The Advantage of Practicing on a Hilly Golf Course

Golf is a game of precision and patience, providing enjoyment and exercise with the added benefit of getting players out into the fresh air. It can be played by young and old alike and, once the basics are learned, gives players the opportunity to test their skills at thousands of different courses located throughout the country. Each golf course is unique in its design, with some presenting a fairly routine challenge while others, especially those with varied terrain and obstacles, being more difficult to master.

Practicing on a hilly course presents challenges not typical of flatter courses and, in some respects, technique must be altered. Hills are incorporated to make the game more interesting and difficult, and even courses built on a fairly flat tract of terrain will often have man-made hills added to achieve these goals. Courses built in areas that have naturally hilly terrain will present a new dimension of play all on their own. Add in some bunkers, trees and water hazards and the challenge to hitting a good round is just heightened. For seasoned golfers, this generally adds to the enjoyment of the game. For beginner golfers – not so much!

Practicing on Hills Improves Your Game

Hilly lies are often considered trouble shots, and what better way to get good at hitting them well than practicing on a course where they’re common? Driving ranges don’t offer the opportunity of practicing uphill, downhill and sidehill lies, so, while it may be frustrating in the early going, real-course practice improves performance.

Golfers who usually play flat courses and turn in good scores may find their numbers getting dismally higher when confronted with a hilly course. For this reason alone, it’s worth finding some good hilly links to play to improve your all-around technique. These trouble shots won’t be such trouble once a proper approach is understood and practiced.

When taking a practice-swing for a hilly lie, one should note at what point the clubface contacts the ground. If it strikes nearer the back foot, the ball should be played nearer the back foot in the stance. You’ll want it closer to the front foot if the practice-swing reveals that the club hits the ground toward the front of the stance. Proper ball position is critical when hitting a hilly lie. Generally, the ball will be played closer to whichever foot is “higher.”

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