How To Hit From A Heavy Rough
By Glenn Mcanally
Once your ball lands in a deep rough, all the principles of the golf swing designed to help you hit the ball far and straight no longer apply. More variables come into play and you have to make some calculated decisions based on how far you lie from the green and how deeply down your ball lies in the rough. Do you play it safe by hitting the ball a few feet onto the fairway or go for the green by trying to kill the ball and risk totally missing it?
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
When you reach your ball, assess how thick the grass is and how deeply your ball lies down in it. If your ball sits on top, swing as you would with the club that will get your ball the farthest or to the green. If the ball is deep down, pull out your pitching wedge.
With your pitching wedge, take a practice swing through the grass. Feel how the grass slows your club down.
Tighten your left hand grip. You will not be swinging through the ball. You will be striking the club through grass to get to the ball.
Align your body so that the golf ball is slightly back from the center of your stance. This assures that you will hit the ball with a downward strike.
Make a full backswing and keep your left hand tight or else the grass will close your club face (twist it counter-clockwise) and prevent you from getting your ball airborne and out of the rough.
Tips & Warnings
You will want to swing extra hard because the grass will slow down your club head speed.
Don't try to hit a 150 yard shot to the green when you're in grass that is past your ankles. You'll hit the ball beautifully, but it will only travel one or two inches until the next thicket of grass stops it dead.
About The Author
Glenn McAnally is a thriller novelist and life long golfer who lives in Southern California. His most recent work is the action thriller Endangered as well as a story credit for the upcoming Nintendo DS title Elite Forces: Unit 77. He is a graduate of Villanova University.
