Hitting From a Slope
Despite your best intentions, the ball won't always settle on level
ground. Eventually you'll have to hit off a hilly lie -- the ball above
your feet, below your feet, on an upslope, or on a down slope.
Playing off a hill requires proper balance, club selection, and ball
flight. Here's how to make the grade from any grade.
Uphill/Downhill Lies
To make a good swing and maintain your balance, set your hips and
shoulders parallel to the slope. On an uphill lie that means moving
your back foot (the right foot for a right-hander) slightly down the
hill; on a downhill lie, reposition your forward (left) foot down the
hill.
In both cases, take your stance so the ball is closer to the higher foot
(left on an uphill lie, right on a downhill). Swing the club along the
angle of the hill. The steeper the incline, the easier it is to lose
balance, so make a shorter-than-normal swing.
Slope also influences the height and distance of shots, making club
selection crucial. An uphill lie adds loft to the club so the ball flies
higher and not as far; compensate by taking a club with less loft (for
example, hit a 5- or 6-iron from your usual 7-iron distance).
Reverse the procedure from a downhill lie, where you need a more-
lofted club. Finally, resist the temptation to help the ball into the air
off a downhill lie; the club can do it.
Side Hill Lies
A ball above or below your feet demands altering your posture, with
the lie dictating how to stand. A ball above your feet is closer to your
hands, forcing you to stand taller but also flattening your swing (the
club moves more around the body); conversely, a ball below your
feet is farther away, forcing you to bend more to reach it (and
creating a more up and down swing).
The changes to your swing influence ball flight. The flatter swing
produced when the ball is above your feet means the shot will curve
right to left; allow for the draw by aiming to the right. The steeper
swing caused by a ball below your feet creates a left-to-right
pattern; aim left at address to handle that fade.