Ever find yourself rushing to the Pro Shop because you forgot the Daily Pin Sheet? STOP IT!
Take a minute to think how much that information is really going to help you – or distract you. How many greens in regulation are you expecting for your round?
In a recent issue of GOLF Magazine, Arccos, which has accumulated a trove of on-course data, shared how many greens in regulation its users hit over a certain time frame.
- 5 handicaps average eight greens in regulation per round
- 10 handicaps average six GIR per round
- 15 handicaps average four a round
So, if you’re a 10 handicap that information may help you 6 times during a round. Same thing goes for range finders. Are you really that good? Maybe just try for the middle of the green!
Here’s a better idea. Instead of grabbing a pin sheet, put this trusty Golf Lie Cheat Sheet in your bag.
This handy reference guide might actually give you a chance at improving your scores by giving you ball striking tips that come into play on any given hole!
Print your own copy here:
Golf ball lie printable cheat sheet
Here’s a more detailed summary for reference:
Ball Above Your Feet
Challenges
- Ball is closer to you, making it easier to pull shots left.
- Swing plane becomes flatter.
Adjustments
- Choke down on the club since the ball is closer
- Stand taller and avoid excessive knee bend
- Aim slightly right (for right-handers) to allow for a draw
- Take one less club since the ball will fly farther
Ball Below Your Feet
Challenges
- Ball is farther away, making it harder to reach.
- Shot tends to fade
Adjustments
- Widen stance and bend knees more to get lower
- Grip down slightly for better control
- Aim slightly left to compensate for the fade
- Stay balanced and swing smoothly—don’t overreach
Downhill Lie
Challenges
- Hard to get weight forward, leading to thin or chunked shots.
- Ball flies lower than usual.
Adjustments
- Match shoulders with the slope to avoid hitting behind the ball
- Move the ball slightly back in your stance
- Use a club with more loft, as the slope will de-loft the club
- Swing with the slope, maintaining balance
Uphill Lie
Challenges
- Ball tends to go higher and shorter.
- Weight can fall back, leading to fat shots.
Adjustments
- Tilt shoulders to match the slope
- Move the ball slightly forward in your stance
- Take more club, as the shot will fly higher and shorter
- Swing with the slope and avoid over-swinging
Ball in a Divot
Challenges
- A tighter, more restricted lie, making it harder to get under the ball.
- It’s easy to hit it thin or chunk it because of the depressed position.
- The ball will likely come out lower than usual due to the steep angle of attack.
Adjustments
- Choose an Iron (not a hybrid or wood)
- If you’re hitting a longer approach, take one extra club
- Play the Ball Slightly Back in Your Stance
- Lean Slightly More Weight Forward
- Grip Down Slightly for More Control
- Swing Steeper and Stay Committed -a firm, descending blow
- Keep Your Hands Ahead of the Ball at Impact
- Expect a Lower Ball Flight with Less Spin and more roll
Hard Pan
Challenges
- Bounce of the club can cause thin shots.
- Harder to get under the ball.
Adjustments
- Use a club with less bounce (like a pitching wedge instead of a sand wedge)
- Play the ball slightly back in your stance
- Make a crisp, descending blow—don’t try to scoop the ball
- Keep hands ahead of the ball to ensure a clean strik
Soggy Ground
Challenges
- Club can dig too much, causing fat shots.
- Less roll after landing.
Adjustments
- Use a club with more bounce to prevent digging
- Grip the club slightly firmer to maintain control
- Play the ball slightly forward and take a smooth, shallow divot
- Avoid taking too much turf—think of “brushing” the ground rather than digging in
Ball In Thick Rough
Challenges
- Grass grabs the clubface, reducing spin and control.
- Clubhead slows down, making it harder to get distance.
- The ball may fly lower or unpredictably.
Adjustments
- Use More Loft
A wedge or short iron (PW, 9-iron) is often the best choice to escape.
If the lie is not too bad, a hybrid or short iron can work for longer shots. - Grip the Club Tighter
Thick grass twists the clubface, so grip firmly to maintain control. - Play the Ball Slightly Back in Your Stance
This promotes a steeper angle of attack, reducing the chance of the club getting stuck. - Open the Clubface Slightly
The grass will close the clubface at impact, so this helps counteract that. - Swing with More Speed & Steepness
A steeper swing helps cut through the grass instead of getting caught in it. - Accelerate through the ball
-don’t decelerate, or the grass will eat up your momentum. - Accept a Controlled Shot Instead of Full Distance
- Don’t Be a Hero—Just Get It Out
Deep Rough Around the Greens
Challenges
- Thick grass will grab the club and reduce spin.
- Difficult to make clean contact.
- It’s easy to catch too much grass and chunk the shot.
- The ball may come out with little spin and more rollout.
Adjustments
- Use a Wedge with More Loft
- Open the Clubface Slightly
The thick grass will try to shut the face, so open it a bit - Grip the Club Tightly and swing longer than normal
Prevents the clubface from twisting in the thick grass - Play the Ball Slightly Forward in Your Stance
Helps promote an ascending strike and prevents digging into the rough. - Use a Steep, Firm Swing
Pick the club up quickly and swing down with a bit more force than usual. - Accelerate through impact—don’t slow down or the rough will grab the club
- Consider Putting or a Hybrid Bump-and-Run if Possible
If the grass isn’t too thick, a putter or hybrid can help bump the ball out smoothly with more predictability.
9) Plugged Lie in the Sand (Fried Egg Shot)
Challenges
- The ball is buried, meaning it won’t come out cleanly.
- Less spin, so the ball will roll more after landing.
- If you use a normal bunker shot technique, the club may bounce off the sand, leading to a thin shot.
Adjustments
- Use a Sand Wedge (or Lob Wedge if Needed)
- Close the Clubface Slightly
Unlike a normal bunker shot where you open the clubface, keep it square or slightly closed to dig into the sand. This prevents the bounce of the club from skipping off the surface. - Dig Your Feet in and Set a Wider Stance
This helps stabilize your body and gives a solid base. - Lean a bit more weight (around 60%) onto your front foot
- Play the Ball Slightly Back in Your Stance
- Use a Steep, Aggressive, Chopping Swing
- Focus on hitting about 1–2 inches behind the ball, not the ball itself
- No Follow-Through
10) Wet or Firm Sand
Challenges
- The club’s bounce doesn’t dig in as easily leading to hitting the ball thin.
- The sand is more compact, so the usual “explosion” of sand is reduced.
- Shots tend to come out lower and roll more.
Adjustments
- Use a Gap Wedge or Sand Wedge (50°–56°) with low bounce
- Square or Slightly Close the Clubface
- Play the Ball Slightly Farther Back in Your Stance
This helps create a steeper angle of attack, ensuring the club doesn’t bounce off the sand and catch the ball thin. - Weight Slightly Forward (about 60%)
This promotes a downward strike and keeps you from falling back on the shot. - Use a More Compact, Controlled Swing
You don’t need a big follow-through because the sand won’t absorb as much energy as in a fluffy lie. - Hit Just Behind the Ball (But Not Too Much Sand
Aim to take a thin layer of sand—think of “skimming” the surface. - Accelerate Through Impact
Don’t decelerate, or the club will dig too much. A firm, confident swing ensures the club moves through.
