Most of the swings that people make on the practice range are from ground that is more or less level. However, as you play the game, you soon realize that many shots are played from less than level lies. Standing to the ball without making the necessary adjustments often results in less than desired outcomes. This article will be helpful for understanding how your swing and ball flight is affected with the ever changing playing conditions.
Here are some general guidelines for playing shots from ground that is not level.
- Golfers should always make adjustment to their stance to neutralize the slope of the hill. Create as close as possible the feeling of a level lie.
- Off slopes and hills (ball above or below feet), the flight of the ball will spin or fly away from the high side, in the direction of the low side of the slope. i.e. balls above your feet go left, to the low side of the slope. Balls below your feet fly right, away from the high side of the slope.
- From uphill and downhill lies, balls tend to follow the slope in the direction they are being played. Ball flight is higher and shorter from uphill lies (therefore, use more club, i.e. instead of a 7 iron use a 6 iron). Ball flight is lower and typically travels longer from downhill lies (this means it typically runs on the ground further so instead of a 6 iron use a 7 iron. This can, however, pose a dilemma if a hazard is in the way of the green. Always make sure you can fly the hazard and rely on a good chip or long putt from beyond the hole location).
Allow me to further explain uneven lies.
Ball Above Feet
The ball is now closer to your chest, than from what is a typical level ground lie. This will cause the swing to move around the body, on a flatter swing plane (more like a baseball swing). The ball is positioned more in the center of the stance. Use a wider stance with the weight distributed equal from heel to toes. The swing has a tendency to make the ball hook or be pulled. The more loft the club has, the more the ball goes left. The steeper the slope, the more the ball goes left. You may want to consider opening the clubface at address, and hold the club a bit shorter for better control of the club.
Ball Below Feet
The ball is now further away from your chest, than from a typical level ground lie. Accordingly, you are now standing with your feet closer to the ball. Position the ball in the center of your stance, use a wider stance with the weight distributed equal from heel to toes. The swing has a tendency to make the ball push or be sliced to the right. The less loft the club has, the more the ball goes right (3, 4, & 5 irons). The steeper the slope, the more the ball goes right. You may want to consider closing the clubface at address, with more knee flex and spine tilt.
Up Hill
Adjust your shoulders, hips and knees (without changing balance) parallel to the slope of the hill. Keep your body weight with the slope. Use a wider stance with the ball positioned a little forward of middle. Consider using more club (the steeper the slope, less clubface loft will be needed). Aim a little right and swing flat footed to the hill. The swing has a tendency to pull the ball slightly.
Down Hill
Adjust your shoulders, hips and knees (without changing balance) parallel to the slope of the hill. Keep your body weight with the slope. Use a wider stance with the ball positioned a little back of middle. Consider using less club (the steeper the slope, more clubface loft will be needed). Aim a little left and swing flat footed to the hill. The swing has a tendency to push the ball slightly.
Always remember, without taking into consideration the changes needed for uneven lies, the results from the swing will be less than optimal or ideal. Perhaps you could just get lucky, but I would not count on it too often.