Ballooning or hooking a shot from an uphill lie is a common complaint from high handicappers. Skidby Lakes golf professional, Karl Worby gets to the root of the problem . . .

Uphill lies can cause a number of problems

Over the next four articles we will be featuring uneven and sloping lies. These problems tend to affect higher handicap players more than most.

The most common tendancies from an uphill slope are pulling, chunking - or hitting heavy in layman's terms - and underclubbing; this is due, primarily, to the force of gravity attracting the player to the low grounf or the player's right-hand side.

To combat these issues, firstly set up perpendicular to the ground level but with a bit more focus on keeping the weight on the left-hand side.

Keep your weight to the left side

Resist gravity's pull by seeing the weight transfer up the slope with the swing.

Play the ball in the centre of the stance to make it easier to get a clean contact.

Depending on the severity of the slope, select a less lofted club than normal to allow for a higher shot and some loss of distance. For example, instead of a seven-iron take a six-iron and on a more severe slope, employ two clubs difference.

Using a less lofted club will stop you hitting the ball too high and losing distance

Aim to the right a sufficient amount to compensate for the slope, also.

Before playing the shot, take a couple of practice swings to adjust to the different ground conditions and then make a comfortable. controlled swing without transferring the weight too much.

Position the ball in the centre of your stance

In addition, the natural slope of the terrain tilts the golfer's stance upwards, adding loft to the face of the club, which is obviously going to cause loft and a loss of distance.