Part of the fun – and challenge – of golf is the wide variety of situations you encounter. Not every shot is played from the middle of the fairway with a perfect lie. While this may be ideal, it is not realistic even for the best players in the world, let alone recreational players.
If you understand how tune in for a bad lie and why these adjustments work, you can apply these principles to many different situations. I like to give my students easy ways to remember key concepts in the course. One of these is: “Lean for a Lousy Lie”, or the three L’s.
In most of these cases, the ball is lowered, making it difficult make clean contact before the obstacle. In others, it’s important to hit the ball in front of anything below it.
Here’s how to adjust your setup when you encounter a bad lie—and why it works.
1. Adjust the position of the ball
Moving the ball back into your position increases the likelihood of making contact with the ball first. This is because the club is still traveling at a steeper angle of attack at that point in the swing. This is especially important when the ball is sitting low or on a tricky lie.
2. Lean towards the target
Move your upper body toward the target so that your chest and center of mass are positioned in front of the ball. The club tends to hit the ground close to where your head is positioned, so this adjustment helps ensure first ball contact with a steeper angle of attack.
3. Drop the lead shoulder
As your upper body leans toward the target, let your lead shoulder drop lower, creating a slight lean. Your shoulder line plays a big role in both swing path and approach angle. Presetting this slope helps guide the club down into the ground or sand, allowing it to cleanly hit the back of the ball without interference.
4. Lean front axle
Match your body position by bending the shaft forward at address. This will reduce some loft, so be careful when choosing a club and determining your swing size. However, this forward shaft tilt is essential for solid, first contact with the ball.
5. Slope swing
With the right setup, move harder with speed and commitment. This added momentum helps the club pass the lie and drive the ball forward. The steeper angle comes from your setup, but maintaining speed and a safe, confident movement is the key to clean contact.
There is no need for a full traditional escort. Given this setup and aiming to hit the ground, terrain or sand can naturally limit your finish. Trying to force a full follow through can cause you to back off, leading to poor contact and decreased distance.
Sign up for GOLF Schools Today
Improve your game with the top 100 GOLF teachers.
