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Uneven Lies Irons Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Ball on the rise or on the way down: Patrice Amadieu

On the course, you rarely play on flat ground. Patrice Amadieu, head coach at the ffGolf Academy, explains for Decathlon how to adjust your technique when the ball is on an uphill or downhill slope, using two key words: control and balance.

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Patrice Amadieu
Patrice Amadieu · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

13 minNext Level UpIrons Downwind and on Slopes: The Morikawa SchoolCollin Morikawa · Intermediate / Expert6 minNext Level UpBunker shot down the slope: Rory McIlroyRory McIlroy · Intermediate / Expert2 minFrom the same proPre-shot routine in golf: Patrice Amadieu's 3-step processPatrice Amadieu · Expert

What the lesson shows

The principle established by Patrice Amadieu: follow the slope, as if you were on level ground. Uphill lie: Shift more weight onto your right foot, position the ball in line with your sternum, and keep your shoulders parallel to the ground. Focus on swinging your arms while keeping your feet firmly planted. The clubface will close at impact, and the ball will naturally curve from right to left: Move a little further to the right..

Ball on the decline: Shift more weight to your left foot, hold the ball in front of your sternum, keep your shoulders parallel to the ground, and keep your arms low during the swing without sitting up as you follow through. The clubface will be slightly open, resulting in a left-to-right flight path: Move a little further to the left.. In both cases, control and balance are paramount, and one can swing at 70% of its maximum speed.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Determine the slope: is the ball rolling uphill or downhill?
  2. Put more weight on the foot on the lower side of the slope: right foot on the uphill side, left foot on the downhill side.
  3. Center the ball in front of your sternum, with your shoulders parallel to the floor.
  4. Adjust the alignment: a little to the right when going uphill, a little to the left when going downhill.
  5. Swing your arms while keeping your weight on your feet, without straightening up as you swing through the downward phase.
  6. Swing at about 70% of your maximum speed to maintain your balance.

Key Takeaways

Ride down the slope as if you were on flat ground.
When going uphill: shift your weight to your right foot, swing from right to left, and aim slightly to the right.
On the downswing: shift your weight to your left foot, swing the club from left to right, and aim slightly to the left.
The ball is positioned in front of the sternum, and the shoulders are parallel to the floor in both cases.
Arm swing, feet planted, at 70% of maximum speed.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Play on a slope using the same stance and alignment as on flat ground.
  • Forgetting that the ball curves from right to left on an uphill shot and from left to right on a downhill shot.
  • Straighten up during the swing when the ball is on its way down.
  • Swinging at full speed and losing your balance.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Balls hit uphill and then downhill on a hill on the driving range or the approach area
  2. Alignment adjusted according to the slope before each shot
  3. 70% swings while maintaining balance at the finish

Your Questions

How do you hit a rising ball?

Patrice Amadieu recommends shifting more weight to your right foot, positioning the ball in front of your sternum, keeping your shoulders parallel to the ground, and using an arm swing. Since the ball travels from right to left, align yourself slightly more to the right.

How do you hit a downhill shot?

Shift more weight to your left foot, hold the ball in front of your sternum, keep your shoulders parallel to the ground, and stay low without standing up straight. The clubface is opening up a bit: align yourself a little more to the left.

Should you swing less hard on a slope?

Yes. The key words are control and balance, and you can swing at 70 percent of your maximum speed.

Learn More

All “Slope Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Irons Downwind and on Slopes: The Morikawa SchoolRead the lie and the wind, then choose between two shots: Morikawa demonstrates three shots with an iron and a wedge—downwind, downhill, and uphill. Ball Above Your Feet: Find the Plane with GravityBall above your feet: find the plane and the distance from the weight of the club, with horizontal swings, then a double grass brush around the ball. Bunker shot down the slope: Rory McIlroyRory McIlroy adjusts his setup for a downhill bunker shot, shoulders matching the slope, and invites you to lower your expectations on this shot. Patrice AmadieuAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Patrice Amadieu). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

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