Tiger tips: hit it straight and solid from an uphill lie – Lesson Tee – Tiger Woods talks about his knee surgery – Interview
Tiger Woods
The key to playing from an uphill lie is swinging along the slope. The best way to accomplish that is to play the ball a little forward in your stance and match your shoulders to the angle of the slope at address. Swing down the slope going back and up the slope on the through-swing.
Most players, including myself, tend to pull the ball to the left on uphill lies because leg drive is inhibited going into the slope. The upper body outraces the lower body, and the result is a yank to the left. Instead of setting up well right of the target and playing for the left-to-left ball flight, I set my feet, hips and shoulders square to my target line and hold the clubface open through impact. This requires strength and balance.
Because the ball launches from a higher angle on an uphill lie, it won’t carry quite as far. Consequently, you should take one more club than normal for the yardage and swing smoothly.
TigerTalk with Mark Soltau
MENDING MY KNEE
I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee, Dec. 12. The knee had been giving me problems the latter part of 2002. I knew it was inflamed. I eased off running and took antibiotics, but the pain persisted. That’s when doctors advised me to have the operation.
It was performed by Dr. Thomas Rosenberg at HealthSouth Surgical Center in Park City, Utah. During the one-hour procedure, he removed fluid on the inside and outside of my anterior cruciate ligament and also removed some benign cysts. My friend Mark O’Meara has a home in Park City, and I hung out with him for a few days.
The timing of the operation was important to allow me plenty of recovery time before the start of the 2003 PGA Tour season. That said, I still might have to skip the Mercedes Championships in Hawaii, depending on how my rehab goes. I had to stay off my feet for 10 days before beginning light exercises. The doctor assured me I should be able to come back stronger than ever.
CHANNEL SURFING
When I watch television, it’s usually one of three channels: ESPN, the Discovery Channel or the History Channel. I’m kind of inquisitive and really enjoy the History Channel.
MOVIES: TWO THUMBS UP FOR …
Despite what you might think, my life’s not that sheltered. When I’m home, I love going to the movies and do it all the time. I just saw “The Tuxedo” with Jackie Chan. It takes amazing physical talent to do what he does, but then he also makes it look funny. He’s an incredible performer. My favorite movie of all time is “Caddyshack.” Every time I watch it, I see something new. There are so many great lines.
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