Cure the Inglorious Shank

photo credit: USACE Europe District   Nothing is more damaging to a golfers psyche than the shank shot.  A shanked shot can destroy your confidence, in fact, it can act like a virus that destroys a computer.  There grows an inherent fear that it will happen again and again.  If you shank more than a couple of shots in any one round seek an experienced instructor immediately. 

To avoid a shank, it seems natural to stand farther away from the ball which is the opposite of what you should do.  Stand closer to the ball and make sure that you keep both elbows close to the body.  Shanking is the result of hitting the ball with the housel of the club which makes the ball squirt right (right handers).

Playing From Deep Rough

photo credit: Patrick Hoesly   Playing a shot in deep rough is only slightly different than playing a sand shot.  Use the club’s bounce to skid the club through the grass (instead of sand) so the ball pops out just like a sand explosion shot.  Instead of creating a cloud of sand, it will be a cloud of grass. 

There is one slight difference with a bunker shot, the club is taken back on a slightly steeper angle.  When swinging out of the rough, the backswing should be shallower.  The stance is about the same as a bunker shot, however.

Instead of hitting an inch or two behind the ball as in a bunker shot, hit three or four inches behind the ball in deep rough and power the clubhead through the grass.  Execute a strong, full finish.

Rough Success

photo credit: Tom Purves   Most players, when playing from greenside rough, try to put spin on the ball to help control or stop the shot once it lands on the green.  The problem is that it’s very difficult to know exactly how much spin will actually be on the ball.  The primary factor that determines the amount of spin is how deep the ball is in the grass.  When contact is made, if there is too much grass between the clubface and the ball, the shot will come out hot.

Try to play this shot as if you were in a sand trap.  Open your stance and with an open clubface, make a more upright swing.  You will get plenty of height and the ball should land softly on the green.

The Knockdown Shot

photo credit: jans canon   The knockdown shot is great in the wind because you exert more control over the shot than with a full swing.  To hit the knockdown shot try the following technique:

Take one more club than you normally would and play the ball a bit back in your stance.  Make a three-quarter backswing but be sure to allow your arms to turn over through the impact zone.  Do not play this like a punch shot where your clubface stays square past impact.  With the knockdown shot your clubface should rotate from open to closed.  Be sure that your hands lead the clubhead through the shot.

With the knockdown shot, the ball will stay low (great for windy days) and run farther than a normal golf shot.

Green-side Uphill Chip

photo credit: Digital Sextant   Your approach runs past the elevated green, down a steep embankment and sits in the rough, now what?  Choose a club with enough loft to get you back up on the green without hitting the embankment;  a pitching wedge. 

Visualize the shot and make sure you ”target” your landing area on the green.  Play for the break once the ball lands on the green.  Walk up to the green, pick out a landing target and imagine making a putt from that area, it will help you visualize your shot. 

Take a narrow and slightly open stance.  Grip down on the club and maintain a very light grip.  Once the swing begins, let the weight of the clubhead do the rest.