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Lies - Introduction

This is all about hitting from different lies, thanks to Seve Ballesteros.

Sloping lies involve uphill or down hill lies and the ball may lie above or below the feet. On a hilly course then there are nine likely alternatives: uphill and below feet, flat and above feet, downhill and even with feet etc. Only one of these is the one you practice on the driving range.

Different slopes cause the club to impart different sidespins to the ball and as a result you cannot always aim directly at the hole. It will often be necessary to open or close your stance. Correspondingly finding the right spot for addressing the ball is difficult and it may range widely. A practice swing will give you guidance here.

In taking your stance, let your body follow the slope. Stand perpendicular to ground and dig you feet in so that you don't lose your balance.

Rather than risking an overswing or hitting at the ball, swing evenly and take more club.

Uphill Lies

This is perhaps the easiest of the "slope" shots. The result of a shot from an uphill slope will likely be a slight draw. The steeper the slope, the greater your aim to the right should be. Most of your weight will be on the right leg, which is bent less as the left leg is bent to more. Your uphill stance has added loft to your club and this will reduce the distance hit, so that a normal 7 iron selection becomes a 6 iron or even a 5. You should find the best ball position but avoid placing it too far forward in your stance, since this will add height and lose distance.

During the backswing, the clubhead should start back close to the downward slope as long as possible to be sure that the vertical axis of the swing is perpendicular to the slope.

On the follow through, try to stay with ball but continue on to a full finish.

Downhill Lies

The downhill shot is much more difficult than the uphill and more emphasis has to be placed on keeping the vertical axis of the swing perpendicular to the ground. The uphill stance has reduced the loft of your club so that a normal 4 iron selection becomes a 5 iron or even a 6. The ball will run farther than expected.

The result of a shot from a downhill slope will likely be a fade and the steeper the slope, the greater your aim to the left should be. You should place the ball quite forward in your stance. During the backswing, the clubhead should start back close to the slope and the vertical axis of the swing is perpendicular to the slope.

Don't try to lift the ball up. During the swing, stay well down to avoid topping the shot and come to a full finish.

Lies Above Feet

Take a shorter grip on the club for this sidehill lie because you are closer to the ball. This shot will likely end up in a hook since there is a tendency to sweep through the ball. You will produce something of a roundhouse swing and its plane will be flatter that normal.

Therefore, consider aiming more to the right and taking less club.

Lies Below Feet

These are among the most difficult shots in golf. There is a real danger of not staying down, possibly topping the ball. At address you should bend over somewhat to reach the ball. Take a controlled swing to ensure good contact. Also you may need a lower club for distance.

A large proportion of these shots will fade or slice, so be sure to aim somewhat to the left. Keep your balance.