Heavy fairway rough

[808nation]

What club do you use to get out if the heavy stuff on longer par 4's or 5's? My home course has recently been too lazy or had too much rain in the past months to care about mowing the the rough and I've been struggling to advance the ball with much success. The rough is normally about 2 inches which I can deal with, but 3+ inches is frustrating the $#!+ out of me.

 

I try to use my 3 hybrid on par 5's or to advance the ball to a decent distance for my 3rd shot, or try to hack it out with a higher lofted iron on longer par 4's.

 

#PowerToThePlayer

[revkev]

Hybrid or lofted fairway is often a good choice - you can kind of chunk and run them a long way. Play it back in the stance and punch hard down and through - it comes out really hot.

 

 

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[808nation]

Hybrid or lofted fairway is often a good choice - you can kind of chunk and run them a long way. Play it back in the stance and punch hard down and through - it comes out really hot.

 

 

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Thanks Rev, do you aim a little more to the right of target for right handed players in case the face closes and the ball goes left?

 

#PowerToThePlayer

[tony@CIC]

Hybrid or lofted fairway is often a good choice - you can kind of chunk and run them a long way. Play it back in the stance and punch hard down and through - it comes out really hot.

 

 

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Hmmm I'm going to have to try that. Our rough is pretty high 3-4 in. by design. If the ball is buried in it I generally use a 9i or PW with the idea of just getting it on the fairway. If it's sitting up I'll use a hybrid forward in my stance.

 

Next time it's buried I'll try it back of the stance with my hybrid

 

 

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[tommc23]

Can confirm that this works well. I'll use my 3w from distances I shouldn't because of this and I swing hard and use a low follow through for more roll

 

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[RickyBobby_PR]

Depends on how the ball is sitting what I have in front of me and how aggressive I'm feeling. If I can't get to the green I'll play a club that gets me to a good number

[GB13]

If I can't get to the green in two, I will layup to a good number. If I can I will hit a punch 4 iron. You can really hit down on it and it running.

 

Edit: This approach may not be what I would recommend to everyone, I might use a lofted hybrid or fairway metal.

[buddyrich8]

A lot depends on how it is sitting obviously and the thickness of the grass on the target line it may interact with if launched too low.

I would say if you are having troubles:

1) More weight forward, regardless of club to steepen your attack.

2) Consider a less aggressive goal and use a more lofted club (7-SW).  Play to a great spot for your most high percentage next shot.  If the rough is that high, and your shot out is wayward, you are just compounding your issues. Short shots around the green from thick rough are some of the tougher shots, as you likely know so getting up around the green in that junk is not always a winner either.

 

Hybrids and other lower lofted clubs are far more likely to go wayward than a short conservative shot - which brings in high numbers.

 

Give yourself a putt at par or bogey instead of trying a hero shot.  

IT IS ROUGH, that is part of dealing with rough - it is penal.  Let other players blow up while you minimize damage.

[NiftyNiblick]

I like fairway wood over hybrid for that shot so you can generate more swing speed.

 

If you're fortunate to be currently playing with a thirteen club set, a shot-specific recovery wood is best of all.

 

Buy a Ginty on EBay for next to nothing.

[PAgolfer2017]

Use my Heavenwood for shots like this. If it's thick, I can hit down on the ball and get it out 160ish, or if it's light rough I can take a full swing at it.

[Tparker23]

My home club has very thick rough too. My handicap is 20 so at first I was trying Hollywood shots with hybrids and just putting myself in more trouble. I've started using a 7-PW just to get out and then try save Par from there. That's if the lie is bad obviously. My scores have improved from just taking my medicine when needed. Harder than it sounds to do though as well all know.

 

 

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[808nation]

Appreciate all the great advice I played today and whenever I was in the thick stuff and too far to the green for my irons I busted out my 3 wood and choked down about an inch and a half with the ball middle of my stance and made a solid swing at it and I was pretty surprised how the ball popped right out. I figured the smaller head would be easier to make contact, but I guess the larger 3 wood glides through the grass better. I had fun

 

#PowerToThePlayer

[DaveP043]

I've seen tour pros struggle with really long rough like this. You just have to learn what you can actually succeed with. If the best you can do is hit 8 iron, hit 8. Sometimes the ball sits up and you can hit a lot more. Take what you can, and hit it in the short grass on the next hole.

[Mr. 82]

I'll just let Tin Cup speak for me.

 

https://youtu.be/rVfIhrHTs5M

 

 

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[Angry Yeti]

For me it depends on how thick the grass is and how deep the ball is in the stuff.

 

One of the courses near me the rough is so thick you run the risk of losing your ball anytime a ball touches it. As many times as I tried I couldn't get my woods through the stuff to make solid contact. When I play that course now I'll swap in a heavy GI 4 iron and try to hack through the stuff. It's still not going to be perfect, but it's been my best option this far.

 

On the other end of the spectrum there is a very forgiving Links course near my parents that mows the rough fairly short. When playing there I leave that 4 iron at home and use a fairway wood to drive it out.

[revkev]

Back at 808Nation - I don't aim right - I do open the club face just a bit - someone wrote it in a later reply but the key is leaving yourself where you will have a chance at par and not worse than bogey.  I had lots of long opportunities from the rough yesterday - long, wet stuff, the ball was not going anywhere, St. Pete Country is an old school course that is very tight - tons of shots in the 190-170 range some of it out of the rough, normally the first cut though - just keep advancing it down the fairway towards the green and then pitched and putted my way to par - I actually made two birdies from the rough, one from 118 with a wedge over some trees and the other from 173 with a 5 hybrid.

