| Golf Tips: How to Play Uneven Lies |
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By Jon Ebert
Golf Pro
Question: I feel comfortable with my swing when I have a level lie, but when the lie is not level, I have great difficulty getting into a comfortable setup position. Would you please explain the proper technique for playing uphill, downhill and side hill lies? -- R. H., Bonita Springs, Florida Answer: On uneven lies, the swing stays basically the same but the setup has to be altered. Club choice will also be affected. An uphill lie will promote a higher trajectory, requiring the player to use more club. A downhill lie will promote a lower trajectory, requiring the player to use less club. It's always best to use more club on side hill lies, whether the ball is above or below your feet, and swing easier than normal, as good balance is much easier to maintain. For uphill and downhill shots, work '"with" the slope instead of "against" it. Try, as much as possible, to simulate a level lie, by setting your body perpendicular to the slope. For the uphill lie, since the ball will fly higher than normal, take one more club than normal and play the ball farther forward in your stance. On the back swing, make sure you brace against your right leg, not allowing the knee to bow or "sway," as that motion is referred to. On the downswing, extra effort must be made to shift the weight to the left side, as gravity will be working against you. Try to finish your swing in perfect balance. This will encourage you to make a complete weight shift. For the downhill lie, select one less club than normal, as the ball will fly lower off the face of the club and carry farther. Play the ball back in your stance and make an effort to stay down through impact with your arms fully extended. The tendency on this lie is to pull up at impact in an effort to maintain balance. Try to keep the club on the ground for three inches past impact. Side hill lies also require some alterations in the setup. When the ball is above your feet, your weight will tend to settle back onto your heels. Therefore, address the ball with a bit more weight on your toes. Since your body is closer to the ball than it is on a flat lie, grip down or 'choke' the grip a little. Because the ball is above your feet, your swing plane will be flatter, more like a baseball swing. This will promote a hook, so aim more to the right to compensate for this. I usually use one more club than normal on these shots and swing with about 75% of my power. This helps my balance and enables me to hit the ball straighter. When the ball is below your feet, it's important to sit back on your heels and use the full length of the club. Your swing plane will become more upright and the ball will tend to slice, so aim the ball more to the left than normal. The hardest thing about this shot is staying down through impact. Keep your knees flexed and your arms fully extended through the hitting area. Again, use one more club than normal and swing 75 percent for balance and accuracy. On all these shots, the key is to swing within yourself. If you understand the effects that the slopes will have on your shots, and set up accordingly, then it's just a matter of making a smooth, balanced swing. You'll soon be able to control the flight of the ball from these awkward lies. (Golf professional Jon Ebert writes for the Naples Daily News in Florida.)
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