The Ball Is Above Your Feet: Why Your Shot Goes Left
You find your ball on a slope, with your feet below it and the ball sitting higher than your shoes. The lie looks harmless, so you make a normal swing. The ball starts right, curves left, and finishes nowhere near the target.
This is one of the most common uneven lies in golf. The problem usually is not a mysterious swing flaw. The slope changes how the club approaches the ball, how far you can stand from it, and how much the shot tends to curve.
Why the Ball Usually Goes Left
When the ball is above your feet, it is effectively closer to you than it would be on level ground. If you use your normal setup, you may stand too close and become crowded during the swing.
The lie also encourages the clubface to point slightly left at impact. Because of these two factors, shots from a ball-above-feet lie often start or curve left for a right-handed golfer. Left-handed golfers should reverse the direction.
The steeper the slope, the stronger this effect becomes. A gentle fairway slope may require only a small adjustment, while a severe hillside lie can turn a straight shot into a dramatic hook.
Make Three Simple Adjustments
1. Choke down on the club
Grip down the handle by an inch or two. This shortens the club and helps prevent the clubhead from catching the ground too far behind the ball or striking the ball unpredictably.
Choking down also makes it easier to maintain control when your balance is challenged by the slope.
2. Stand a little taller
Do not bend over as much as you would on a level lie. Since the ball is already higher, excessive knee bend or forward tilt can make you feel cramped.
Keep your posture comfortable and allow your arms to hang naturally. You should feel as if you are standing more upright, not reaching down toward the ball.
3. Aim farther right
For a right-handed golfer, choose a target to the right of your intended landing area. The amount depends on the slope, the club, and your normal shot shape.
- Slight slope: Aim only a little right.
- Moderate slope: Aim several yards right.
- Severe slope: Consider aiming well right or choosing a safer target.
Do not try to eliminate the leftward curve by making a complicated swing change. Simply plan for it.
Use Less Club Than You Think
Uneven lies often produce less predictable contact, so distance control matters more than maximum power. Choking down on the club reduces the effective length of the club, and the slope can make it difficult to make a full, balanced swing.
If you are between clubs, using one more club and making a controlled swing is often smarter than trying to hit a hard shot with a shorter club. The goal is to make solid contact and keep the ball in play.
For example, if you normally hit a 7-iron for the distance, consider a smooth 6-iron while gripping down. You may not need to swing harder, and the extra club can compensate for the shorter grip and reduced speed.
Keep Your Balance
The slope makes it tempting to fight the hill. Instead, let your body follow the angle of the ground. Your shoulders and hips should feel reasonably parallel to the slope, and your lower body should remain stable.
Make a controlled swing with a shorter finish. A balanced three-quarter swing is usually more reliable than trying to hit the ball as hard as possible.
One important rule: do not try to lift the ball into the air. The club has enough loft to do that. Trying to help the ball up often causes poor contact and a loss of balance.
Try This Practice Exercise
At the range, place a ball on a slight uphill or sidehill lie if the facility allows it. Start with a short iron and hit five controlled shots while making these adjustments:
- Grip down one inch.
- Stand slightly taller.
- Aim right of the target.
- Make a smooth three-quarter swing.
Pay attention to the starting direction and curve. Repeat from a stronger slope and adjust your aim based on what the ball actually does, not what you expect it to do.
One Thing to Remember
When the ball is above your feet, stand taller, choke down, and aim right. Accepting the natural curve is usually much easier than trying to fight the slope with your swing.