2-MINUTE CLINICS

How to Chip off a Downslope

Many golfers think the only way to make the ball go up is to lift it. This mistaken idea can make greenside shots from downhill lies very scary. When it comes to chipping off a downslope, the secret isn't to fight the slope but to work with it. —Joe Plecker, one of Golf Digest's Best Teachers in Georgia

  • From a downhill lie, the goal is to swing with the slope, not against it
  • Match your shoulders to the angle of the slope to pre-set a sweeping path
  • You want to swing the clubhead down the hill, which helps with contact
  • Another key is to make sure your upper body is perpendicular to the downslope
  • If your spine is perpendicular, your shoulder line should match the slope
  • Play the ball just forward of center and position your sternum directly over it
  • Move the handle forward a touch to help the club glide along the turf
  • This adjustment will set up a slightly descending strike
  • Maintain this forward shaft lean at impact; don't try to lift the ball
  • Let your body "flow" down the slope and rotate toward the target
  • Avoid the urge to shift backward; finish over your front foot
  • Key on making solid contact, trusting the club's loft to send the ball up