GOLF LESSONS

CLUBFACE GOLF: THE SIDEHILL SHOT

Most golfers strive to improve the mechanics of their golf swing in order to lower their scores. Too often, golfers only practice their golf swings at a driving range where the lies are always flat. It’s important to remember, however, that not all golf shots will be taken from the tee or flat piece of land ground. Learning to predict what is likely to happen to the ball from difficult lies on sloping fairways is an important skill to master. In terms of uneven lies, there are two common ball positions. In the first, the ball is above your feet, and in the second the ball is below your feet. It is important to realize that the ball will generally move in the direction of the hill's slope. That means when the ball is above your feet, the ball will move right to left. When the ball is below your feet, it will move left to right. The greater the hill's slope, the more your ball will move in that direction.

Having a solid, fundamentally sound golf swing is important, and with a few adjustments you should be able to successfully execute a solid shot from a sidehill lie.

Sidehill Lie – Ball Above Your Feet:

1. Because the ball is going to move right to left, aim yourself to the right of the target. Take into account the severity of the slope as it will determine how far right you need to aim.
2. Stand tall as you address the ball. Many golfers need to choke down on their golf club a bit when executing a shot where the ball is about your feet.
3. As you swing, imagine that you are wrapping the club around your body on a flatter plane than your typical golf swing. Perhaps thinking of a baseball swing will help you visualize what this golf swing should look like.

Sidehill Lie – Ball Below Your Feet:

1. As with any sidehill shot, the direction the ball will travel depends on the slope of the lie. Since a ball sitting below your feet will move left to right, you need to aim yourself to the left of your target.
2. Because the golf ball is below your feet, you need to allow for extra bend in your knees so that you can comfortably reach down to the ball and stay low throughout the golf swing.
3. To execute this golf shot, you need to have more of an up and down movement than with your typical golf swing.
4. With practice, this golf shot should start left of the target and move right toward the flag.

Don't be afraid of these shots because with just a few swing adjustments you should be able to perform them correctly. Also, keep in mind that on all shots where you have to alter your swing, maintaining a nice rhythm to your swing is essential.