Hitting Out of the Rough

When you find your ball in long grass, you must carefully plan an escape. All golfers at any level will hit misplayed shots that find their way into the long rough. Even the best players in the world struggle at times with the long grass. (WireImage.com) Their ball may come to rest in the wispy weather that hounds a British links course...or lie tucked away in the knotted Bermuda grass of a Florida resort...or even become hidden in the same deep bluegrass that will trap errant shots later this year during the Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. These situations call for some wise course management. So, in planning the recovery shot -- yes, it needs to be a recovery and not a heroic save -- your first consideration is the position of the ball in the grass. Has the ball nestled to the ground or is there a pad of grass beneath it? How long is the grass surrounding the ball? Is the grass a heavy dense blade or is it dry and light? This combination of ball position and grass will dictate what clubs can successfully extract the ball. Try to choose a club with as much loft as possible, as the ball spin will be less affected if the starting path of the shot rises out of the grass quickly. If the ball is up in the grass, a high-lofted wood or hybrid is possible. However, if the ball rests on the ground, be sure to choose a high-lofted iron. When you play this shot, try to be a surgeon that dissects a ball with as little damage as possible. To do so, you need a swing shaped with a sharply descending path. When taking your grip, try to use the lightest grip pressure possible so that your wrists may stay hinged in the forward swing, while they create a sharply downward path. The lie with a grass pad under the ball will gain height easier as the club will retain more of its loft throughout the shot. Next, plan where your shot needs to end for you to chalk it up as a true recovery. Then, use your ensuing shots to save your score. Recovery shots may not be highlight reel shots, but they can make or break your round.