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22 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JUNE 2022 | Downhill Lies: Hitting from a downhill lie requires a couple of simple adjustments. First of all, understand the ball will come out much lower than usual and your swing arc will bottom out sooner relative to your stance line. Like a lot of challenging situations, hitting from a downhill lie requires you to throttle back on expectations and not compound your problems. Step 1. Given the ball will come out lower, you may need to go with one less club. Your 9-iron, for example, may play more like an 8, so you may need to consider your wedge because the slope will deloft your club. Step 2. Try and set your shoulders with the slope of the hill (see picture). Depending on its severity, this may be difficult, and you don't want to topple down the hill. But setting the angle of your shoulders to that of the ground, at least somewhat, will help you to approximate a level swing. Step 3. Play the ball a bit farther back in your stance because you will contact the ground sooner given the slope of the hill. Take a practice swing or two and note where your clubhead contacts the ground. Helpful Hint: Take a normal swing and if the slope is severe, swing to a three-quarter finish so you don't fall down the hill. Also, aim a little left of your target as the tendency is to push the shot right. Uphill Lies: Hitting from an uphill lie presents the opposite challenges of hitting downhill. First, the ball will come out on a much higher trajectory than one from a level lie and your club will contact the ground later in relation to your stance line. Step 1. The slope of the hill will add loft to your club. Your 8-iron will act more like a 9 so take the extra club to counteract the higher trajectory of shot the slope will produce. Step 2. As you would from a downhill lie, you want to set your shoulders to the angle of the hill while being careful if it is a particularly severe slope (see picture). Step 3. Move the ball forward in your stance so your clubhead will contact the ball at the bottom of your swing arc. Take a few practice swings to see where the club hits the ground and note that for your ball position. Helpful Hint: Make sure to swing through the shot as it is harder to transfer your weight uphill. Also, aim a little right of your target as the tendency is to pull the shot left. Hopefully these tips will help you make the correct adjustments during your round depending on the lie situation and really make a positive impact on your score. Good Golfing! How To Master Uphill & Downhill Lies By Brian Garlington, PGA, Director of Golf