One shot that is fore ever on by bad list...hitting irons off down hill lies....have tried dozens of tips, would like to hear more as so far it is still the worest shot in my bag...
Message #97176
mdames
RE: Irons from good downhill lies
Member Since: January 18, 2006
Favorite Golfer: Phil Favorite Golf Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
Monday December 7, 2020 1:51 PM
I've always played these shots with my shoulders parallel to the slope, and then just take a normal swing. Parallel shoulders means you won't be coming in too steep.
Message #97177 - This was a reply to message #97176
noeldaof
RE: Irons from good downhill lies
Member Since: November 4, 2004
Favorite Golfer: N/A Favorite Golf Course: N/A
Monday December 7, 2020 1:53 PM
This is always a good topic to bring out and make conversations and give positive feedback onto as well. I've been in a conversation before where I was asked the same question, but after a few sentences from me, I was asked to stop because I wasn't making sense. So for that matter, I just want to be clear that we are talking about the same meaning of a "down hill lie".
Here are the following definitions of my understanding about a ball resting on a sloped lie:
1. Downhill lie - the ball rest on a slope where the forward foot is lower than the trailing foot at address.
2. Uphill lie - (is the opposite of the downhill lie)
3. Ball bellow the feet - the ball rest lower than both feet at address.
4. Ball above the feet - (is the opposite of ball above the feet)
If #1 is the definition you meant, take a practice swing on a similar lie. You may notice that your club had bottom much closer to your trail foot.
JVGA
Message #97178 - This was a reply to message #97176
What Noel said. I adjust depending on how severely downhill the lie is, but as a general rule, I play it app. 1" farther back in my stance and take my normal swing.
The goal has always been long and straight! But since I can no longer hit them long, hopefully straighter could be achieved more than occasionally?
Message #97179 - This was a reply to message #97178
Deepsea14
RE: Irons from good downhill lies
Member Since: October 15, 2017
Favorite Golfer: Dad and his Dad Favorite Golf Course: The one I'm playing
Monday December 7, 2020 2:45 PM
Play it back
and
Give it a crack...
&
slightly open club-face with shoulders parallel to slope best you can practice swing similar stance see where club bottoms out.
Message #97181 - This was a reply to message #97179
RDDenn
RE: Irons from good downhill lies
Member Since: September 22, 2006
Favorite Golfer: N/A Favorite Golf Course: Barona Creek
Monday December 7, 2020 2:48 PM
I either shank it or hook it into the left greenside bunker. Not much of a strategy, but it is all I have.
Message #97182 - This was a reply to message #97176
FirstFlightFX-101
RE: Irons from good downhill lies
Member Since: August 29, 2019
Favorite Golfer: Dave Stockton Favorite Golf Course: Oak Q & V, Rancho DelSol
Monday December 7, 2020 4:01 PM
For me, like you, I don't give myself a good grade for success on this type of shot. I don't encounter it very often, and when I do it's usually a recovery shot. Usually, from a downhill backside green, 'backstop' miss, when I have overshot the green. Sierra Lakes and Yucaipa have quite a few of these that I will find, because I play more aggressive at these courses. A downhill lie on a fairway, or even in the rough, will not happen very often for myself. Honestly, can't think of many warm up areas at courses that can mimic this lie for practice, except maybe the little known upper side driving range at Oak V?
Anyway, for me, the following is my shot decision order for a dreaded downhill lie, and where my fault in execution likely occurs:
-club down, more by hunch and feel, rather than by a rule or by science(this is probably my second biggest fault)
-open my stance a little
-like Noel, play it deeper toward the trail foot, but not a punch shot setup.
-choke up; for me choking up even as little as 1/4" for custom shots, is a confidence booster to strike the ball
-waggle the legs and feet until comfortable with lean and load, change choke if needed
-waggle the shoulders to hands until comfortable
-do not swing faster or harder(this is probably my biggest fault, as clubbing down for a distance farther than for that usual club, is, unusual)
*for me, a skull, a chunk, a toe shot; could happen often for this type of shot
Message #97183 - This was a reply to message #97176
What no one has bothered to mention is the most critical aspect re: hitting this type of shot: you need to focus on 'chasing' the club head low along the pitch of the slope through impact.
Message #97189 - This was a reply to message #97176
noeldaof
RE: Irons from good downhill lies
Member Since: November 4, 2004
Favorite Golfer: N/A Favorite Golf Course: N/A
Tuesday December 8, 2020 10:43 AM
JVGA
Message #97195 - This was a reply to message #97182
RDDenn
RE: Irons from good downhill lies
Member Since: September 22, 2006
Favorite Golfer: N/A Favorite Golf Course: Barona Creek
Tuesday December 8, 2020 3:51 PM
This is the second shot after a good drive on #15 at Los Verdes.
Message #97197 - This was a reply to message #97183