"Pendulum" pitches in heavy rough?

[WUTiger]

Signed up for an intro membership at a Nicklaus-designed course in the area, and played my first "member" 18 holes there yesterday. (I had played there last season in scrambles)

Last year, I worked to develop a pendulum pitch stroke for my partial wedges inside 80 yards. Idea: Emphasize an arm swing to keep alignment, with the hips mainly following.

Anyway, I hit a majority of the fairways with my tee shots, but was spraying my approach shots and not doing very well accounting for a strong crosswind. The rough was thick, and I had my worst time in recent memory with my partial wedges. Lots came up short, or were pushed or pulled. And, on two holes I blasted a ball from one trap, over the pin, and into the trap behind it.

In all, I had 31 assorted wedge shots on the day - most from inside 50 yards - and didn't even break 100. (Yes, my HDCP index shown is from last year. This was my first individual 18 this season, so my new index will be up in June).

Question: Any adjustments in set-up or address I can make to get the ball out of tough rough with a pendulum swing? Or, does it look like I need to switch to partial wedge shots with more hip drive?