what does it mean to play the ball down in golf

Hitting down on the golf ball means your swing is on the downward motion when making contact with the ball. That’s why you see professional golfers take a divot after the ball, meaning their swing was still on the downward motion when they made contact.

Full Answer

What does it mean to play the golf ball “up” or “down”?

Playing it “Up” or “Down” – Playing the ball down means that you have to hit your shot no matter what the lie is. In certain situations golfers are allowed to play the ball “up” meaning they can improve the lie.

How to hit down on the golf ball?

When you are playing with an iron and want to hit the ball far, the following tips should help you hit down on the ball. When you reach the top of your swing position while preparing for a shot, move your right foot (or left if you are a left-handed player) and hip slightly closer to the ball.

How to hit a fade or draw in golf?

This is true for all kinds of golf shots including fades and draws. Whether you want the ball to go straight in the air or curve towards your target, the correct method to do this is hit down on the ball. The harder you hit, the higher and further will the ball fly.

What is a draw shot in golf?

Sometimes referred to as a cut shot. Draw – A right to left ball flight (for righties), but more controlled than a hook. Up and Down – If you have missed a green in regulation, and you are still able to make par.

What does put the ball down mean?

: to score by putting the ball on the ground behind an opponent's goal line.

What is up and down in golf?

What Does The Phrase 'Up And Down' In Golf Mean? The term up and down in golf means to get up on the green and then getting the subsequent putt down into the hole from wherever the ball is currently lying on the course by taking only a single shot for each part of this equation.

How do you flight a golf ball down?

1:369:20How to Lower Ball Flight With Irons (Golf Swing) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWay to lower your ball flight is just to simply slow your swing. Down all right you don't have toMoreWay to lower your ball flight is just to simply slow your swing. Down all right you don't have to change clubs you want to do anything different in your setup.

What is 1 down in golf?

Here's what we mean: Let's say you've won five holes and your opponent has won four. The score is not shown as 5 to 4; rather, it's rendered as 1-up for you, or 1-down for your opponent. If you have won six holes and your opponent three, then you are leading 3-up, and your opponent is trailing 3-down.

How is golf up and down calculated?

In golf, getting up-and-down means taking two strokes to get the ball in the hole from off the green, including a putt. The up part of up-and-down is getting the ball onto the green from off the green. Typically, the ball is somewhat near the green, and the shot is often hit as a pitch or chip.

What is up and down?

The golf term "up and down" refers to the act of taking just two strokes to get your golf ball into the hole when your ball is resting around the green or in a greenside bunker. If you accomplish that, then you've achieved an "up and down."

How do I keep my ball down?

1:505:00How To Shoot A Soccer Ball Low And Hard - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you have a floppy ankle when you shoot you're just going to put the ball off target. So first andMoreIf you have a floppy ankle when you shoot you're just going to put the ball off target. So first and foremost if your ankle is not locked. You're going to really struggle. To hit the ball well. Okay.

What does it mean to flight a ball?

If you watch the best players in the world hit wedges, you'll see them frequently using a shot that most amateurs don't have. It's called a “flighted” wedge, and it flies with a lower-than-normal trajectory and usually moves from right-to-left (for righties) into the pin.

What does flight the ball mean?

During flight operations, carriers employ an optical landing system that provides the pilot with accurate visual altitude/glide-slope information that assists him/her to land safely.

What does E mean in golf?

even parMost 18-hole golf courses range from par 70 to 72. When the number of strokes taken matches par, it's considered even par, signified with an "E" on most scoreboards. ADVERTISEMENT. If a player completes the hole in one shot less par, or birdie, minus 1 is calculated on the scoreboard.

What is 3 under par in golf called?

Albatross. An albatross is—you guessed it—a term for three under par. Like the bird itself, achieving an albatross in golf is rare indeed.

What does 2 up mean in golf?

A score of "2-up" means that the player in the lead took the match "dormie" on the 17th hole. "Dormie" means that the leader leads by the same number of holes that remain; for example, 2-up with 2 holes to play.

What Does Hitting Down On The Golf Ball Actually Mean?

Hitting down on the golf ball means your swing is on the downward motion when making contact with the ball.

Why You Should Hit Down On The Ball Instead Of Hitting It Upwards

It’s important to remember each of your clubs comes with a specific loft, which is the angle formed by a line that runs down the center of the shaft and a line running down the face of the club.

4 Steps To Hitting Down On The Golf Ball Every Time

Get in a shoulder-width stance, with your weight equally distributed on both sides of your body and golf ball directly in the middle of your stance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hitting down on the golf ball and compressing it will help you hit the ball further, higher, and more consistent than ever before.

