How do I adjust for different lies (uphill, downhill, sidehill)?

Mastering Uneven Lies with the Rotary Swing: Unlock Power on Any Terrain

As Riley "The Rotator," I live for the rotary swing's explosive body rotation that cranks out monster distance. But uneven lies—uphill, downhill, or sidehill—can throw off your sequencing if you're not dialed in. The key? Maintain that athletic hip drive and aggressive shoulder turn while adapting your setup and ball position. This preserves ground force reaction and rotational speed, preventing power leaks. Let's break it down biomechanically so you can attack any lie with confidence and crush it.

Uphill Lies: Propel Power Uphill

Uphill lies tilt your body toward the target, making the low point of your swing shift toward your front foot. In the rotary swing, this demands extra emphasis on loading into your trail hip early to counter the slope and fire through with rotation.

1. Setup Adjustment: Position the ball back in your stance (inside left heel for driver, center for irons) to match the slope's low point. Lean your sternum and belt buckle uphill so your spine angle mirrors the hill—avoid hanging back.
2. Weight Distribution: 60-70% on your front foot at address. Feel athletic, like a baseball slugger coiling against resistance.
3. Swing Execution: Shorten your backswing for control, then explode hips first—rotate aggressively through impact. Your typical left-side miss? It'll pull even more here, so sequence shoulders after hips to stay square.
4. Clubface Tip: Square it to the slope, not the target line, for a natural draw bias that fights the push tendency.

Drill: Practice half-swings feeling your trail shoulder rotate under your chin, building flexibility for that uphill torque.

Downhill Lies: Stay Grounded for Speed

Downhill slopes hang you out over the ball, shifting low point rearward. Rotary swing power thrives on stability here—anchor your front foot and rotate around a stable axis to avoid thin shots or skulls.

1. Setup Adjustment: Ball forward in stance (off front toe for woods, forward of center for irons). Match spine angle to the slope by tilting shoulders downhill—chest low, no upright posture.
2. Weight Distribution: 70%+ on front foot, front knee flexed like a sprinter in the blocks. Grip down ½ inch on the club for control.
3. Swing Execution: Medium backswing loads the hips deep; downswing unleashes hip rotation while keeping the lead shoulder low. Compress the ball by rotating through, not lifting—think discus thrower whipping around a stable pivot.
4. Clubface Tip: Deloft the club slightly (open face a touch) to prevent digging, promoting a shallower attack angle.

Drill: Tee the ball high on a downhill mat, focus on hip clearing first for that rotary pop—watch distance soar even on tough lies.

Sidehill Lies: Above and Below Feet

Sidehill lies twist your swing plane, challenging rotary sequencing. Above-feet lies promote hooks; below-feet encourage blocks. Counter with body alignment parallel to the slope for pure rotation.

Lie Above Feet (Ball High)

• Setup: Ball slightly back, shoulders/hips aimed right of target (for right-handers). Choke down and widen stance for stability.
• Swing: Shorter backswing, rotate hips hard left to square the face—fight the hook by feeling hands ahead at impact.

Lie Below Feet (Ball Low)

• Setup: Ball forward, shoulders/hips left of target. Narrow stance, bend from hips to chase the low ball.
• Swing: Aggressive rotation with early hip shift right—delays arms to prevent pushes, maintaining speed through ground reaction.

Common Thread: In both, visualize rotating around your spine's tilted axis. Flexibility drills like thoracic rotations keep you mobile.

Key Takeaways for Rotary Swing Dominance on Uneven Lies

Uneven lies test your rotary swing's athletic core—adapt setup to match the slope's low point, bias weight forward for stability, and always prioritize explosive hip-shoulder sequencing for power. This isn't about arm manipulation; it's biomechanics: efficient rotation generates speed anywhere. Commit to these adjustments, drill flexibility, and you'll turn awkward lies into distance opportunities. Practice on varied terrain, track your launch numbers, and watch your scoring explode—rotary power conquers all!