How To Play Uphill Shots?

I've found that playing with amateurs in pro-ams they demand too much of themselves from this particular situation.

With this shot I've got 190 yards to the flag and from this lie, even I can't get home! So I'm trying to lay up to a yardage I'm comfortable with - for example leaving myself, say a wedge distance of 80 yards.

In the practice bunker I draw two parallel lines, one for the entry to the sand, the other for the exit. They are about six inches apart. Without a ball my students learn the correct entry and exit of the clubhead before I put a ball in place.

You need a few things to be in your favour before you even think about playing this type of shot - a pretty decent lie and a little bit of an upslope helps. If it's on a downslope, forget it. Similarly, if the ball is on hardpan or sitting in a slight depression you have to adjust your thinking to maybe playing a regular chip shot and take your chances on holing 10 or 15-footer.

With ball laying as it is my spine angle is crucial, so I try to set myself to the slope, so the swingpath takes the Odyssey Backstryke 2-Ball Putter through the bottom of the ball and not into the slope. Most golfers try to stay level but then they just plough the clubhead into the slope and the ball only pops out.

But with this shot, I recommend you set your shoulders parallel to the angle of the slope so you've then got a chance to swing through the grass and up towards the target. Aim slightly right because the swing path will tend to take the ball high and to the left.

It's all about confidence and not thinking too hard technically about the shot. When you're a professional sportsman you tend to work everything out, technically-wise knowing there's a right and a wrong way to do it whether it's cross or close shots and balls bouncing in front of you there's a way of getting your body in the right position.

It's probably one of the most demanding shots in golf but with practice your confidence will build and you'll find it's a great shot to have in your armoury.