Takeaway in the rough

[cirem22]

Since im still working on getting a halfway decent swing i spend more time on the range and less on the course. One issue I run into is my initial takeaway when i get into some thick rough. Obviously on the range or fairway i have no restrictions and the takeaway can be nice and smooth. Once i get into the rough I get uncomfortable with my takeaway with longer irons due to the thick grass restricting the club head. I have tried to lift the club head up quicker but it takes me out of plane. Any advice on this situation? bring it back faster causing more force out of the grass?

[normdamarine]

Since im still working on getting a halfway decent swing i spend more time on the range and less on the course. One issue I run into is my initial takeaway when i get into some thick rough. Obviously on the range or fairway i have no restrictions and the takeaway can be nice and smooth. Once i get into the rough I get uncomfortable with my takeaway with longer irons due to the thick grass restricting the club head. I have tried to lift the club head up quicker but it takes me out of plane. Any advice on this situation? bring it back faster causing more force out of the grass?

this problem is one we all struggle with... In thick rough you must get the club up quicker than normal and get steeper on the ball at impact.

The other tip I could give you might not help that much because I am sure you already know it... Don't hit it in the deep rough...

[NormH3]

Long irons in deeper rough can be tough to manage. Find yourself a nice rescue or 5 wood for those situations.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Long irons in deep rough is a risky shot for even elite players, let alone ametuers. normdamarine's advice is your only option really. You gotta get the club head out of that stuff. Depending on the situation, if im left in a deep rough lie most of the time its a punch out back to the fairway.

[Golf_Gal]

I'll use either my 4 hybrid or my 5 hybrid in situations like this where the ball is in the rough, esp. in tall grass. These hybrids really help cut through the grass on impact :)

[Fourputt]

Since im still working on getting a halfway decent swing i spend more time on the range and less on the course. One issue I run into is my initial takeaway when i get into some thick rough. Obviously on the range or fairway i have no restrictions and the takeaway can be nice and smooth. Once i get into the rough I get uncomfortable with my takeaway with longer irons due to the thick grass restricting the club head. I have tried to lift the club head up quicker but it takes me out of plane. Any advice on this situation? bring it back faster causing more force out of the grass?

Another suggestion, don't ground your club behind the ball. Both for the problem you are having, as well as the possibility of the ball moving when you do, it's a good idea to learn how to hit the ball with the club held as much as 4-6 inches behind the ball on your normal takeaway arc. I do this in deep rough and it usually works just fine.

As mentioned above though, hitting long irons from anything more than light rough is a chancy thing. A lofted fairway wood (5W or 7W) or a 22° to 25° hybrid is a better choice. And sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and layup with a short iron or wedge to a safe spot in the fairway.

[right handed phil mickelson]

Just like Fourputt said, what you can try and do is suspend the club where it would normally be behind your ball, but just above the grass. You'll still have the same swing, but no grass in your way :)

[sean_miller]

Long irons in deep rough is a risky shot for even elite players, let alone ametuers. normdamarine's advice is your only option really. You gotta get the club head out of that stuff. Depending on the situation, if im left in a deep rough lie most of the time its a punch out back to the fairway.

I'm with you on this one - in thick rough, anything more than a 5-iron is more risk than reward.

[Dub]

I fully agree with the above advice....steeper backswing and proper club selection (hybrids are nice here if you can use something with limited loft....most times I have to use a mid-iron and go after it).

About the only thing that I can add to the prior advice by others is to step off a couple of yards and take a controlled practice swing or two in the same lie. Get the feel of what is to come.....prepare for the grabbing of the grass....ingrain the steeper swing angle.

If nothing else the few practice swings will cut down the rough in those spots....golfers playing after you will appreciate it!!!! Mow that rough down for them.

[cirem22]

thanks guys, i wasn't aware it was such a bad idea to try a long iron from the thick rough, it makes perfect sense though. I don't own a 5 wood or a rescue, i guess i now know m x-mas gift idea lol, for now ill work with my 3 hybrid and practice starting my takeaway inches behind the ball.

[Blades4me]

Since im still working on getting a halfway decent swing i spend more time on the range and less on the course. One issue I run into is my initial takeaway when i get into some thick rough. Obviously on the range or fairway i have no restrictions and the takeaway can be nice and smooth. Once i get into the rough I get uncomfortable with my takeaway with longer irons due to the thick grass restricting the club head. I have tried to lift the club head up quicker but it takes me out of plane. Any advice on this situation? bring it back faster causing more force out of the grass?

IMO, going at a ball that is down in thick rought with less than a 8i isn't going to work to well. For this type of lie I pull out a 8,9 or pw depending on how deep down it is and where I want the ball to end up. I don't look for more than 125 yds out at best. I will address the ball like a sand shot with the leading edge of the club at rough height and focus on the back of the ball b/c thats where I want to hit the ball, on the back, and plays the ball back in the stance. This will give you a steeper angle of attack with a better chance of getting the club head on the ball. Then swing hard and keep the wrists firm.

I can't say enough about practice. And the way to practice this is to see what happens when you play the ball back in your stance. Start on good lies. This will give you an idea of how far back to play the ball in your stance. Your back swing should always be in tempo; for me that is slow.

[WUTiger]

The "Maltby Playability Factor" book by Ralph Maltby has an interesting diagram on how the ball sits up in the rough (p. 258).

If your ball is in fertilized (plush) rough, the grass is denser but the ball sits up a bit more. If you are in unfertilized rough (stringy), the grass offers less resistance but the ball settles to the bottom.

One benefit of going with a 7-iron or higher and just getting it out: You use the loft to pop the ball up and out. Going with longer irons means you hit the ball through the grass more before it goes up. This requires a much more flawless swing performance to pull off successfully.