How to play ball above your feet and it’s on a downslope

[timd77]

Hi,

My course is pretty hilly and I often end up with a really awkward shot. This is one I’m struggling with the most.

Ball above feet but also on a downslope. So I know how to play ball above feet and also how to hit off a downslope, but not both at the same time! I’ve had it a few times lately and each time I’m severely fatting it. I’ve tried using a lofted wedge and also just a gap/pitching wedge, but the results are the same.

Any suggestions?

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Interesting question and hell of a lie
Course I play occasionally has some similar kind of lies and I do this!

• Widen your stance slightly to be more stable .
• weight favouring the lead foot (downhill foot) — about 60%.
• shoulders parallel to the slope (tilt forward so you match the hill). Enable better contact for impact
• Ball Position slightly back from normal to ensure you hit ball before turf on the downslope.
• Aim a bit right of your target (for right-handers)
• Grip down the shaft about an inch

Then swing smooth and focus on making solid contact not worrying about anything else. Caveat I usually club down for the lower ball flight.

 

[timd77]

Thanks, will give this a try. Did wonder whether I need to use less loft, the problem is it’s been around 50-60 yards of the green with some carry required and so I’ve ruled out a bump and run or a low pitch, but I might just have to try it! And with the fairways being a touch softer there’s been zero forgiveness on even slightly heavy shots.

 

[Orikoru]

Interesting question and hell of a lie
Course I play occasionally has some similar kind of lies and I do this!

• Widen your stance slightly to be more stable .
• weight favouring the lead foot (downhill foot) — about 60%.
• shoulders parallel to the slope (tilt forward so you match the hill). Enable better contact for impact
• Ball Position slightly back from normal to ensure you hit ball before turf on the downslope.
• Aim a bit right of your target (for right-handers)
• Grip down the shaft about an inch

Then swing smooth and focus on making solid contact not worrying about anything else. Caveat I usually club down for the lower ball flight.

Agree with most of this, but in terms of where you aim - ball above feet would normally see the ball hook a little, whereas a downslope towards the target would normally promote a fade I thought - so in this scenario I don't know which of the two is stronger. Maybe just aim straight and they cancel each other out?

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Agree with most of this, but in terms of where you aim - ball above feet would normally see the ball hook a little, whereas a downslope towards the target would normally promote a fade I thought - so in this scenario I don't know which of the two is stronger. Maybe just aim straight and they cancel each other out?

The hook is stronger than the fade that’s why I only slightly adjust my aim to the right as natural path on that slope wants you to turn it over so the slight adjust will allow for that and promote a straighter ball flight.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

For me it remains all about taking a stance that has the bottom of my swing arc arriving at the ball as it should.

 

[timd77]

For me it remains all about taking a stance that has the bottom of my swing arc arriving at the ball as it should.

Thinking about it this is probably the key thing isn’t it. Such a funky lie, should really be taking a couple of practice swings to work out where the low point is, as it’ll be nothing like where it is normally.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Find somewhere to practice these shots in order to be confident when playing them on the course.