[PHOTO: Chris Condon]
The uphill par-4, 437-metre (478-yard) 15th hole at Bethpage Black [pictured], site of next year’s Ryder Cup matches, was the toughest hole relative to par in all three majors contested there. The hole almost always plays into the wind, and the final 180 metres ascends to a green 15 metres above the fairway. Not all uphill par 4s play the same, but you’ll avoid big scores on most of them if you stick to these sensible strategies.
Adjust your stance and swing
Before you play the hole, here are a few swing tips for uphill lies. The tendency is to mistakenly hang back, hoping to lift the ball into the air. To combat this, maintain pressure on the inside of your trail foot as you turn back against it, and start the downswing with a lateral bump of the hips towards the target. Aim right to compensate for the slope pulling the ball left and swing to a forward, balanced finish.
Play it like a par 5
Many uphill 4s play closer to a par 5, so treat them that way. Hit a reliable club off the tee for position, then lay up to a comfortable distance. This makes it more likely you’ll be on in three and avoid a double-bogey. Who knows, maybe you’ll stick your approach and walk away with a bonus par.
Take more club
Don’t underestimate your approach shots. Take one more club for every five metres of elevation change. If it’s 15 metres and there’s wind into me, I might really club up, hitting a 8-iron where I would usually pull a gap wedge.
Factor in the best miss
According to statistics from Arccos Golf, the average 15-handicapper hits the green less than half the time from 90 to 115 metres – and that’s not factoring in an uphill target. The odds are that you’re going to miss the green, so determine where you have the best chance to get up and down, and factor that into your aim. Be smart and play away from the worst-case leave. – with Dave Allen
Mike LaBauve, a Golf Digest 50 Best Teacher, is director of LaBauve Golf at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
