The Ball Is Above Your Feet: The Simple Aim Adjustment Most Golfers Miss
You find your ball on a slope, with your feet below it and the ball sitting higher than your shoes. It looks like a normal shot, but the next swing often produces a pull, hook, or a shot that starts left and keeps moving farther left.
This lie is one of the easiest ways to lose control of a golf ball because the slope changes both your posture and the club’s effective aim. The good news is that you do not need a complicated swing adjustment. You mainly need to understand where the slope wants to send the ball.
Why the Ball Tends to Go Left
When the ball is above your feet, the club sits more upright at address. An upright club tends to point more left for a right-handed golfer, which encourages the ball to start left of the target.
The lie can also make the clubface close more easily through impact. That does not mean every shot will turn dramatically, but the natural tendency is usually a lower, left-moving shot.
Many golfers try to fight this by making a hard swing or holding the clubface open. Both reactions can create poor contact. The better solution is to make a modest adjustment before you start the swing.
Make These Four Adjustments
1. Aim farther right
For a right-handed golfer, aim to the right of your intended target. The amount depends on the severity of the slope and the club you are using.
- Slight slope: Aim only a few yards right.
- Noticeable slope: Aim 5 to 10 yards right on a medium-length shot.
- Severe slope: Aim well right and choose a safer target.
Do not automatically aim toward the final target. Aim where you expect the ball to start and finish.
2. Choke down on the club
Because the ball is closer to your upper body, the club may effectively play longer than usual. Choking down an inch or two helps you maintain control and reduces the chance of hitting the ground behind the ball.
It is also wise to take one more club when appropriate. The slope often produces a lower shot, and the extra club can help compensate for the reduced height.
3. Match your shoulders to the slope
Do not force your shoulders to stay level with the horizon. Let your body adjust to the hill so you can maintain balance.
Bend your knees slightly, keep your weight evenly distributed, and make a shorter, controlled swing. Your goal is not to hit the ball as hard as possible. Your goal is to strike it solidly while staying balanced.
4. Expect less height and more roll
A ball above your feet usually comes out lower than a normal shot. That means the ball may release farther after it lands, especially with an iron.
Choose a landing area that allows for the extra roll. If the pin is near the front of the green, a shot aimed directly at it may finish well past the hole. A safer target may be the middle or far side of the green.
A Simple Practice Exercise
At the range, place a ball on a slight uphill or side slope. If you do not have access to a sloped practice area, stand with your feet on a small incline while keeping the ball on the ground.
- Choose a target straight ahead.
- Aim several yards right of it.
- Choke down slightly on a middle iron.
- Make a three-quarter swing while staying balanced.
- Watch where the ball starts and how much it curves.
Repeat the exercise with a small change in your aim. You are not trying to create one perfect adjustment for every slope. You are learning how much the lie affects your particular swing and ball flight.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Standing too tall: This makes it difficult to reach the ball consistently.
- Swinging at full speed: A hard swing makes balance and contact worse.
- Aiming at the flag: The flag may be left of your true starting line.
- Ignoring the landing angle: The lower shot may roll much farther than expected.
One Thing to Remember
When the ball is above your feet, aim right, choke down, and expect a lower shot that rolls.