Shane Lowry's short game: reading the lie above all else
Shane Lowry learned the short game on a course with no driving range or approach area. On the chipping area, he demonstrates how he reads the lie, decides whether to let the ball roll or stop it, and plays downhill slopes without trying to lift the ball.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Shane Lowry didn't have a driving range or a chipping green at his club: he learned his short game on the course, and it's still the part of the game he prefers to work on. His philosophy: Every shot is decided by reading the lie. Two 30-yard pitches aren’t played the same way if the ball isn’t sitting the same. He criticizes amateurs for trying to hit the pro’s spectacular shot instead of playing it safe. Under pressure, however, he advises being more decisive: a hesitant swing results in a bad shot.
At the address, he takes a Standing with feet fairly wide apart, hands low, and about 75% of your weight on your left foot, which he maintains throughout the swing. He opens the clubface more or less depending on his position on the green. From a standard lie, there’s no need to help the ball: the loft gets it airborne. In downhill slope, he lets his weight follow the slope, opens his clubface, aims for a landing spot, and lets the ball roll. With a poor lie, he’s willing to play the ball safely to set up an uphill putt. As for his equipment, he’s gone back to using two wedges (50° and 58°) in addition to his pitching wedge: having too many clubs was taking away from his feel for the ball.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Observe how the ball is lying before choosing your club and shot path.
- Decide whether the ball should roll all the way to the hole or stop near the landing spot, depending on the green and the direction of the grain.
- Stand with your feet fairly wide apart and lower your hands.
- Place about 75% of your weight on your left foot and keep it there throughout the entire swing.
- Open the face to the height you need: the higher and softer you want the ball to be, the more you open it.
- When going downhill, let your weight follow the slope, open your face, aim for a landing spot, and let yourself roll.
- If you have a bad lie, play the ball safely by leaving yourself an uphill putt.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Play all 30-yard pitches the same way, without reading the lie.
- Try to help the ball rise, especially on a downhill slope.
- Try a spectacular pro move instead of a safe one.
- To be hesitant under pressure.
- Trying to pull off an impossible shot from a bad lie instead of limiting the damage.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Same distance, different lies: adjust your shot accordingly
- One set by rolling the ball, one set by stopping it at the point where it lands
- Downhill slope: weight following the slope, open face, targeted landing spot
- Weight transfer to the left from the start to the end of the movement
Your Questions
Why does Shane Lowry place so much emphasis on the lie?
In his view, that’s what sets a good short-game player apart: a 30-yard pitch isn’t played the same way depending on whether the ball is sitting flat, buried, or on firm ground. The lie dictates the type of shot.
How should you distribute your weight during your approach shots?
He puts about 75% of his weight on his left foot, with a fairly wide stance and his hands low, and he maintains this weight distribution throughout the entire swing.
How do you play a downhill approach shot toward a flag that's getting farther away?
Don't try to lift the ball. Let its weight follow the slope, open the clubface, pick a landing spot, and let the ball roll into the hole.
Do you need a lot of wedges to play well around the green?
Lowry tried out more wedges, but having too many options made it harder for him to get a feel for them. Today, he plays a pitching wedge, a 50°, and a 58°, and varies his shots based on feel.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Shane Lowry). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.