This set of tips will be How to play: sidehill Lies How To Play The 'ball Below The Feet' Shot
There Are Two More Common Awkward Lie Shots That We Are Faced With:- 1) The 'ball Above The Feet' Shot And 2) The 'ball Below The Feet' Shot.
How to play the 'ball above the feet' shot
1) Aim: To allow for the hook spin, the aim should be to the right of target; how much will be determined by the severity of the slope.
2) Hold: Grip the club as normal. As the slope becomes greater, the club may be held lower down to aid control.
3) Posture: This is to be taken as normal, but due to the slope, the player's spine angle will be more upright. This, in turn, will lead to a more rounded motion (a flatter swing) which will encourage the clubface to close more quickly.
4) Stance and Body Aim: Stance should remain as normal but as you take your swing gravity will try to pull you out of your posture. Your weight should, therefore, favour the toes a little more than usual. Body Aim should be as normal; parallel to the clubface.
5) Ball Position: Due to the clubface closing more quickly, the ball needs to be placed further back in the stance than normal.
6) Swing: Try to swing the club as normal as possible but take note that due to the effect of the slope, your arms will swing more across the body than usual.
How to play the 'ball below the feet' shot
1) Club selection: A less lofted club will be required.
2) Grip and clubface aim: Grip the club as normal; or as the slope becomes more severe, hold the club towards the end of the grip to aid control. Clubface aim should be left of the target.
3) Posture &Stance: Your stance should be wider than normal with more weight favouring your heels; flexing of the knees will help keep good balance. Your posture will be more bent over. This will lead a more upright swing.
5) Body Aim and Ball Position: Your body aim should be parallel to your clubface aim which will be left of the target. Ball position on smaller slopes can be played as normal. On more severe slopes, play the ball further back in the stance to accommodate a steeper angle of approach.
6) Swing: Trust your set up and try to swing as normal; remember to be aggressive. As already noted, the swing will be a more 'hand and arm' motion and a more upright swing.
Tips For Those Golfers Who 'slice'
If you struggle with a 'slice' i.e. a ball that travels from left to right, this ball flight is due to a steep 'out to in' swing path.
Practice hitting balls from the 'ball above the feet', this will give you a more rounded swing attacking the ball from an inside swing path.
Tips For Those Golfers Who 'hook'
IF you struggle with a 'hook' i.e. a ball that travels from right to left, this ball flight is due to a shallow 'in to out' swing path.
Practice hitting balls from the 'ball below your feet', it will help create a more solid strike and on line swing through impact.