How do I hit very low shot out of rough?

[Youngbear11213]

At the course I play at there are a lot of trees, so it is not uncommon to find myself under a tree, needing to just punch the ball out into the fairway. Often times this entails keeping the ball below 6 or so feet and clearing about 20 yards of rough. I have been struggling lately as my shots often either hit the low hanging tree branches or don't clear the rough- very frustrating.

How can I hit a low punch to stay below tree branches but still reach the fairway?

Anything helps. Thanks

[MConstantineJr]

I go about it two ways depending on how much club head club-head control I have that day. I either put the ball back in my stance and make about a 1/2 swing with a lower lofted club or I put the ball forward in my stance (if I'm feeling good control that day) and catch a lower lofted club thin promoting a lower ball flight. I prefer catching it thin as when I put it in the back of my stance I can sometimes come down too steep popping it up too much to stay below the obstacle.

[mvmac]

Check this out. Play the ball back and allow the head to go forward on the downswing.

[MS256]

At the course I play at there are a lot of trees, so it is not uncommon to find myself under a tree, needing to just punch the ball out into the fairway. Often times this entails keeping the ball below 6 or so feet and clearing about 20 yards of rough. I have been struggling lately as my shots often either hit the low hanging tree branches or don't clear the rough- very frustrating.

How can I hit a low punch to stay below tree branches but still reach the fairway?

Anything helps. Thanks

What I do. May or may not apply to everybody:

I move the ball a little back in my stance  and press my hands slightly more forward than usual, pick a club about one loft lower than I think is necessary for the shot, and make sure my hands are still leading the club head by quite a bit at impact. Also try to hold off the natural rotation of the club face post impact and have a much lower finish position.

[Ernest Jones]

I spend a lot of time hitting out of trees...

My technique is to play the ball even with my back foot and choose my club based on a) how low I need to keep it and b) how far I want to send it. Generally speaking it's an 8 or 9 iron but I will go to a 7 or even 6 iron if I have room to get some distance.

EDIT* What they ^^^^^^^ said.

[Lastpick]

Where I live, we generally don't have real thick rough in the trees so here is my take.  I often will hit a low lofted hybrid with a sweeping stroke.  I also choke down and concentrate on keeping the face square or closed a little to keep the ball flight low.  If you hit down on the ball it will most often pop up into the tree.  Don't get quick on your swing.

[boogielicious]

Check this out. Play the ball back and allow the head to go forward on the downswing.

+1 on this for full shots.  If you are closer to the green and don't need a full shot, you can do a pitch shot with a low lofted club.  I have done this near the green with 4 and 5 irons with great success.  I even use it for punching the ball out of trouble.

[vangator]

I use a 3 iron. I play the ball slightly back with more forward press with my hands. Choke up a little. Don't take a full backswing. Accel through the ball. Unless you're talking British Open hayfields, that should work. I hit that shot more than I'd like.

[Mulligan Jeff]

I've spent most of my playing days in the rough and yes, at times deep rough. I play a hooded 5 iron with a set-up of ball between belly button and back foot - keep hands ahead of clubhead throughout swing and finish swing with hands low.