Golf is rarely straightforward, so being versatile and adaptable are key components to success. Nowhere is this truer than in the short game. When missing a green we can be presented with almost infinite scenarios to deal with and it is essential that you have the tools to cope.
In this article, I want to cover some of the more common awkward scenarios that come up and arm you with some ideas to help you get up and down more often…
Downhill lie
A very awkward proposition for any level of player, the downhill lie is something we all encounter and can cause a lot of difficulty.
The main reason it is tricky is that it automatically takes some elevation out of the shot which, if you are short-sided for example, makes stopping the ball quickly very tough. One of the most common mistakes I see on this shot is players trying to artificially create that elevation by leaning back and scooping the ball up in the air. Unfortunately, that is maybe the worst thing you can do in this situation. Leaning backwards will move the low point of your arc behind the ball which will lead to bottoming out too early resulting in fat shots.
Match your body angles to the slope, don’t fight it
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
The key here is to work with the slope as much as possible. Move your weight forward and try to match your shoulder angle to the angle of the slope. From here, swing down the slope to ensure solid contact. You will have to accept that the ball will inevitably come out lower than normal, and adjust your intended landing area and expectations accordingly.
Plugged bunker shot
An all too familiar scenario, you’ve missed the green in a bunker and as you walk up, you can only see half the ball! Time to panic right? Wrong. With a few simple adjustments to technique, you can make this shot a lot easier.
First things first, as the ball is essentially below surface level, we need to do all we can to get that clubhead underneath the ball to pop it out. The best way to achieve this is to create a steeper attack angle. In order to do this, put a little more weight than usual into your lead foot and from here we are going to pick the club up a little more vertical than usual and drive the clubhead steeply into the sand behind the ball.
Pick the club up steeply to get out of a plugged lie
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
When practising this shot, experiment with your clubface angle. Some players prefer to play this shot with a square or even slightly closed face to take bounce off…
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