The ‘5 CONTROLS ….. always!
1. ‘EVALUATE’ The Environmental Elements’ first.
2. ‘VISUALIZE’ the ‘Ball Flight’ and ‘Shot Pattern’
3. ‘KNOW YOUR YARDAGES’
4. ‘SELECT THE RIGHT CLUB’
5. ‘5 SET-UPS’ and ‘5 CONTROLS’
6. ‘Clubface AIM’. ‘Measure To The Ball’. ‘Set Your Feet’.
7. ‘MATCH YOUR SHOULDERS TO THE SLOPE’. It is interesting to note that , this ‘Matching Of Components’ is precisely what we already do now. Our ‘Shoulders’ already ‘Match The Slope Of The Ground’ with normal shots! Nothing new! If you are ‘On The Level’, level Shoulders. If you are striking the Ball ‘DOWNSLOPE’, you shoulders should be parallel to the ‘Down Slope’. If you are striking the Ball ‘UPSLOPE’, your shoulders should be parallel to the ‘Upslope’. Picture if they were level in this ‘Upslope Situation’. If you were to make the swing with this ‘Configuration’ you would simply ‘Drive Your Clubhead Into The Ground’! Consider your ‘Spine Angles’ and ‘Weight Distribution On Your Feet’ (to the Toes & Heels) in each of these situations. You will NOT be ‘Flat-Footed’.
8. ‘Stepping Up or Down The Slope’ in your ‘Follow-Through’ may be beneficial. Allow it!
9. ‘SIDEHILL–Ball Above Your Feet’. ‘WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION’ and ‘SET-UP’ must be right which means ‘In Balance’. Your ‘Swing Plane’ will be ‘FLATTER’. Your ‘Clubhead LIE Angle’ (toe up) will be amplified and will cause your ‘Clubface AIM’ to be a little to the ‘High Energy Side Of The Target Line’. Either ‘OPEN the Clubface’ and ‘Play A Cut’ or simply aim a little to the ‘Low Energy Side’ and make a very normal Strike. STANCE is key! ‘STEER SO YOU CAN CLEAR’. Make your ‘PIVOT’.
10. ‘SIDEHILL–Ball Below Your Feet’. ‘WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION’ and ‘SET-UP’ must be right which means ‘In Balance’. Your ‘Swing Plane’ will be ‘STEEPER’. Your ‘Clubhead LIE Angle’ (toe up) will be reduced and will cause your ‘Clubface AIM’ to be a little to the ‘Low Energy Side Of The Target Line’. Either ‘CLOSE the Clubface’ and ‘Play A Draw’ or simply aim a little to the ‘High Energy Side’ and make a very normal Strike. STANCE is key! ‘STEER SO YOU CAN CLEAR’. Make your ‘PIVOT’.
11. ‘Do Not Over Swing’
12. ‘The Ball Goes Where Your Hands Go.’ You must grasp that these ‘Procedures’ are not threatening! Once you assess the situation, use your ‘Pre-Shot Routine’ to create safety and comfort. The key element is to ‘Set Your Feet’ so as to be able to adjust your ‘Axes’ to handle the ‘Natural Elements’ while being very stable. Avoid over-swinging if at all possible. Select the right club to get the job done so you do not have to ‘Force The Shot’! Always ‘Swing In Balance’!
