Best Way to Hit an Uphill Shot in Golf

Uphill shots are generally much easier to play than downhill shots. Now the ground only gets in the way after you have made contact with the ball. A downhill lie keeps the ball down and is generally more difficult. With an upslope, the ball tends to come up easily and therefore gives confidence. With a downhill lie there is only one method of playing the shot – leaning down the slope. With an uphill lie there are two methods of approach.

One method with an uphill lie is to use the same principle as with the downslope. Lean out from the slope with your shoulders following the slope.

Keep your feet a normal width or possibly slightly wider than normal. Try a practice swing from this lie. You realize your weight hangs back and at the end of the swing your weight is likely to remain on your right foot. If you play the shot this way, place the ball just ahead of centre, swing down the slope and then up the slope through and beyond impact. The ball will travel high and drift away to the left. Aim to the right to allow for this.

The second method of playing from an upslope is to use an extremely narrow stance, with your feel no more than 15cm (6in) apart. As you followthrough, force yourself to climb up on to your left leg and to make sure that your right foot really can get through onto the tips of the toes. The stance needs to be uncomfortably narrow to allow this to happen. If you can convince yourself to play an upslope shot with this method, the ball will probably travel with a little extra height but you should be able to keep it flying straight. If the slope is steep, you may feel you cannot use this method, for the club will inevitably dig into the ground beyond impact. Try both methods and see which you prefer. In any uphill situation have a practice swing of this method first. If it doesn’t seem possible, revert to the other method. Whichever you use, take enough club to allow for the extra height.

When pitching from an upslope near the green, remember the ball will travel higher than you probably imagine and won’t go nearly far enough. The commonest error is to play a good shot but to leave the ball short. Use a narrow stance and allow yourself to follow through up the slope beyond impact. Don’t use a sand wedge unless you want a particularly high, short shot. Use a pitching wedge or 9 iron to produce the trajectory and to keep the ball moving forwards.

When playing up a hill with a long shot, remember that the ball touches down before it has finished its full flight. Take plenty of club, mentally adding 10 or 20 metres (11 to 21 yards) to the length of your shot to cover the extra distance. But if you ate landing on an elevated green high up above, remember that the ball touches down at a more horizontal angle. A ball landing on a green above you will always run and kick forwards. Expect the ball to finish at the back of the green. Don’t over-compensate on your next round and under-club.