Best Way to Recover Shots from a Goodish Lie in Semi-Rough in Golf

Your ball is lying quite well in the semi-rough some 120 yds (110 m) from the green. There is very little rough between your ball and the target. Any loss of length caused by the rough will probably be compensated for by the fact that the ball will fly out with very little back-spin, so that it rolls well after bouncing. Take the same club as you would for this distance if the ball was on the fairway.

Grip

Adopt your normal grip for this situation. Make sure you hold the club lightly but firmly, leaving the mandatory 1/2 in (12 mm) of the shaft above your hands.

Stance

Take the normal width of stance for this length of shot, but the weight should be favouring the left side, while the hands should be slightly more in front of the ball than usual – this is to avoid catching the grass on the backswing. Place the club head very carefully behind the ball, which should be slightly left of centre in the stance.

Posture

Stand with your weight forwards on the balls of the feet and with very little knee flex. The body should be square to the intended flight line.

Swing movement

Swing the club smoothly away from the ball, cocking the wrists early. This helps to create a steeper club-head approach to the ball, ensuring that as little grass as possible is caught between the club head and the ball.

It is essential that the swing remains smooth. Any ‘violence’ will dig the club head into the ground before the ball is struck. Swing freely with both arms, which will help to ensure that the swing path at impact is pointing at the target and the club face is square to the target line. Continue the swing to a full follow through.

Good timing and balance will prevent you from rushing this shot, so your results from the semi-rough should be no worse than those played from the fairway.

Instructions:

• Having decided on the shot to be played and chosen the club (here a No. 7 iron is best), stand behind the ball and choose the intermediate target.

• Take up the stance with the weight favouring the left side and the hands in front of the ball, which is just left of centre. This is to avoid catching the grass first.
• A smooth, slow, rather steep backswing with soft hands will enable you to deliver the club head to the ball from a steeper angle than normal with this club.
• After impact, the left arm continues forwards and to he inside, with the upper body remaining behind the ball’s position at address. This creates extension through the ball, preventing the right side from dominating.
• The swing continues to the follow-through position, bringing the head round by the natural turning of the body so that the eyes are on the ball as it flies to the target.