Hitting crisp contact out of thick rough requires a committed downward strike to let the clubhead chop through heavy grass. Photo: AFP
The Open Championship proved tough even for the best players trying to hit out of thick bushes and deep rough. Let’s take a look at a few approaches to help you manage this tricky situation.
Hitting from thick grass can be one of the toughest challenges on the golf course. The heavy rough grabs the clubhead, reduces swing speed, and can easily twist the face at impact. The key is to accept the situation, choose a realistic target, and focus on getting the ball safely back into play.
Start by carefully assessing the lie. Check how much grass is behind the ball and whether it is sitting up or buried. When the ball is sitting down, avoid trying to hit a long, ambitious shot. Take a more lofted club, such as a pitching wedge or sand wedge, and aim for the fairway.
Your setup should help you create a steeper angle of attack:
