Hitting out of the rough is tough

What should you do when hitting a shot out of the rough? First, you need to accept that the lie may be difficult to hit from. The rough is meant to challenge the golfer. It takes good decision-making to avoid losing too many strokes.
Here are some of the most common rough mistakes:
• Picking the wrong club. Not taking into consideration how the grass affects the ball can lead to a poor club choice. Longer irons and fairway woods make it difficult to get good contact.
• Trying to muscle the ball out. Swinging harder makes things worse by throwing off your rhythm and balance.
• Trying a low-percentage shot. Instead, you need to lay up or pitch the ball back to the fairway.

It needs to start with an assessment of your lie. Look at the direction of the grass. Is the grass growing with the ball? Is the grass against or around the ball, causing more resistance? Check the slope of the shot. Is the ball above your feet, which can cause a hook, or below your feet, which can cause a fade?
How does the lie affect the shot?
• Sitting up: Use your normal club for that distance. However, the ball could fly farther.
• Nestled down or buried: The ball will have less spin and less carry and requires a steeper swing and a more lofted club.
• Grass behind the ball: Take an extra club because the ball may come out dead.

Next, you need to adjust your setup to the ball:
• Open your stance, similar to a bunker shot, with 60% of your weight on your target side.
• Use a wider stance and move the ball back in your stance to enable a downward strike and ball-first contact.
• Grip the club more tightly because the thick grass will cause the clubhead to twist at impact.

In conclusion, hitting out of the rough is difficult, and you need proper course management. Making key adjustments can turn a potential disaster into a decent hole.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com