[Kim Hyunjun's Photo Lesson] 'Amex Champ' Swafford "This is How to Play Shots on Complex Slopes"

Swing Keywords: "Maintaining Spine Angle and Knee Height," Unwise Choice of Fairway Wood and Long Iron, "Misalignment" According to Slope

Hudson Swafford is attempting a shot on the downhill slope rough at the 9th hole on the final day of the American Express victory.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyunjun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Knee height is important."

‘American Express Champ’ Hudson Swafford (USA) surged with an 8-under-par in the final 4th round of the American Express held last month at PGA West Stadium Course in La Quinta, California (Par 72, 7,113 yards), securing a 2-stroke victory. It is remarkable that he racked up 1 eagle and 9 birdies (3 bogeys) amid fierce competition for the lead. He earned his third career win after 1 year and 4 months since the Corales Punta Cana Resort & Club Championship in September 2020.

Above all, his short game, producing birdies or better under pressure, stood out, and he outpaced top-ranked players including world No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) and ‘Playoff (PO) Champ’ Patrick Cantlay (USA). This is Swafford’s shot on the 9th hole (Par 4) on a sloped terrain. It was the most difficult downhill slope with the left foot even lower, yet he accurately targeted the green. Amateur golfers instinctively stand up at the moment of contact, often resulting in topping the ball.

The key swing point is maintaining a consistent spine angle and knee height throughout the shot. First, widen the stance at address to firmly establish both feet, and align the shoulders with the slope to focus on impact. The ball position is slightly to the right, and through practice swings, identify where the clubhead touches the ground. Considering the slice ball flight that tends to curve right, aim slightly left of the target.

For beginners and intermediates, choosing a fairway wood or long iron to gain distance here is a risky move. The lower the loft, the more sensitive it is to the slope. If there are penalty areas such as out-of-bounds (OB) or water hazards along the path to the green, focus entirely on escape. For complex slopes, imagine swinging mainly with the upper body. The backswing rises steeper than usual, and the wrist cocking is quicker. The follow-through is omitted.

Uphill slopes are relatively easier. Preparations such as toe-uphill and left foot uphill are similar. Firmly fix the lower body and align the shoulders with the slope. The loft naturally increases, so select a club one length longer, while gripping slightly lower. This time, set a virtual target to the right of the actual target to prepare for a hook. Regularly adjusting mats at the practice range to understand how the ball curves according to the slope can be very effective in real play.