Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach Andrew Jones explains how to adapt your technique to find a good strike when the ball is above your feet

Ball above feet golf tips

I’ve created a familiar scenario on the range having placed the ball above my feet. This is one of those everyday scenarios that requires some fine-tuning to your normal technique. If you can make the following changes you’ll make a clean, accurate strike. This is all about ensuring a difficult lie doesn't cost you a bad contact.

Firstly, the slope will naturally make your swing flatter that usual and this, along with the full release that is also encouraged, will cause the ball to turn left in the air. There’s no way to really counteract this confidently, so just allow for the draw with your alignment and aim your feet, hips and shoulders as well as the club face, a little right of your intended target. Secondly, move your hands down the shaft, to the bottom of the grip. This will prevent you from catching the ground before the ball and hitting it fat - a common trap you simply must be aware of and avoid. Finally, stand a little taller to the ball than usual – you’ll need a little less knee flex at address to do this. Importantly, ensure that you still pivot over the ball from your hips, keeping your back straight. Your adress still needs to be dynamic and athletic to allow you to make a good upper body rotation. As long as you can maintain this spine angle through the swing - from address to impact - you should be able to find the strike you’re looking for.

Try to find a slope on the course as you play in a friendly. Practice this shot and you'll see how the ball shapes from right to left in the air. As long as you allow for this you should still be able to attack the flag despite the lie.

Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 


Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X