Don’t leave uphill wedges short
April 24th, 2007 | Published in Golf.com Pelz Vault | 1 Comment
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The Problem
You always leave wedge shots from uphill lies short of your target —sometimes even short of the green — because your club-head digs into the slope at impact.
Why’d I do that?
Golfers tend to stand straight up when addressing a shot on an upslope, but this is wrong. A vertical posture points your body lines and downswing club path into the slope, which causes you to slow your club down before it bangs into the ground at impact, leaving your shot short.
How to not do that
The next time you need to play a wedge from an uphill lie, try the “fall-back” shot. Select a less-lofted wedge than you’d normally use from the same distance on a level lie to compensate for the height the slope will add to the shot. Next, set up with a wider stance and tilt your upper body until your shoulders are parallel with the slope. Play the ball one-inch farther back in your stance than usual and grip down on the shaft so the club rests naturally in your hands when it’s soled on the ground. You’ll feel a bit out of balance at first, but stay there — this setup will enable you to hit the ball cleanly without sticking your club into the dirt.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:15 pm (#)
Hi Dave,
I have Putt Like the Pro’s and the Short Game Bible, and believe you me I’m a completly awestruck fan! My putting has been REALLY solid for the past 3to 4 years now.(30.5avg)and not only has my short game improved but I’m now hitting all my long clubs way way straighter by trying the following experiment…….
It was prompeted by a paragraph in the short game bible about a pro hitting a long iron with a finesse swing..
I just started 3 weeks ago…… and my shot average has improved by about 6!!!
All I’ve done is start hitting all clubs with the finesse swing!! Nothing else. I’m hitting straight drives almost as far as I would ever hit a good drive with my previous efforts. Likewise with the mid and long irons. Much straighter and therefore much less trouble and penalties in the long game.
Just thought I’d mention it. Who know’s it might help someone else,like me who was practicing like mad but making no progress.
Finesse for me on all shots for now. Yes I know I’m not hitting my irons as far as i might have in the past but 10 yards shorter and straighter is a hell of a lot better than 20 yards left or right!!
Best Regards.
Jim Quinn.
Ireland
Ps.. Thanks for the beautiful facility which I’ve visited in Kileen Castle.
PPS. The reason I googled the uphill shot was because I couldn’t seem to find it in para 6.18 in the Bible. That para seems to only mention downhill shots? Thanks once again.