Where should the ball ideally be placed when playing from a downhill lie?

When playing from a downhill lie, placing the ball slightly back of the middle of the stance is the ideal choice because it helps to ensure solid contact with the ball. A downhill lie often requires players to adjust their stance and ball position to accommodate the slope. By positioning the ball slightly back, it promotes an upward strike on the ball as the club descends during the swing, aiding in proper ball trajectory and helping to prevent the club from hitting the ground too early.

This adjustment also assists in managing the reduced effective loft that typically occurs when hitting from a downhill slope, ensuring that the shots carry the appropriate distance and direction. It allows for better control and prevents issues, such as hitting the ground before making contact with the ball, which can lead to poor shots.

Placing the ball in other positions, such as too far forward or off the left foot, can lead to less desirable outcomes, as it could cause the player to mis-hit the ball or launch it inaccurately due to the downward angle of the lie.