Ryan's Lesson Programs

6/20/2025

Last chance to join the Zen Golf Weekend with world-renowned author and coach, Dr. Joseph Parent!

Dr. Joe has been featured in top publications like Golf Digest, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He’s also coached PGA and LPGA Tour players, including Vijay Singh, Juli Inkster, and Davis Love III.

Dr. Parent is the author of several acclaimed books, including Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game, which has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. His insightful approach to the mental game of golf has made him a sought-after coach at every level of the game.

The Saturday Morning Fireside Chat (register here: Fireside Chat) has plenty of room and is complimentary for Mad River members! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity – use the link to register now.

Additionally, two spots have just opened up for Saturday, June 28th, at 1pm for the Short Game and Putting Clinic (register here: 1pm Clinic), and there is one spot remaining for the Sunday session at 10am (register here: Sunday 10am Clinic).

Dr. Parent will also make himself available for on-course playing lessons with groups of up to 3 players in the later afternoons on the weekend, as well as on Monday, June 30th. These sessions are available at a cost of $300 per person.

Use the links to register before these spots fill up! You won't regret it!

Checklist for a Soft Pitch on a Downhill Lie

1. Sternum Forward
Why: This keeps your low point in line with the slope and helps ensure ball-first contact.
How: Lean your upper body slightly downhill so your sternum matches the slope. Think about your buttons or zipper pointing down the slope.
Feel like your weight is 70/30 on your lead foot.

2. Wide Stance
Why: A wider base gives you better balance when your body is tilted forward and downhill.
How: Set your feet slightly wider than normal pitch shot setup (shoulder width or more).
This helps resist falling forward during the swing.

3. Soft Hands
Why: On a downhill slope, it’s easy to get jabby. Soft hands encourage smoother tempo and better feel through the strike.
How: Relax your grip pressure (about a 3 or 4 out of 10).
Feel like you’re brushing the grass, not chopping at it.

4. Face Points Up
Why: A square or closed face will de-loft too much on a downhill slope. Opening the face helps add back the loft you lose from the slope.
How: Open the clubface slightly at setup, then grip it.
Use a higher lofted wedge (56°–60°) and aim a touch left (face open slightly right).

5. Swing with the Slope
Why: Trying to “lift” the ball leads to fat or thin shots.
How: Match your shoulder angle to the slope and let the club glide down and through with the hill.
Feel like you’re just letting gravity pull the club down and through.

Full Routine
Assess lie – Ball below feet? Plugged? Pick the right loft.
Open stance slightly – Helps with clearance
Sternum matches slope – Weight forward.
Wide base – Lower center of gravity.
Open face – Aim slightly left if you open it a lot.
Relax grip – Feel the bounce.
Smooth swing with the slope – Don’t fight gravity

Thank you for reading,
Ryan Rinneard
Director of Instruction
Mad River GC
Lesson Bookings