We must take care of the lie first.
One of the most overlooked fundamentals in golf is properly assessing the lie before executing a shot. Too often, players focus solely on yardage, wind, and club selection without considering how the ball is sitting on the ground. But the lie significantly influences how the ball will launch, how much it will spin, and how it will feel coming off the face. In fact, every smart shot starts with a smart read of the lie.
The first question to ask is: Does the ball tend to come out fast or slow from this lie? This gives you an immediate sense of how clean your contact will be and how much energy will transfer to the ball. A clean, firm lie will generally produce a fast ball speed and predictable spin. In contrast, a fluffy or buried lie can reduce speed and introduce variability.
Another way to frame this is: Will my likely miss be high or low on the clubface? If you’re hitting from a fluffy lie or one above your feet, the ball might strike high on the face, resulting in a higher launch angle with lower ball speed and spin. On the other hand, from a tight or downhill lie, contact lower on the face is more likely, producing a lower launch with higher ball speed.
Next, consider your access to spin. This is critical, especially on approach shots. Inspect the turf behind the ball—are there blades of grass or debris that might get caught between the clubface and the ball? If so, you’re likely to lose spin and ball speed, and the shot may launch higher than expected. This is particularly relevant in wet or rough conditions, where grass and moisture act as barriers. These lies tend to produce a higher degree of variability than clean lies.
Another subtle but important factor is the grain direction of the grass. Grain that runs toward the target can allow for cleaner contact, while grain against you can grab the club and slow it down, affecting impact location and ball speed. Ignoring grain direction can lead to poor contact, especially on chip and pitch shots where precision matters most.
Once you’ve considered all these variables—speed, launch, spin, grain, and turf quality—you can begin to hedge your technique to fit the lie. This may mean adjusting your ball position, choosing a different club, changing your setup, or managing expectations for rollout or carry. For instance, if the lie limits spin, plan for more rollout. If you expect a high-face strike, anticipate reduced distance.
In summary, the lie is the starting point for every good decision in golf. By asking the right questions and making subtle adjustments based on what you see, you give yourself the best chance of executing the shot you intend. Reading the lie isn’t just about avoiding bad outcomes—it’s about setting yourself up for success.
