A ball sitting way down in deep rough may be one of the most disheartening sights in all of golf. This is a tricky shot because it is one of the few times in golf where power is really required. The most important thing to do is play smart. If the green is 200 yards away and you’re not confident hitting your 4-iron, it’s time to lay up. Also, remember that the ball will come out hot due to the low trajectory and lack of spin, so plan for some extra roll.
Now, set up with the ball slightly back in your stance. Take a ¾ back swing, and shift your weight hard to your left leg. A strong weight shift helps gain club head speed, ensures your hands will be ahead of the ball on impact, and helps achieve a low, boring trajectory. Thick rough will grab at the clubs hozel and try to close the face. So, to prevent a snap hook, be sure to hold onto the finish, no wrist movement through impact (like a chip). This will keep the clubface open as long as possible. With these steps in mind, getting out of thick rough will be a walk in the park!
Photo Credit: © Sign On San Diego.
I can’t resist mentioning that the picture you used for this post was used for an article about Callway’s tough year. The headline was something like “Callaway is in the Rough.”