| Wouldn't it be nice if all our golf ball lies were as level | | | | Ball above feet |
| as they are on the driving range? Unfortunately they | | | | When the ball is above your feet, you are standing |
| are not...and golf would not be as interesting if they | | | | more upright and therefore the swing becomes |
| were! | | | | flatter. A flat swing will encourage a draw or hook, |
| We often find ourselves in situations where the ball is | | | | and the ball will tend to have a lower trajectory, |
| above of below our feet, or we are hitting from an | | | | flying further. To play this shot take less club and |
| up or down hill lie. All of these lies affect the way the | | | | align yourself slightly right of target to allow for the |
| shot is played and how the ball will fly. So how should | | | | draw/hook effect. |
| you play these shots? | | | | Ball below feet |
| Uphill LiesWhen you are hitting from an uphill lie, the | | | | This could be the hardest shot in golf! The ball is |
| ball will fly higher than normal. The slope you are | | | | easily caught thin as you are "reaching" for it. The ball |
| hitting up effectively adds loft to the club. So take an | | | | will also have a tendency to fly to the right of the |
| extra club to compensate. Always try and align | | | | target because of the fade/slice spin applied by |
| yourself perpendicular to the slope. This will stop you | | | | coming in to the ball from a slightly steeper angle. To |
| coming in too steep on the shot. | | | | play this shot well you need to make sure you "sit" in |
| Downhill Lies | | | | your stance a bit more and align a touch left of |
| When you are hitting from a downhill lie, the ball will | | | | target. |
| fly lower than normal. The slope you are hitting up | | | | One Final Tip |
| effectively removes loft from the club. So take less | | | | Most important in all these shots is to maintain |
| club to compensate. Again, always try and align | | | | balance. |
| yourself perpendicular to the slope. Play the ball | | | | Next time you are practicing, try and find an area to |
| slightly back in your stance to reduce the chance of | | | | play from that is not level so you can learn to play |
| hitting the ground first. | | | | uneven lies. |