Golf Ball Above Your Feet: How to Avoid Shanking It

Finding your golf ball above your feet can throw you off your game. It can present a tricky lie and requires some adjustments to avoid hitting it chubb, hooking it left if you’re a righty, hooking it right if you’re a leftie, or worse — missing the ball entirely. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to hit it cleanly and raise your confidence from this challenging position. Let’s dive in!

Why Adjustments Matter

When you’re on a sidehill lie, with the ball positioned above your feet, both gravity and the lie of the land work against your natural (or not so natural) swing. This stance causes the club to sit at an angle, which often results in a draw (a shot that curves left for right-handers). The key is to make a few setup tweaks to avoid unwanted hooks and maintain control.

Key Tips When the Golf Ball is Above Your Feet

1. Find a Stable Setup

Balance is crucial when your ball is above your feet. With the slope pushing you onto your heels, it’s easy to lose control. Follow these steps for a stable stance:

• Lean slightly toward the hill without falling back on your heels.
• Adjust until you feel comfortable and balanced over the ball

2. Grip Down on the Club

Since the ball is closer to your body in this stance, you need to grip down on the club and give yourself more room. Here’s why:

• Why: Gripping down helps prevent the clubhead from digging into the ground, which can lead to a fat shot.
• How: Hold the club lower than usual until it feels like it’s sitting nicely behind the ball.

3. Club Up for Extra Distance

Gripping down shortens the club, giving you less leverage and less distance. To make up for it without putting your back out:

• Solution: Use one club longer than you would on a level lie.
• Example: If you’d normally use a 7-iron, grab a 6-iron instead. The shorter shaft and lower loft will balance each other, resulting in the distance you need.

Aim Right of Your Target

Expect the ball to move left due to the angle of your clubface (unless you’re a leftie – then when the ball is above your feet it will move right). Here’s how to adjust:

• Tip: Aim slightly to the right of your target to compensate for the natural draw.
• Important Note: The steeper the slope, the more right you should aim. For slight slopes, a small adjustment is enough.

Swing with a Flatter Plane

When the ball is above your feet, a flatter swing plane helps you make clean contact. If its in your repertoire to alter this then you should give it a go, here’s why:

• Why: A vertical swing may cause the club to dig into the ground. A flatter, more baseball-like swing matches the slope.
• How: Picture a baseball swing and keep your hands lower through the shot to keep the swing plane level with the hill.

FAQs About Hitting a Golf Ball When its Above Your Feet

Why does the ball go left when its above my feet?

When the ball is above your feet, the angle of the clubface shifts slightly, causing the ball to hook left. This draw effect happens because the club is no longer flat on the ground, tilting the face left at impact.

How do I prevent hooking the ball when it’s above my feet?

To prevent hooking, aim slightly to the right, grip down on the club, and use a flatter swing. These adjustments reduce the tendency to hook, giving you more control over the shot.

Should I change my stance when the ball is above my feet?

Yes! Adjust your stance to lean slightly toward the hill for balance. Avoid falling back on your heels, and grip down on the club for a cleaner strike.

In Summary

The next time you’re faced with a ball above your feet, remember these key adjustments: find a stable setup, grip down, club up, aim right, and swing along a flatter plane. With a little practice, these tips will become second nature, helping you handle sidehill lies with confidence and helping alleviate one of the many bummed shots during a round.