Hitting From the Rough

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Not one of the easier shots in golf, but you can learn how to get out fast and save some strokes along the way.  Remember, the important thing is to get out of the rough and not get fancy!!!! 

I spend a lot of time playing from the rough, when my tee shots are not up to par as you experience as well!!!  But there is hope of getting out of the rough, instead of wasting several shots in the stuff.

Here are a few pointers on dealing with getting out of the rough. 

When you find yourself in tall grass in the rough, use more club, play the ball back in your stance and make a very steep backswing. The idea is to catch as little grass as possible before striking the ball. A normal swing would start catching grass several inches behind the ball and may not move the ball out of the rough at all, which is precisely what you are trying to avoid.. Also, remember that the iron will have less loft when played off the back foot.

As a rule the grass will grab the hosel of the club and cause a pulled shot if you try to hit a normal shot from the rough. If you are standing below the ball it will be magnified as well. Allow for it instead of trying to fight it. Also, you should not try to shape the ball from heavy rough. If you have grass between the ball and the club face, the ball will knuckle rather than turn.

The ball will run more after it lands, and most of the time will not stay in the air as long.

Your primary purpose is to get out of trouble and put yourself in a position to have a chance for par, so don't get greedy. When you do find yourself in trouble in the rough, your main thought should be getting out of the rough, not getting it close to the pin for a birdie. More than likely, that won't happen and you'll get a bogey or even worse.  However, you will be amazed how many times you will actually will pick up your par anyway!!  You may not get it on the green in two, but you can get close enough to chip up and one putt for par!!!