The Troublesome Lies in the Golf Course, And How to Conquer Them!

Regardless of your best intention, the ball won’t always settle on level ground. Sooner or letter you will have to hit it off from a hilly lie. The position when the ball is above your feet, below your feet, on an upslope or on a down slope.

Playing the hill requires proper balance, club selection and ball flight. Here is how to make it.

We talk about it in a moment. But before that, do you know about the jealously guarded swing secrets only the pro golfers know and will NEVER share with you? Maybe you wan to discover it now… Just click here!

For Uphill/Downhill Lies:

To make a good swing and maintain your balance, set your hips and shoulders parallel to the slope. On uphill lie, that means moving your back foot (the right foot for a right-handed) slightly down the hill. When on downhill lie, position your forward foot (the left foot for a right-handed) down the hill.

In both cases, take your stance so the ball is closer to the higher foot. Swing the club along the angle of the hill. It is easy to lose balance. So, make a shorter-than-normal swing.

Slope influences the height and distance of your shots. Choose your club wisely. An uphill lie adds loft to the club, so the ball flies higher and not so far. Compensate it by taking a club with less lofts, for example hit a 5 or 6-iron form your usual 7-iron distance. Do it otherwise for a downhill lie. You need a more lofted club.

For Side Hill Lies:

You need to alter your posture when the ball is above or below your feet. And the lie is dictating how you should stand. A ball above your feet is closer to your hands, forcing you to stand taller and flattening your swing. When the ball is below you feet, it is farther and forcing you to bend more to reach it.

Changes to your swing will influence the ball flight. Flatter swing will make the shot curve right to left, allow for the draw by aiming to right. Steeper swing make it left to right, aim left at address to handle the fade.

Sure, the hilly lies are not the only challenge in a golf course. Ass an addition, you may want to think about how to handle the other “troublesome” lies you could expect to encounter in a golf course.

In The Mud:

This is not difficult. When you can handle it properly, your biggest concern is how to stay clean. If the ball sits on top of the mud, address it like you do a bunker shot: position it back in your stance about an inch, stand taller than usual and swing it easy.

When in the mud, just play it like you are in the sand, but use different club. Choose pitching wedge or a short iron, not the sand wedge. The reason is because the big flange will stick the muck, rather than get through. Close the club face a little, open your stance, take a firm grip and hit down on the ball. The deeper the ball is buried, the shorter it will fly. So, plan accordingly.

Divot Hole:

It is really irritating when you hit a good drive, only to find it in a divot hole at the fairway. Take it easy and calm yourself down. Just take an iron and set up for normal shot with some changes:

First, the face should be square to slightly closed. Your swing has to be steeper than your usual swing.

Second, you have to go down after the ball, because it is below the level of the fairway. Make a slow backswing, get set at the top and hit down hard. The ball will fly lower than usual then roll after landing. Overall, distance should be about normal for the club.

Perched Lie:

When the ball sits in a clump of long grass, be careful not to move it as your position the club head. Then think about putting the club head on the ball rather than tracing by passing under it. Stand taller than normal and choke down the club (if necessary).

Keep your backswing short, no more than halfway back. Make a shallow downswing and “sweep” the ball, don’t hit it down. Your main concern it about making a clean contact, rather than a great distance.