How do you handle this type of lie?

[cutchemist42]

So basically, had a round yesterday where I was having decent success with my irons. However, on the last hole, I had a fairway lie that was pretty sloped. I was having trouble figuring how to approach it and when I did, a low slicing hosel rocket came out of nowhere when I have never had a shank problem.

Ball was lost right away so dropped a ball again, aimed more left, and hit the exact same flight that at least stayed in play.

I tried inserting pictures to show what it seemed like. How do you approach this lie angle?

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by cutchemist42

[dennyjones]

I've had the best luck playing the ball forward in my stance on a down slope lie.

[iacas]

Sloped how? A downslope (higher away from the target, lower toward the target)?

If so, set up along the slope and move the ball forward because your low point is further forward.

[cutchemist42]

18 minutes ago, iacas said:

Sloped how? A downslope (higher away from the target, lower toward the target)?

If so, set up along the slope and move the ball forward because your low point is further forward.

Its hard for me to describe which is why I took the picture. It was downward sloping towards the target but also downward sloping towards me which is why I tried to show the angle that showed how the club lied if I set it on the slope.

So my toe would be contacting the ground if I setup normally, while the heel of the club would be off the ground.

So I still wanted to straight, but the slope was going across.

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by cutchemist42

[mvmac]

So it seems like it was on a downslope with the ball below your feet. Priority #1 IMO is what @iacas said, set the hips level to the slope, ball a little more forward. With the ball below your feet, rule of thumb is to just aim a little more left. Having said that sometimes you can hit pulls from those lies, especially better players because they're conscious of making sure they hit it solid. 

When you have an awkward lie like that I'd just make sure to make as normal of a swing as possible, tendency can be to not pivot and just get armsy. If it's a wedge or short iron, I'll sometimes take a little more club and make more of a flighted swing.

[Patch]

Another option is, when faced with a lie you do not know how to handle, is to just bite the bullet, and chip/punch out to a better lie. Use a gripped down fairway wood. 

I'm still trying to figure out the lie the OP had. I have a pretty good idea what @cutchemist42 is describing, just not sure. 

I'd like to duplicate it, and give it a try. 

[rehmwa]

10 hours ago, Patch said:

 

I'm still trying to figure out the lie the OP had.@cutchemist42

 

Sounds like mostly downhill towards the hole and then also the ball is 'above' his feet to a lesser extent.  (for the right hander - draining towards the left heel.)

[cutchemist42]

12 hours ago, mvmac said:

So it seems like it was on a downslope with the ball below your feet. Priority #1 IMO is what @iacas said, set the hips level to the slope, ball a little more forward. With the ball below your feet, rule of thumb is to just aim a little more left. Having said that sometimes you can hit pulls from those lies, especially better players because they're conscious of making sure they hit it solid. 

When you have an awkward lie like that I'd just make sure to make as normal of a swing as possible, tendency can be to not pivot and just get armsy. If it's a wedge or short iron, I'll sometimes take a little more club and make more of a flighted swing.

Just to clarify, it was above my feet, so slightly sloping towards me and the target. Someone deacribed it better as draining towards my left heel as a right handed golfer.

Im actually fine for whenu its a sidehill lie sloping down towards me, as I can set the club to lie flat on the downslope while still pointing towarda the target. I know in that situation Im hitting a draw.

12 hours ago, Patch said:

Another option is, when faced with a lie you do not know how to handle, is to just bite the bullet, and chip/punch out to a better lie. Use a gripped down fairway wood. 

I'm still trying to figure out the lie the OP had. I have a pretty good idea what @cutchemist42 is describing, just not sure. 

I'd like to duplicate it, and give it a try. 

Yeah I think in this situation again I might just do that. Sucks hitting the fairway and still getting a bad lie but thats golf sometimes.

Edited May 29, 2018 by cutchemist42

[Patch]

1 hour ago, rehmwa said:

Sounds like mostly downhill towards the hole and then also the ball is 'above' his feet to a lesser extent.  (for the right hander - draining towards the left heel.)

Yeah, kind of had the same picture in my head too. Just was not sure. Where I practice, there is a 4-5 foot mound that I am going to duplicate, and give it a try. Thankd for the explanation @rehmwa.

[p1n9183]

In "not normal" lies, i will try to feel the shot. In this case i will play for the inminent fade. Hit the ball from the outside and aim left. If i do a normal swing i will definitively hook it.  

[mvmac]

On 5/29/2018 at 9:55 AM, cutchemist42 said:

Just to clarify, it was above my feet, so slightly sloping towards me and the target. Someone deacribed it better as draining towards my left heel as a right handed golfer.

Im actually fine for whenu its a sidehill lie sloping down towards me, as I can set the club to lie flat on the downslope while still pointing towarda the target. I know in that situation Im hitting a draw. 

Same kind of idea, just adjust it for the slope, set the hips level to the slope, play the ball a little further back, aim right. I also tend to play a half club longer.

[Groucho Valentine]

Downslope with ball above your feet? I do what others have mentioned. Take one less club, ball middle to a ball-width back in your stance from usual, set up with the slope and don't fight against it. Choke down a finger or so on the club. Expect the ball to squirt left a little. 

If there is a range nearby that has those single piece hitting mats, I used to practice uneven lies by putting old golf shoes under the mat to simulate the slopes.