Dealing With Downhill Slopes on a Golf Course

Where I lived in The Borders of Scotland, I would sporadically play golf on a course which was on the side of a large hill. Apart from a few holes, the bulk of them are either straight uphill or downhill. It was these holes with downhill slopes that gave me the more trouble.

For those of you that have played a golf course like that, you almost definitely know how difficult hitting from a downward lie can be. It is principally difficult for recreational players, who've not much experience hitting from this type of lie. Hitting off a downhill slope is largely a matter of making the correct adjustments. Here are a few modifications that will allow you to play from a downhill slope.

Consideration for the Downhill Slope Shot

Essentially, you should position the ball back in your position, swing using the slope, and chase the golf ball down the slope. There are a couple of things to bear in mind when confronted with a downhill lie; a shot from a down slope has a tendency to fade right plus the slope will influence your club selection. Even when you hit the ball cleanly, it is going to have a tendency to fade right, so learn to deal with it by aiming slightly left of the target.

Club Choice for a Downward Slope

A downhill slope affects the balls distance and height, as a result you should make changes with your club selection. A downward slope will decrease the loft of the club so that the ball flies lower and further. When you would usually hit a 6-iron for the distance to the target, try hitting an 8-iron. The amount of adjustment, or how much less club you will require, will depend on the inclination of the slope. Only personal practice can tell you how much more club to hit.

Change Your Set-up

To effectively hit a golf ball from the downhill slope, you'll need to make some modifications. The most important thing to undertake is maintain your balance; that suggests ensuring your back is vertical with the slope and your weight is on your front foot. As a consequence, your shoulders and hips will lean downward to correspond with the lie of the land.

The set up position for the down slope is achieved by moving your forward foot down the hill so the ball position shall be further to the rear than customary. An additional matter with down-hill lies will be the swing path; to generate more height, hit down and across the incline of the slope, as if you are chasing the ball down-hill. As well, don't allow the transfer of weight get beyond limit at impact. Stay as balanced as possible by taking a shorter than standard swing, and end using a effortless follow through. Clear your left hip as you swing down and through the ball facilitates with the follow through too. These alterations will ensure pure contact with the ball.

Uphill Lies

These alterations as part of your set-up and swing mirror those required for uphill lies. With uphill lies, the weight is on the back foot, the ball is positioned forward in the position, and the inclination is to pull the ball left. You will have to take less club on an up hill for the reason that the ball will fly higher and a shorter distance. Regardless of whether uphill or down-hill, you'll want to control your weight transfer and you need to swing down and with the slope.

Take these issues into account the following occasion you are playing a hilly golf course. Just about all golf courses have inclined fairways even though they aren't particularly hilly. As a result, it's a good suggestion to put into practice hitting off slopes, whether downhill, up hill, or side lies.