The Washington herald., 1921-12-04
Playing Up the Slope.

hit q bail upon level ground. Some
times you are standing above the
ball and sometimes you are stand
ing below IT.
There are timer when you have a
downhill. hanging lie. and there are
other times when you have an up
hill or upslope shot 10 play.
There are certain necessary
things that the golfer must do to
play each OF these varieties and It
is just as well for him to consider
I each case thoroughly. because he is
coming upon them several times on
every round.
will take up today the matter
Of playing an upslope shot In the
FIRST place this stroke il best
{ played with natural slice. II
played correctly there win be a
/ slice, So IT is best allowed for this
by aiming slightly to the left
In taking your stance, unless
playing against the wind. Il Is best
to stand back of the ball with an
open stance.
The right leg must be held
straight and almost stiff. The right
leg is now the sole support Of the
swing since the left knee must he
bent in order TO allow for the ris-
ing ground.
So be sure the right leg braces
the swing.
There is more of a bend of the
left knee than pivot, bracing with
the inside OF the left foot, but not
coming up too far upon the left
toe.
working for Control
1t is important here to stand
just a litle closer TO the ball and
to take slightly shorter grip
upon the club. Also not to take a
full swing. 1t Is important not to
swing back too far.
The club head coming back fol-
lows the angle of the ground. and
after hitting the ball the club still
remains close along the ground
upon its follow through.
There is no feeling here of lift
ing the ball up. for the natural
upward slope is all that way.
1t is best to use a fairly straight
faced club for this reason. The
ball gets up more quickly than
usual from an upslope shot than
from any other type.
In this shot don't keep the feet
too far apart.
"SttfuE buiuhet.
1t is extremely important here to
be sure of your balance. Your
stance is an unnatural one that can
hardly be called comfortable.
But don't let II break up your
confidence. After all il is golf
shot that must be played, all part
Of the game.
Balance at the top of the swing
now is doubly important. So after
bracing with your right leg and
the inside Of your left foot, be sure
not to make the common mistake
of falling away from the ball.
You will notice the average
golfer on this stroke falling back
as he swings and OF course spelling
the shot.
You must stand to IT and see that
the head doesn't sway back with
the swing. Stay firmly on your
feet and hit mostly with the arms.
This is a stroke where the arms
and knees are more important than
anything else.
Dig that right foot into the
ground and be sure you are firmly
fixed before starting your back
swing.
In case you are standing above
| your ball grip nearer the enc OF the
club. 1t is best to use an iron
here for the gamhl0 with wood is
Co great to be taken. ~W
In case you arr standing below
your ball. take shorter grip on
the club and swing with your arms
letting the follow through take its
own course.
1t isn't necessary to pivot as
much in these cases as one would
upon normal ground.
With the Irons.
In using an iron club on an up
slope lie, it is better to play the
ballsnearer the right foot.
| In other words you stand more
in front of the ball than back OF
it. The loft of the club plus the
rising angle will get the ball up
quickly--too quickly at times. so 4,
is best to use a straight faced club
for this shot.
There should never be a thought
OF lifting the ball Let the iron
club head follow the slope Of the
ground without dragging or jerk
ing IL up.
Don't forget again when you are
taking your stance for this shot
that II is necessary to establish
firm balance before you ever start
, your swing-that you brace with
/. the right leg and that you take