Warm Up By the Clock (9, 10, 10:30)

 

Lee Trevino Punch Stinger

 

Uneven Lies

 

For those of us who practice, we typically practice on a flat surface, such as a driving range. When we get to the golf course, we seldom have even lies, even on tee boxes (don't get me started on this pet peeve). On uneven lies, we will have to change our swing, but how?

Imagining a golf machine on an uneven lie has helped me figure out what to do. FIrst:

You simply will not be able to swing as hard or get as much distance as you will on a flat lie, so choose a club that compensates (I'll discuss this more below).

So, let's just start with the side-hill lie pictures above. If you just tilt the golf machine, it will fall back down the hill.

If you stand up straighter and adjust the feet of the golf machine, it can still hit the ball. For some steep side-hill lies, you might also have to grip down on the shaft (again, reducing the distance you can hit the ball).

The Stand Up Move

 

Visualizing a golf machine helps me explain (at least to myself) some chronic problems I have with my golf swing. My primary problem is the fat shot, that is, hitting behind the ball. I have tried all sorts of ways to solve this problem and gotten all sorts of well meaning advice. 

So You Want to be a Golf Machine?

 

Rory McIlroy Power Standup Move

 

Just to prove that the Stand Up Move was not something invented by a golf pundit, the video above shows Rory McIlroy's "natural" swing (when he first started playing) and his Tour Swing. He had the Stand Up move right from the beginning. It was his natural swing. 

Bernhard Langer: Chipping