Golf Tips: Uphill Sloped Iron Shot

Today is a very basic Tuesday Tip, but probably one which isn't thought of much.  We have an iron approach to a green and the ball lies on an uphill slope.  Regardless of whether the green is level with the hole or not, the slope must be factored into the shot. More Club For The Slope If we consider that the green is level with the ball we will probably need one more club's worth of distance.  We need to do a little physics lesson to understand why.  If the ball is on a level lie, the loft of the club will launch the ball roughly at the angle of the club face.  But on an uphill lie we have to add the loft of the slope to the loft of the club.  An uphill lie will take a 7-iron and with the added angle of launch, turn it into an 8-iron or even a 9-iron.  So if we find ourselves with a lie on an uphill slope we must do our best to calculate the correct club for a flat lie, then compensate for the amount of slope by adding another club or two. More Club For Increase In Elevation If the green is also uphill this makes the shot even more difficult and requires more calculation.  Lets say that we decided to bump our 7-iron up to an 6-iron due to the slope but the green is also uphill.  We have to add more club for that as well.  So with an uphill lie on an uphill approach shot, that 7-iron could easily turn into a 5-iron or even more. Conclusion It will take practice and some mental notes to get the full hang of the proper compensation for slopes and uphill shots.  Eventually they will become second nature and will not be intimidating.