Uneven lies: above, below, up and down

Setup

1. Find a bank or mound and set four stations on it: ball above the feet, ball below the feet, an uphill lie and a downhill lie.
2. All stations hit in the same direction, from one line, with a cone target out in front of each and plenty of space between them.
3. Up to two players per station: one hits, the other waits behind and to the side, out of reach of the club.
4. The flights below are for a right-handed player; for a left-handed player, swap left and right.

How it runs

1. At each station, make two practice swings first to feel where the club brushes the ground, then set up for the slope.
2. Hit three balls at the cone, saying before each one where you will aim and why.
3. Rotate one station on the coach's call, walking behind the line, never in front of it.
4. After all four, play one ball from each lie as a test: score a point for every ball finishing near its cone.
5. Balls are collected only when the coach has called the range clear.

Coaching points

• Ball above the feet: stand a little taller and grip down the club; the ball tends to start left, so aim a little right.
• Ball below the feet: flex the knees more and stay down through the shot; it tends to go right, so aim a little left.
• Uphill: tilt the shoulders to match the slope; the ball flies higher and shorter, so take more club.
• Downhill: tilt with the slope, ball a little back, and follow the slope down after the strike; it flies lower and runs.
• On every slope, swing at about three-quarter effort to keep your balance; balance beats power.

Common mistakes

• Using the normal flat-lie setup and catching the ground or topping it.
• Swinging hard and falling off the slope.
• Aiming straight at the target and forgetting the curve the slope adds.
• Fighting the slope on downhill lies by trying to lift the ball.