Golf Pitch from Down Hill Lies

by | Feb 14, 2019

Dave Cahill here with Cahill Golf. I am at the Cimarron Golf Resort here in Palm Springs, California. I have a lie near the green. But the pin is short sided and the lie downhill. A pitch from a downhill lie to the green almost always requires a high soft shot. Just remember that the downhill pitch will still roll some no matter what you do. I have to do something to get the ball up and get it to stop quickly. A club with loft such as a 60-degree wedge will help make that happen. Align your shoulders parallel to the slope which is a slight lean to the left. You might have to aim slightly left of your target. In addition, I will open the club face just a bit to create more loft. I do this by turning the toe back a little bit, too much and you will push the ball out to the right. Because the lie is downhill, I will put the ball a little farther back in my stance. I want the club to approach the ball at a steep angle of decent, catching the ball, making clean contact on the way down. I pick the club up with my wrists. On the downswing relax the wrists allow the arms and the club to drop with gravity and then follow through; a nice smooth feeling. Practice to perfect the shot.

A 60-Degree Wedge

A club with loft such as a 60-degree wedge will to get the ball up and get it to stop quickly.

Slightly Open the Face

Open the club face just a bit to create more loft.

Relax the Wrists

On the downswing relax the wrists follow through; a nice smooth feeling.
PGA Instructor Mike Cahill and PGA Master Instructor Dave Cahill are here to help you play better and enjoy the game of golf. Come see us in Palm Springs for golf lessons or visit us for a Palm Springs a Golf School.

PGA Instructor Mike Cahill 612-501-9015 mikecahill@cahillgolf.com

PGA Master Instructor Dave Cahill 952-994-0387 davecahill@cahillgolf.com