Side Hill Lie: It is difficult to hit a straight shot from a side hill lie. The ball position will dictate the flight of the ball and you should play for either a slice (left to right) or a draw (right to left) depending on the lie.
Ball above feet - When the ball is higher than your feet, play a draw (right to left) shot. Stand a little further from the ball and aim right of your target. The ball should be in the middle of your stance. For a severe uphill lie use more club, grip further down on the club and make a shorter swing. Control is the key to this shot and you should be thinking of just getting the ball back in play, or if you are close enough to the green play a bump and run shot (land the ball short and let it run up on the green).
Ball below feet - When the ball is below the feet, play a slice (left to right). Stand closer to the ball and flex your knees more. You should take at least one more club because you will not have as much leg drive, and the club face will be open at impact which has more loft. With your stance, the ball should be right of middle.
Uphill Lie: When playing a uphill lie you want to try and level yourself as best as you can to drive through the shot. The ball should be left of center in your stance and your weight control, or anchor, is your right-side. Take more club as there will be more loft through impact with an uphill swing. Again, control is key so make a shorter, more precise swing.
Downhill Lie: When playing a downhill lie the key is to stay in position with your swing to make a solid contact with the ball. The ball should be back in your stance, right of center, and your left side will act as the anchor of your swing. You should use a club with more loft because you will be hitting the ball with downswing which closes the club face. Control yourself with a shorter swing and make sure to accelerate through impact.
Fairway Trap: When executing a fairway trap shot, it is important to maintain the same fundamentals as with a normal shot. The only difference is you cannot ground the club behind the ball and this is troublesome for beginner golfers because they don't have use of the ground to start and guide their backswing. This is where control with your left hand and shoulder really comes into play. To get your swing started back on the correct path, you need to feel your left hand start the swing back, (ideally, you will feel your small, ring and middle finger on your left hand in control), and feel your left shoulder push down towards the ball with no wrist break until you get close to the top of your backswing. You don't have the ground as a reference point, so you need to concentrate more on these mechanics to guide you back. Downswing is the same as with a normal shot, and you must really focus on hitting the ball first. When practicing this shot, and normal shots, try focusing on the top of the ball rather than behind it. This will assist you in learning to hit the ball first before the ground. A good divot starts after contact is made with the ball.
Golf Tips Free: Improve Your Golf - Execute The "Trouble" Shot
