[Kim Haneul's FunFun Golf] 'Left Foot Downhill Slope Shot'

Rolling rather than lifting, setup hole left
Hold one club short, concise swing

Today, we are looking at a situation where the ball is on a downslope with the left foot lower. This is a downslope situation, and even professional players find it challenging. The ball doesn’t lift well, and distance control is difficult. When on a left foot downslope, trying to forcibly lift the ball often leads to big mistakes. Instead, a rolling shot can be a wiser choice.

Stand with a slightly wider stance than usual. This is a tip to maintain lower body balance. Next, align your body with the slope by making the line of the slope parallel to your knees and shoulders. This helps reduce fat shots or topped shots. Put your weight on your left foot to support your body posture according to the slope. The ball should be positioned in the center or slightly to the right because the cocking tends to release early.

When addressing the ball, firmly stabilize your lower body to prevent your body from shaking. Swing concisely. On a left foot downslope lie, the clubhead tends to open before the upper body does. This naturally increases the chance of a slice that curves to the right. Therefore, set up aiming to the left side of the hole.

For a left foot downslope shot, the lowest point of the swing is created to the right. Head-up is absolutely forbidden. Even a slight head-up can cause a mishit. You should think of keeping your eyes on the ball until the follow-through after impact. Keep the follow-through low after impact.

When hitting a left foot downslope shot, the club’s loft is effectively reduced compared to flat ground, causing more roll. Choose a club about one club shorter than usual. Grip lower on the club and make a stable shot. For a left foot downslope shot, swing with the mindset of barely finishing the follow-through. To emphasize again, maintain a consistent rhythm and tempo on slopes. If you swing too hard and lose balance, you will face a big disaster.

Sportainer and 14-time winner on the Korea-Japan Tour

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.