Best Way to Hit a Downhill Shot in Golf

Downhill shots are always difficult. The first problem is that the ground gets in the way before your make contact with the ball.

If you make the mistake of taking your ordinary address position, you are likely to hit the ground behind the ball and probably miss it altogether.

In any downhill shot you need to make your shoulders follow the slope so that you can swing up and down the slope. To do this you need a very wide stance, all your weight on your left leg, right shoulder as high as possible. Obviously this feels awkward. Your body doesn’t want to stand in that way. A downhill shot has the widest stance of any shot you play. Keep the right foot straight ahead, right shoulder high. The ball will look central to you as you look at it but will be behind centre in the stance. The clubshaft points to your navel. As you swing through impact concentrate on following through down the slope, allow the clubshaft to finish on your left shoulder and with your weight over your left leg. In this way you can make a perfectly good contact, without the ground getting in the way before you strike the ball.

The second problem with a downhill shot is that the slope takes off loft. If you use a 7 iron from a steep slope, it may fly low like a 3 iron. Take plenty of loft. Abandon your 3, 4 and 5 irons and your 3 and 5 woods. They won’t get airborne. If you make a good contact the ball flies lower and further than normal. Expect it to drift away to the right, so aim left of your target to allow for this.

With a downhill shot around the green, follow the same principle. Use your sand wedge and a putting grip to firm up your wrists. Use a very wide stance, right toot straight in front, right shoulder as high as possible and your weight on your left leg. Make a very short, controlled swing. The ball will probably travel lower and further than you imagine. The putting grip helps curb the distance. If playing over a bunker from this lie, concentrate on hitting down beyond impact and keeping your head and eyes down for a count of three. Expect the ball to run on landing. Only accomplished players should open the clubface to counteract.

With a downhill chip, vary the club you use to allow for the run – a sand wedge to the closest point, a pitching wedge to the middle of the green and a 9 iron to the other end. Keep the swing short, firm and slow.

From a downhill lie near the green you either need plenty of loft, or use the putter.