HOW TO PLAY IT

Stronger is better

Taking your medicine begins with club selection. While it’s tempting to choose more loft in the hope of a more vertical landing angle, your prime goal here is to get the ball up the slope and on to the green. So whichever wedge you’re tempted to use, choose one stronger – e.g. pitch over gap. This is even more important when playing off an upslope, which is a natural launch enhancer.

Key delivery thought Hands lead

Forget that high, dropping shot that might only come off once in 15 attempts; we are going to play a lower, more driven shot that forces the ball up the hill and on to the green, accepting that it’ll probably run a little past the hole. Our address position sets up this shot, but reinforce the feeling by rehearsing the feel of the handle leading the clubface through the strike.

Set-up Promote a more driven flight

Use your address position to cement your commitment to taking your medicine. Play the ball fractionally behind the centre of a narrow stance, and feel some extra pressure under your lead foot. Check:

Your shirt buttons are just forward of the ball. You’ve created some shaft lean, the handle forward of the clubface.

Forward thinking

Play the shot with a punchy, purposeful rhythm, keeping your weight on your lead foot throughout. Your overriding thought should be to send the ball forwards rather than upwards. With a little practice and plenty of commitment, you’ll create a crisp strike that sees the ball carry that penal slope in front of you, and run out on the putting green. And remember: any medal is good.