Close Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • PGA Tour
  • Equipment
  • How To
  • Courses
  • Buyer’s Guide
  • Travel

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest golf news and updates directly to your inbox.

Trending

6 Selections Our Betting Expert Recommends

July 9, 2025

This Paralyzed Golfer Breaks Par—Here’s His Secret!

July 9, 2025

Insights from a Fitter: Callaway Apex Ti Fusion 250 Plated Irons Review

July 9, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Press Release
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Daily DufferDaily Duffer
  • Home
  • News
  • PGA Tour
  • Equipment
  • How To
  • Courses
  • Buyer’s Guide
  • Travel
Subscribe
Daily DufferDaily Duffer
Home»Courses»Is a long, brutal rough essential for keeping top players’ scores in check?
Courses

Is a long, brutal rough essential for keeping top players’ scores in check?

News RoomBy News RoomJune 20, 2024No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Architect Steve Smyers, known for designing golf courses such as Old Memorial in Florida and Maridoe in Dallas, discusses the impact of rough on golf ball spin and scoring in an interview with Golf Digest. He highlights the importance of light rough, which affects the spin and launch angle of the ball, especially for elite players like Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy. Smyers notes how the USGA’s boxed groove ruling in 2010 changed the dynamics of hitting the ball out of the rough and controlling spin.

As the game has evolved, Smyers explains that putting surfaces have become firmer and faster, making scoring for elite players about controlling spin and launch angle. Light rough introduces uncertainty and imprecision, impacting strategy and course management. He emphasizes the significance of driving accuracy in golf, recalling advice from Ben Hogan about the importance of driving well to attack the golf course, rather than being attacked by it when driving poorly.

Smyers advocates for a graduated rough system for major tournaments to penalize players according to their misses. He believes in prioritizing driving accuracy and using light rough to challenge players to manage their way out of difficult situations. Design elements like putting surfaces and hole locations play a key role in rewarding fairway shots and putting rough shots at a disadvantage, without making it impossible for players to recover.

Smyers suggests that average or below-average golfers can benefit from rough that only goes up to the equator of the ball, allowing them to navigate around the course with more flexibility. He highlights the importance of providing openings for all types of golfers to maneuver the course effectively. He argues against deep rough, emphasizing the need to keep players moving and prevent them from spending time searching for lost balls.

In modern golf course architecture, Smyers believes that short rough is underutilized and recommends growing rough to the point where the top of the golf ball is exposed, providing a challenge for players without hindering gameplay. He stresses that ankle-deep rough is not necessary to control scoring and suggests a more strategic approach to course design that benefits all levels of golfers. Overall, Smyers emphasizes the balance between challenging players and creating an enjoyable golfing experience for all.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
News Room
  • Website

Related Posts

Potential Reopening of Short Golf Course Near Las Vegas Strip

December 6, 2024

Florida State Law Proposed to Ban Golf Courses in State Parks

December 5, 2024

New Tee Time Booking Process Introduced by Bandon Dunes Golf Resort for 2026

December 2, 2024

$2 million renovation planned for Aretha Franklin’s estate near Detroit Golf Club

December 1, 2024
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Demo

Top News

Review of the 2025 Maxfli Tour X, Tour, and Tour S Golf Balls

April 1, 202520 Views

Review of Ram FXT Irons on Plugged In Golf

November 7, 202414 Views

Review of the Aldila Ascent Shaft on Plugged In Golf

May 26, 202414 Views

Review of the Mileseey IONME2 Rangefinder on Plugged In Golf

January 28, 202513 Views

Don't Miss

Equipment

Callaway Shakes Things Up: Introducing the Apex Ti Fusion Plated and Ti Fusion 250

By News RoomJuly 9, 2025 Equipment

Callaway’s New Chrome Irons: A Fresh Twist on the Apex Ti Fusion Hey there, golf…

Rory McIlroy Dominates with Vintage Persimmon Driver and Delivers a Hilarious Comeback

July 9, 2025

2025 Genesis Scottish Open: Round 1 Thursday Tee Times

July 9, 2025

How Golf—isn’t that surprising?—is Driving an Incredible Wimbledon Journey

July 9, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest golf news and updates directly to your inbox.

Daily Duffer
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo YouTube
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Press Release
  • Advertise
  • Contact
© 2025 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.