Overcoming Problem Shots
Taming the Rough
Unless all your shots travel the perfect line and distance, eventually
you'll find the rough. Unlike the mown grass of fairways and greens,
rough can be long and shaggy, sometimes making it hard to find,
let alone hit, your ball.
Because the ball can sink into long grass, you can't rely on a
standard technique to get free. You must change your swing to tame
the rough stuff.
Whenever you're in the rough, assess the lie carefully. Is the ball sit
ting high or has it dropped into the jungle? If it's up, you may be able
to take a long iron or wood and swing normally.
But usually the ball is at least some of the way down, so your only
play might be nothing more than taking a short iron and blasting into
the fairway.
Your primary concern is to get out, even if you advance the ball only
a few yards.
Select a club, set the clubface square, play the ball in the middle of
your stance, and choke down on the grip. Hold the club above the
grass until you swing; pushing it down may make the ball fall
deeper.
Make a steep swing so the clubface encounters limited resistance
from the grass. However, some grass will wrap around the club on
the downswing, closing the face so the ball flies left; aim slightly
right at address to compensate.
Swing hard, but don't bring your hands back higher than your
shoulders; the shortened swing helps maintain balance.
Balls coming out of rough tend to be "hot." Grass getting between
your club and the ball at impact decreases spin, so shots fly lower
than normal and roll after landing -- from wet rough the ball
flies even hotter. Plan accordingly.
Should your ball find greenside rough, play the shot like an
explosion from sand. Using a sand wedge, open your stance (aiming
shoulders, hips, and feet left of your target), play the ball forward in
your stance, and make a wide, U-shaped swing.
Hit behind the ball so it pops up and out; hitting too close launches a
hot shot sure to fly the green.