Hitting a pitch shot off of a downhill lie is one of the more difficult shots in golf, especially for amateur players who don't often practice from this type of lie.
What makes a downhill pitch shot so tricky is gravity, as your body will be thrown off-balance — which produces chunked or skulled results.
Sure, we all want to put it close from when we're near the putting surface, but top-ranked golf instructor Tom Stickney says it's more important to just make good contact and get the ball on the green.
"My goal from this type of pitch shot is to just put the ball on the green anywhere within 20 feet," he says. "This will hopefully help me avoid making a big number on the scorecard."
So how can you learn to hit a pitch shot off a downhill lie? Stickney offers up some easy adjustments below to help.
How to Hit a Downhill Pitch Shot
"When you have a severe downhill pitch shot, the most important thing is simply keeping your ball on the green," Stickney says.
Due to the funky lie, this ball will come out low, land, and roll — oftentimes farther than you think. It's now up to you to control that distance while still making solid contact.
To do so, Stickney suggests making the following setup adjustments.
"Align your body to face the pin, place the ball in line with the outside of your ankles, and slightly lean your shoulders down the slope," he instructs. "Now use your wrists to set the club up a bit off the ground and finish low."
Now that you know which adjustments you need to make on this awkward pitch shot, make sure to practice it during your next trip to the driving range. By using the PureOne Wedge, you'll feel the correct swing motion and see how center-face contact will lead to better results.
Tom Stickney is the Lead Teaching Pro at Jonathan's Landing Golf Club in Jupiter, Fla., and is recognized as a top golf instructor by GOLF Magazine. You can discover more about Stickney on his Instagram account.
