Above and below
Wouldn’t it be nice if every shot we hit on the course was on a
nice flat lie, just like they are on the driving range? Well, very
few courses being designed today are entirely flat and most are
downright hilly.
Above and below
Wouldn’t it be nice if every shot we hit on the course was on a nice flat lie, just like they are on the driving range? Well, very few courses being designed today are entirely flat and most are downright hilly.
This means we need to understand how the face of the club is affected when the ball is either above or below your feet. If any of you have ever gone through a dynamic club fitting and had the effect of ‘lie angle’ explained to you, you should already know some of this. But in golf it never hurts to re-cover the bases every once in a while.
When the ball lies above my feet, even if my feet and shoulders may point straight towards my target, the face of the club is aimed well left. Not only is the clubface aimed left, but the natural tendency to over-rotate the arms and hands on the downswing can in this situation add a closed face at impact. Here are a few simple pre-shot steps we can take to help put the ball on line to our target when the ball is above or below your feet.
As a general rule of thumb, for every foot the ball is above or below your feet, aim ten yards right or left of your target. Also, when the ball is above your feet you will have to choke down on the club, so make sure to take a stronger club than the shot would normally require. A golfer bends over
because the ball is on the ground; a baseball player stands more upright because the ball is coming at him at waist level. Make sure to adjust your posture in accordance with the level of the ball. If you really aren’t sure which way the ball will go just imagine the ground where your ball lies is cement. Which way will the ball bounce if you threw it at the cement? If it is above your feet it will fly to the left and if is below it will fly right. Play well.
Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at sk*****@ea**********.com. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com.
