The Ups and Downs of Golf Ball Lies

A Swingin’ Guide to the Slopes

So, you think golf is just about swinging a club and hitting a ball? Think again! The lie of a golf ball is a sneaky little detail that can totally mess with your game. And no, we’re not talking about your buddy claiming he once got a hole-in-one on a par 5. We mean the position and orientation of the ball when it’s just chilling on the ground, waiting for you to take your shot.

Here’s the deal with those tricky golf ball lies:

Uphill Lie: When your ball is sitting above your feet on an uphill slope, it’s like it’s trying to make your life more interesting. This incline tends to make the ball curve to the left for right-handed golfers. It’s like your ball decided it wants to be a boomerang!

Downhill Lie: If your ball is sitting below your feet on a downhill slope, get ready for some curve action. This setup often turns your ball into a right-to-left curving machine if you’re a right-handed golfer. It’s almost like the golf course is playing a practical joke on you.

Sidehill Lie: Picture this: your ball is sitting on a slope that goes sideways. This is where things get really fun. The ball might take a detour from its intended path, making your shot feel like a wild ride. Hitting from a sidehill lie is like trying to nail a shot while riding a rollercoaster. Good luck!

Here’s my personal trick for remembering how to deal with these slopes: the Drul (pronounced Drool) rule – “down right, up left.” It’s like a GPS for your golf ball, but way less reliable. And that sidehill lie? Just swing like you’re praying to the golf gods and hope for the best.

In summary, the lie of a golf ball isn’t just a minor detail – it can seriously influence your shot’s direction. So, next time you’re on the course, remember to adjust your setup, aim, and swing. And maybe throw in a little humor to keep things light. After all, if you can’t laugh at a wild shot, what can you laugh at?

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.