Missing the green and finishing in long grass is one of the most common situations in golf, and one of the most unpredictable. The ball might sit up nicely on top of the grass or nestle down at the bottom, and the shot required is completely different in each case. Learning to read the lie and choose the right technique is the key to saving shots from greenside rough.
Read the lie
| Lie | What it means | Shot |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting up on top | Ball is perched on the grass | Sweep it like a fairway chip; avoid going under it |
| Halfway down | Grass behind and around the ball | Standard rough technique |
| Sitting down | Ball at the bottom of thick grass | Steeper swing, more loft, firm grip |
| Grass growing towards the target | Club slides through more easily | Ball comes out with more run |
| Grass growing away from the target | Grass grabs the club | Swing harder and firmer |
Ball sitting down
- Club: sand wedge or lob wedge.
- Setup: ball in the middle of the stance, weight forward, hands slightly ahead.
- Swing: a steeper backswing with more wrist hinge, and a descending blow.
- Grip: firmer than normal, so the grass doesn't twist the face.
- Follow-through: commit; deceleration leaves the ball in the grass.
The ball will come out lower and run more than you expect. Land it shorter.
Ball sitting up
- Hover the club behind the ball rather than grounding it, to avoid moving the ball and to avoid sliding under it. If the ball moves when you address it, you may incur a penalty. Read ball moved at rest rules.
- Make a shallow, sweeping stroke.
- Watch for the "under the ball" miss, where the club slides beneath and the ball pops up and falls short.
Chipping vs pitching from rough
- Chip when you're close to the edge of the green with plenty of green to work with. Use a pitching wedge or 9 iron if the lie allows.
- Pitch when there's rough or a bunker to carry, or little green to work with. Read wedge play: pitching and spin.
- Flop only when the lie is good enough to slide under the ball. Read how to hit a lob shot.
Expect less spin
Grass trapped between the clubface and ball reduces spin. From rough, the ball usually:
- Flies lower than from the fairway.
- Rolls further after landing.
- Is less predictable from a heavy lie.
Pick a landing spot shorter than usual and allow for the run.
Strategy
- Aim for the fat part of the green from bad lies.
- Avoid short-siding: a ball on the far side of the green is better than one still in the rough.
- Use your bounce: a wedge with more bounce helps the club glide through thick grass. Read how to use the bounce.
- Accept bogey from very bad lies; avoid compounding mistakes.
Read short-sided recovery shots.
Different grass types
Grass varies by course and region. Bermuda rough tends to grab the club; fescue is wispy and easier; thick ryegrass and bluegrass can be very heavy. Read golf grass types.
Practice drills
- Drop and play: drop balls into the rough at random and play each as it lies.
- Lie variety drill: play five balls sitting up and five sitting down, noticing the difference.
- Landing zone drill: place a towel on the green and try to land rough shots on it, watching the roll.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the ball fly further than expected from rough?
When grass gets between the face and ball, spin falls and the ball can "fly", especially from lies where the ball sits up.
Can I use a hybrid from greenside rough?
From light rough, yes. From thick rough, a wedge is usually better.
Should I use a lob wedge from rough?
From a good lie, yes. From a buried lie, a sand wedge with more bounce is often better.
The bottom line
From greenside rough, read the lie first, choose the right loft and commit to a firm, confident strike. Expect less spin and more roll, and aim for the safe part of the green when the lie is bad. For more around-the-green skills, read how to chip in golf.