If you are losing strokes when you have to deal with tall or thick rough, here are a few tips you may find helpful.

1. Use a lofted wood or lofted iron
Long irons are the most difficult clubs to use successfully in the rough. If you can see at least one third of the ball above the grass use a utility wood. The smaller round head of a 5,7,or 9 wood will not get snagged as easily when it passes through the grass. If the ball is completely submerged in the grass use a 6 iron or less. The extra loft will help you get the ball airborne and back to the fairway.

2. Take a divot after the ball
Whatever club you choose to swing make sure the clubhead is striking the ball with a descending blow. Do not try to lift or scoop the ball with your swing. The key to successful rough shots is to get as little grass between the clubface and the ball as possible. A descending blow insures the cleanest ball clubface contact possible. Let the loft of the club and the backspin created from the descending arc take care of getting the ball airborne.

3. No big slice, No big hook
The thicker or deeper the rough the straighter the ball will tend to fly. Grass between the ball and the clubface negates spin which means the ball will fly straighter and lower than normal. If you catch too much grass before striking the ball the hosel will get stuck , the face will close and you will pull the shot. Try your best to catch it clean and if there is a strong chance you may not, allow for it to go a little left.

4. Ball position is crucial
Too far forward means too much grass, too far back means too little loft. For the longer clubs the ball position should be slightly left of center. For the shorter clubs position the ball directly in the middle. If your swing is unorthodox experiment until you find the spot where you can consistently strike the ball before you catch enough grass to have the shot pull to the left.

Until next time,