Lemay427

I have thought about this ever since I have been playing competitively. In high school you were allowed to lift and place the ball within one grip length, no closer to the hole. Same with the local junior PGA tournys. I think I only played one or two tournys with the "ball down" rule. Here is my question delema.

Lemay427

shindig. i am not talking about playing charity tournements so the gimmie deal doesnt concern me. i putt out every hole. its weird how in high school they allowed you to do this and even in the gateway junior PGA they did. a pga sponsored event lol. oh well, i just wanted to see a general consensus on this.

FIJIGolf23

I can't believe that you were allowed to "roll it" within a grip length in high school, let alone a junior tour. The only time we ever got to improve our lie was in there was standing water and/or the fairways were very wet. I always play the ball down. The guys I generally play with on the weekends roll it and take gimmies.

Lemay427

i hear ya BCA. at least im not the only one out there. I play by all the other rules, and i know that if i break one rule, i am a rule breaker lol. im getting back into tournement play so I know ill have to stop.

Lemay427

if the weather is decent this weekend ill play with the ball down and take some pics of the lies i get. sometimes they are amusing.

albatroz

Golf is a gentlemans game . What ever the lie is if it is not deem unplayable has to be played as is . Like life there are a lot of obstacles one has to face befor one can be wise . Playing according to the rule will help develope the honesty factor in you . Be it at school or at work there are rules that govern all of us .

cwo2lt

Just out of curiousity, those of you who say rules are rules, play it as it lies, ect; do you always abide by all rules or just on the golf course? Example, if you were late for a tee time would you break the rules and speed? Go 60 in a 55? Personally if I'm playing in a tournement or playing my buddy for money I'm following the rules but if there's nothing on the line I figure it's recreation and I'm not hitting 3, I'm taking a mulligan! lol.

How to Get Better at Up and Down Shots

This can be a difficult skill to perfect, as there are many variables that affect your ability to stop the ball:

Tips on How to Stop the Ball Dead on Short Approach Shots

When you’re in a tight spot around the green and need to get up and down, it can be helpful to follow these tips:

How Often Do Pro Golfers Get Up and Down?

The PGA website provides many statistical details, some of which either give indirect information about how good they are at getting up and down or give the exact number.

What Is the Difference Between Up and Down and Scrambling?

The difference between getting up and down and scrambling in golf is that you can get up and down from a shot that is up to 175 yards away whereas scrambling is defined as making successful shots from no more than 50 yards.

Practice For a Better Short Game

Now you know what up and down means and just how crucial it is for success on the golf course.

What does "pull" mean in golf?

Pull – When a golfer says they pull their shot, they have hit it directly to the left. Albatross – Another word for double eagle, or when scoring three under on a hole. This only occurs if you were to make a hole in one on a par 4, or hole out on your second shot in a par 5.

What does it mean when a golf putt rolls around the cup?

Lip Out – When your putt rolls around the edge of the cup causing it to change directions. This is terribly frustrating because that means you almost made the putt! Slice – This is probably the most popular of golf terms as it relates to a player’s swing. A slice is occurs when a golfer puts excessive curve on the ball.

What does it mean when a golfer says "I chunked it"?

Chunk – When a golfer says “I chunked it” that usually means that they made contact behind the golf ball, and their club had dug into the ground too deeply. Also could be referred to as hitting it fat. Greenie – If you are playing a gambling format like Nassau usually groups will make side bets.

What is double cross in golf?

Double Cross – When a golfer intends to hit a fade, or a draw but does the complete opposite. For example, if a golfer wanted to hit a fade and then ends up hooking it. Instead of the ball flying from left to right, it goes from right to left. Gimme – When your putt is close enough to the hole that it is considered to be made.

What is a divot in golf?

Divot – The small piece (sometimes large) of turf that comes out when your club makes contact with the ground. Sometimes you don’t even need to take a divot. Flyer – When your ball is in the rough, but propped up a bit then you might have a “flyer” lie. This will cause the ball to travel farther than it normally does.

What is a slice in golf?

A slice is occurs when a golfer puts excessive curve on the ball. For a right-handed golfer, they have sliced it if the ball is moving excessively from left to right. Hook – For a right-handed golfer a hook occurs when the ball travels from right to left, but in a much more exaggerated path.

What is a snowman in golf?

A snowman is when you score an 8 on a hole. Worm Burner – When you strike a shot that barely gets off the ground and just rolls. Ace – Another word for a hole-in-one. Fore – The word you shout as loud as you can when you hit your ball in the direction of another golfer. You need to warn them!