Given my 30 years in this game — 16 of which have been as a PGA Professional Golf Coach — one of my favorite things is providing good golf tips for beginners.
There's nothing better than introducing someone new to the game, and if I can help them pick it up (and succeed!) a little bit faster, that's how we continue to grow the sport.
But with so much info out there, what golf tips are best for beginners to follow? First and foremost, it all starts with understanding some fundamentals in order to gain confidence and make better contact.
So what happens when your ball is on an uneven lie, making it trickier to find the low point of the club, shifting your weight, and seeing great ball-striking results? Keep reading to see which adjustments to make for better shots.
Why Beginner Golfers Struggle with Uneven Lies
The biggest mistake I see from beginner golfers on uneven lies is overthinking the situation. They'll make wild adjustments that throw their entire swing out of whack — many of which just aren't necessary.
I remember working with a student who would bend his knees so much on downhill lies that he looked like he was sitting in an invisible chair. His ball-striking was terrible, his back hurt after every round, and he couldn't figure out why slopes gave him so much trouble.
The truth is, uneven lies don't require you to reinvent your swing. They just need small, intelligent adjustments that work with the slope instead of fighting against it.
4 Adjustments for Solid Contact on Uneven Lies
If you're a beginner golfer who struggles with uneven lies, here are four adjustments that will help transform your approach and guarantee better ball contact every time.
First, match your spine angle with the slope that you're on. This doesn't mean leaning like the Tower of Pisa, but rather allowing your spine to naturally align with the angle of the ground. On uphill lies, your spine tilts slightly away from the target. On downhill lies, it tilts slightly toward the target.
Second, adjust your ball position based on the lie. For uphill lies, play the ball slightly forward in your stance. For downhill lies, move it slightly back. This ensures you're making contact at the optimal point in your swing arc.
Third, take more club and swing easier. Uneven lies naturally affect your balance and timing, so trying to muscle the shot usually leads to poor contact. I suggest taking one extra club and making a smooth and controlled swing.
Finally, commit to swinging through the slope. Many beginner golfers try to help the ball up on uphill lies or prevent it from going too high on downhill lies. Instead, trust your setup adjustments and swing naturally through the ball.
Use this Practice Drill to Conquer Uneven Lies
OK, so this drill is where having your favorite PureOne Golf practice club comes in handy during practice, which will provide instant feedback and force you to make adjustments.
Find a moderate slope on the practice range. Start with a sidehill lie where the ball is above your feet, and then make these adjustments: Stand slightly taller, grip down about an inch, and aim slightly right since the ball will naturally draw.
Take 10 practice swings without a ball, just focusing on maintaining your balance throughout the entire swing. Your goal is to finish each practice swing in perfect balance, just as you would on flat ground.
Now hit five shots, only focusing on making solid contact. Don't worry about results, just concentrate on striking the ball cleanly. One of my favorite golf tips for beginners is to remember that practice is practice, and performance is performance — so don't be upset if you're not immediately seeing success.
Repeat this process with the ball below your feet, making the opposite adjustments: Bend slightly more at the knees and hips, grip up on the club, and aim slightly left since the ball will naturally fade.
Finally, practice uphill and downhill lies using the same methodology. The key is building muscle memory for these positions so that, when you encounter them on the golf course, your body automatically knows what to do.
Trust the Adjustments and Commit to Your Shot
The difference between golfers who struggle with uneven lies and those who handle them with confidence isn't about talent or years of experience. It's about having a repeatable approach and pre-shot routine — and making sure you practice these funky situations — which most beginner golfers ignore.
When you make the proper body adjustments, take the right club, and commit to your swing, uneven lies don't need to be so tricky.
Remember, golf courses aren't built with perfectly flat lies everywhere. So the sooner you master these subtle adjustments, the sooner you'll start shooting lower scores and enjoying the game even more.
PGA of America Golf Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. Check out his weekly Monday column on RG.org, sign up for his golf newsletter, and visit OneMoreRollGolf.com to learn more about him and his work.
