Lie guide
Quick fixes for awkward lies (right-handed). General guidance, not personal instruction — every lie’s a little different.
Ball position in your stance
Wedges & short irons
CenterBottom of the arc — ball dead center, weight even.
Mid irons (8–6)
Just forwardA hair forward of center as the clubs get longer.
Long irons & hybrids
ForwardForward of center so you sweep it, not dig.
Fairway woods
Well forwardBrush it off the top of the turf.
Driver
Off lead heelMost forward — catch it on the upswing.
Punch / chip
BackBack of center, hands ahead, for a lower, cleaner strike.
Awkward lies
Ball above your feet
Sits higher than your feet → it pulls left. Aim right.
- •Choke down on the grip — the ball is closer to you.
- •Stand a touch taller and swing flatter, more around your body.
- •Ball in the middle; settle your weight toward your heels for balance.
- •Aim well right of target and let it draw back.
- •Smooth tempo — don't lunge at it.
Why: The slope closes the face and flattens your swing, so the ball starts and curves left.
Ball below your feet
Sits lower than your feet → it leaks right. Aim left.
- •Grip the club at full length — the ball is farther away.
- •Sit down: more knee flex, bend from the hips, and stay down through impact.
- •Ball center; weight balanced so you don't tumble forward.
- •Aim left of target and expect a fade to the right.
- •Take one more club and swing easy — balance over power.
Why: The slope opens the face and your spine is more upright, so the ball leaks right.
Uphill lie
Slope up to target → higher and shorter, pulls left. Club up, aim right.
- •Match your shoulders to the slope (trail shoulder lower).
- •Ball slightly forward; weight a touch into the low (back) foot.
- •Take one or two more clubs — it flies high and lands short.
- •Aim a little right and swing up the slope, don't fight it.
Why: The slope adds loft and you swing up the hill, so it launches high, flies short, and tends left.
Downhill lie
Slope down to target → lower and runs, leaks right. Ball back, aim left.
- •Match your shoulders to the slope (lead shoulder lower).
- •Ball back of center; weight on the low (front) foot.
- •Chase the clubhead down the slope through impact.
- •Take a touch more loft — it comes out low and runs; aim slightly left.
Why: The slope delofts the club and you swing down the hill, so it flies low, runs out, and tends right.
Downhill chip
Chipping downhill → it lands low and releases. Land it short, let it run.
- •Ball back, hands ahead, weight on your lead foot.
- •Use a more lofted wedge to offset the slope's deloft.
- •Follow the slope down — keep the clubhead low through the ball.
- •Plan for lots of roll: pick a landing spot well short of the pin.
Why: Gravity and the slope take loft off the shot, so it comes out low and runs more than you expect.