing & Pulling
your Shots
Playing in
the Rain
You can click here
to go back to the Home Page!
