We’ve all had that perfect drive that rolled into a spot where your feet are over or under the ball. Side lies are challenging and can even happen in the middle of the fairway. If you can’t catch side lies, here are three mistakes you’re probably making.
Failure to adjust the position and stance of the ball
Setting up to hit a shot from a side lie without adjusting the position of the ball and your attitude to match the slope will lead to inconsistent results.
If the ball is on your feet:
- Place the ball slightly back in your stance
- Close the club
- Stand straight
If the ball is under your feet:
- Place the ball slightly forward in position
- Hold the posture in a backward motion (do not stand up)
I also find that playing with my weight can be a good way to improve contact. If the ball is under my feet, I put extra weight on my toes to make sure I hit the ball first, then the ground. If the ball is at my feet, I keep it weight between the back of the foot and the center. It’s a simple trick and helps to get the feel needed to make a cleaner shot.
It does not change your alignment
When the ball is over your feet, the natural swing plane is very shallow, creating more of a hook ball flight. If you don’t line up a little to the right in the setup, it can cause the ball to go well to the left of your target.
The same applies when the ball is under your feet. You’ll feel a little further off and sometimes you’ll get hit on the toe or with a slightly open face. To prepare, aim just to the left side of the green.
However, the simple tip of adding just a little weight to your toes should also help you hit it straighter. Remember not to change your layup lines so much that a great shot gets you into trouble.
Failure to adjust swing plane with slope
The third mistake you can make from these steep lies is to take your typical swing plane instead of adjusting for the slope. It would help if you matched your swing plane to the angle of the hill.
If the ball is over your feet, you will need a shallow, not too straight, swing. Depending on the severity of the slope, it may feel like you’re swinging the club around you more.
When the ball is under your feet, take a straighter swing to make sure you attack it at a steep enough angle to lift it off the ground. For both downhill and uphill lies, it’s a good idea to make a 3/4 length backswing. Keep it simple and advance the ball in a straight path.
Pulling it all together
Here’s a chart you can use to help you make quick and easy adjustments to cleanly hit your next shot to the side lie. As with all golf tips and advice, make sure the adjustments you make are minimal. Anything big becomes unnecessary and can create just as much inconsistency in the shots you hit.
| Kind of Lie | Ball position | Posture adjustment | Lineup | Oscillation adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball on foot | A little further back | Stand straight; chokes on the handle | Aim slightly to the right of the target | Flatter swing plane; expect a flight of the ball from right to left |
| The ball under the feet | A little further | Bend your knees more; take the stand; put some weight on your toes | Aim slightly left of the target | Straighter swing plane; expect a flight of the ball from left to right |
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