In the summer, golf courses are typically in prime condition with firm fairways and thick rough. Different grass types in different regions can impact your game, requiring adjustments in your approach. To help golfers navigate the challenges of playing from thick rough, here are 10 tips for success.
The first tip is to assess the lie of the ball in the rough. Just because the ball is in the rough doesn’t mean it’s a bad lie. If the ball sits up on top of the grass, you can play it like a normal shot. However, if the ball sits down, adjustments to your setup and game plan are needed.
Good contact with the ball is essential when playing from thick rough. Tilt your shoulders towards the target to ensure direct contact with the ball. Your weight should be on your forward foot to maintain the proper angle for contact. Club selection is also crucial when playing from thick rough, as de-lofting the club affects how the ball will travel.
Being aggressive is important when the ball is sitting down in the rough. Avoid falling back and lifting the ball, as this can lead to poor contact. Understanding how fescue grass impacts your shot is key on northern courses with long fescue grass. Using a higher lofted club and playing the ball back can help you extract the ball from thick grass.
When faced with bad lies around the green, leaning towards the target with both shoulders and weight can help. Pitching may be necessary when hitting from super thick rough around the green. Additionally, it’s important to avoid long carries over water or sand when the ball is sitting down in the rough.
Chipping from long grass with little green to work with requires precision. Using a more lofted club, gripping down, and executing a narrow stance can help pop the ball out of the grass. Finally, the technique for hitting from thick rough can be applied to various bad lies on the golf course, such as divots, bunkers, or pine straw.
By following these 10 tips for success in thick rough, golfers can improve their game and lower their scores. Adjusting your setup, focusing on good contact, and using the right club selection can help you navigate the challenges of playing from thick rough during the summer months.