[PING Apologist #9]

What club do you use to get out if the heavy stuff on longer par 4's or 5's? My home course has recently been too lazy or had too much rain in the past months to care about mowing the the rough and I've been struggling to advance the ball with much success. The rough is normally about 2 inches which I can deal with, but 3+ inches is frustrating the $#!+ out of me.

 

I try to use my 3 hybrid on par 5's or to advance the ball to a decent distance for my 3rd shot, or try to hack it out with a higher lofted iron on longer par 4's.

 

#PowerToThePlayer

3+ inches?! Holy cow!

 

 

I've read all the replies to this and as many have stated, using a hybrid or even a fairway wood if the ball is down still sounds scary to me. I'd most likely go with a punch-out 4-5 iron with the ball in the back of my stance. My thought would be that an iron will "cut" better than a broad-faced headed club. I've had pretty good luck with this shot lately, but maybe the deepest I've been in is maybe 2" at most.

[Kor.A.Door]

Playing in this thick Bermuda rough, our course keeps it 2”. If the ball sits down to the bottom you cannot hit it with a hybrid or wood, the ball simply won't go anywhere. If your intent is to get to the green from 150 yards, forget about it, you can't. I know many of you play this same rough, and you know that the object in this rough is to 1. Get it out. 2 keep it in the fairway. If you haven t had the pleasure of playing in this rough. Good for you. Don't. If you ever find yourself in a place that has thi last rough, take ball drop it in, push it to the bottom of the grass and see what you need to use to get it out. A fairway wood or hybrid is the last thing on your mind. I've seen newbies try and take a 3 wood and get it out, they manage to hit it about 10 feet or less right in front of them. Best bet for thick heavy rough, use 8 iron or higher loft, grip tight and swing hard, the grass will likely grab the hosel so you kind of have to adjust your aim for that

[SteddyGolf]

What club do you use to get out if the heavy stuff on longer par 4's or 5's? My home course has recently been too lazy or had too much rain in the past months to care about mowing the the rough and I've been struggling to advance the ball with much success. The rough is normally about 2 inches which I can deal with, but 3+ inches is frustrating the $#!+ out of me.

 

I try to use my 3 hybrid on par 5's or to advance the ball to a decent distance for my 3rd shot, or try to hack it out with a higher lofted iron on longer par 4's.

 

#PowerToThePlayer

My name is Sloan and I'm a YouTube addict

 

https://youtu.be/SuMVnYX25uQ

 

 

 

 

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[Kor.A.Door]

My name is Sloan and I'm a YouTube addict

 

https://youtu.be/SuMVnYX25uQ

 

 

 

 

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I would dream of hitting out of rough like that. Most of the time here we can barely see the ball.

[SteddyGolf]

I would dream of hitting out of rough like that. Most of the time here we can barely see the ball.

I think the basic concept remains the same regardless of length and or thickness. Aimee lives in California so maybe not as challenging as the Fort Mill/Charlotte area.

 

 

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[Kor.A.Door]

I think the basic concept remains the same regardless of length and or thickness. Aimee lives in California so maybe not as challenging as the Fort Mill/Charlotte area.

 

 

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Concept is similar, but club choice is probably different.

[Charli]

Heavy and the balls buried ill usually go with an 8-9 and come at it a little steeper just to get it out.

[fixyurdivot]

Good thread. Some interesting tips here I wouldn't have thought to try.

[perseveringgolfer]

On 8/26/2018 at 1:12 AM, 808nation said:

What club do you use to get out if the heavy stuff on longer par 4's or 5's? My home course has recently been too lazy or had too much rain in the past months to care about mowing the the rough and I've been struggling to advance the ball with much success. The rough is normally about 2 inches which I can deal with, but 3+ inches is frustrating the $#!+ out of me.

 

I try to use my 3 hybrid on par 5's or to advance the ball to a decent distance for my 3rd shot, or try to hack it out with a higher lofted iron on longer par 4's.

 

#PowerToThePlayer

first rule of being in heavy rough is take your medicine and get it back on the fairway. Depending on the lie will dictate whether you move it 20 yds or 150 yds. More loft, slightly open face and play right of centre in your stance will ensure the ball comes out clean.

Don't take on the hero shot as that will result in doubles and triples or worse.

A famous pro (Gary Player I think it was) said "dont follow a bad shot with another bad shot"

Get it back to the short stuff, then onto the green or beside it for a bogie then move on. 

 

p.s my last course the rough was easily 10 inches and thick, sometimes it took a SW with a way open face and grip tightly, then pick the club up steeply, ball comes out everytime.

[perseveringgolfer]

On 8/29/2018 at 5:24 AM, SteddyGolf said:

My name is Sloan and I'm a YouTube addict

 

https://youtu.be/SuMVnYX25uQ

 

 

 

 

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you call that rough? 

 

this is closer.....

 

[Kenny B]

Phil said last week after playing in the Ryder Cup at age 48 that he was done playing tight courses with heavy rough. Doesn't fit his game.  Does that mean he won't be playing in the US Open anymore?

[srooch2]

You guys make this game way to complicated, I just move the ball around with either my foot or the club until the ball is gently resting on the grass with a perfect lie....

Problem solved

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[Har in the Hat]

8 iron. sharp descending blow. Always works for me. I don't go for distance but to get back into play

 

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... and being in your 50's helps as well. Ego no longer comes into play (trying to get it on in 2)