Balderstone Sports InstituteBalderstone Sports Institute

  • No products in cart.
  • About
    • About Us
    • Bursary Fund
    • Meet The Team
    • Success Stories
    • Student Policies
  • Sports
    • BSI Golf
    • BSI Football
    • BSI Tennis
    • BSI Rugby
    • BSI Sports Science
    • BSI Athletics
    • Boarding
    • BSI Basketball
  • Study Centre
  • College
    • PGA Diploma
    • Greenkeeping
    • Sports Management
  • Online Academy
    • Remote Coaching
    • Online Education
  • Store
    • Merch & Services
    • My account
    • BSI Refund and Returns Policy
  • Blog
    • BSI Newsletters
  • Contact
  • Apply Now
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Latest News
  • How to play uneven lies

How to play uneven lies

by Michael Balderstone / 16 Apr 20 / Published in Latest News

HOW TO PLAY UNEVEN LIES

By Michael Balderstone, PGA Master Professional

While we normally practice on driving ranges with perfectly flat surfaces, the golf course often provides us with uneven ground that will affect the flight of the golf ball.  Here is a summary of what you can expect to happen (taking into account your normal shape), why it happens and how you can adapt.  For simplicities sake I’m assuming a right handed player.

Ball Above Feet

Expected ball flight:

Right to left.  The amount depends on the severity of slope and the loft you are using.

Why:

  1. ‘Face plane tilt’ is the term used to describe how the loft of the club changes the aim of the clubface when either the toe or heel sit up more than usual. See diagram. In this case the heel is up, therefore the face points left.  The more loft, the more it points left.
  2. Your swing will be more rounded as a result of the slope, encouraging the club to approach more from the inside and the arms and club to release more.

How to adapt:

Aim further right to compensate for the curve. Grip further down the club to avoid hitting the ground first. Swing smoothly to maintain balance.

Ball Below Feet

Expected ball flight:

Left to right.  The amount depends on severity of slope and the loft you are using.

Why:

  1. Face plane tilt will aim the face right.
  2. Your swing will be more upright as a result of the slope, encouraging the club to approach more from the outside and the club to release less.

How to adapt:

Aim further left to compensate for the curve. Bend more from the knees. Swing smoothly to maintain balance. Note, if you are in the rough for this shot the grass might grab the club and turn in into a right to left shot.  Grip tightly in this situation.

Uphill Lie

Expected ball flight:

High, right to left.  The amount depends on severity of slope.

Why:

  1. It goes higher because there is more dynamic loft presented at impact.
  2. Gravity keeps the weight more on your back foot through impact, encouraging more arm and club release, thus creating the curvature.

How to adapt:

Aim further right to compensate for the curve. Take more club.  Place more weight on the back foot so you can sweep up the hill.

Downhill Lie

Expected ball flight: Low, left to right.  The amount depends on severity of slope.

Why:    1. It goes lower because there is less dynamic loft presented at impact.

  1. Gravity increase your weight transfer through impact, making your body ‘get ahead’ of your arms and hands. This delays the arm release leading to the curvature.

How to adapt: Aim further left to compensate for the curve. Take less club.  Place more weight on the front foot so you can sweep down the hill.

Give those a try next time you find yourself in one of those situations. Hopefully it saves you a few shots. Adaptability is a hallmark of all good players.

Michael Balderstone is a PGA Master Professional. He is the founder and Managing Director of Balderstone Sports Institute, which operates South Africa’s premier PGA accredited golf academy.

Recent Posts

  • The K-factor – The Key to solid putts

    The K-factor – The Key to solid putts By Michae...
  • How to Boost Confidence Through Affirmations

    How to Boost Confidence Through Affirmations By...
  • The Goal of Putting

    The Goal of Putting By Mark Fairbank, BSI Golf ...
  • Core exercises to improve rotation, power and consistency in your golf swing

    Core exercises to improve rotation, power and c...
  • Bouncing Back

    Bouncing Back By Mark Fairbank, BSI Mental Coac...
  • GOLF SPECIFIC WARM-UP GUIDELINES

    GOLF SPECIFIC WARM-UP GUIDELINES By Renee Gomes...
  • Do you acknowledge the positive things you do during a round?

    Do you acknowledge the positive things you do d...

Navigation

  • Home
  • BSI Sports Science
  • BSI Golf
  • Study Centre
  • BSI Football
  • College
  • BSI Athletics
  • Contact Us

Support

  • Disclaimer
  • Website Privacy Policy
  • Admission & Privacy Policy
  • T’s & C’s

Contact Details

  • T: 011 485 1067 / 1068
  • E: info@bsisports.com
  • A: 122 Club Str, Huddle Park Golf & Recreation, Linksfield, GP
  • GET SOCIAL

© 2025 Balderstone Sports Institute | A Digital Dynamite Website.

TOP