The Short Knock-down

photo credit: SimonDoggett   If you find yourself faced with a lie that requires a low shot with plenty of roll, play a knock-down shot. 

In order to keep the the flight of the ball low, choose a long iron such as a 4-iron.  Step into the address position and play the ball back in your stance (closer to your back foot).  The height of the shot depends on how far back in your stance the ball is played (the loft of the club is also a determining factor).  Grip down on the club.

On the takeaway, keep the clubhead low to the ground.  If your backswing is too upright, loft will be added to the shot.  There is no need for a full follow-through on short knock-downs.

“Bellied Wedge Shot”

photo credit: nsaplayer   If your ball is resting against the collar of rough bordering the apron of the green, which club would you use?  The putter is not the answer.  The wedge is the preferred club, however, the way the shot is played is far from typical.

1)  With your pitching wedge, apply your putting grip and assume your putting posture.  2)  Choke down on the club in order to gain more control of the stroke.  3)  Hover the clubhead so the leading edge meets the ball’s equator (you do not want the clubhead to be caught in the rough).  4)  Keep your head and shoulders very still and maintain firm wrists with little or no hinge during the swing.  5)  Strike the center of the ball with the leading edge.

Shots From the Rough

photo credit: battlecreekcvb   With all pitch/chip shots, there is a close relationship between height, carry, spin and roll.  Rough can have a huge effect on these kinds of shots.  Striking the ball that’s in the rough is much more difficult then a fairway lie.

The biggest effect the rough will have on your shot will be the lack of backspin, therefore, you can expect a lot more roll once the ball lands on the green (about twice as much).  The reason for more spin is that the clubface makes contact with grass prior to contacting the golf ball.  Since the clubface doesn’t make crisp contact the ball lacks backspin, hence, more roll. 

At address, close the clubface slightly to compensate for the club’s drag once it contacts the grass.

Long Iron From the Rough

photo credit: kevinspencer   Using a 3, 4 or 5-iron from long rough isn’t a bad play if the ball is sitting up in the grass.  Be sure to play the ball in the center of your stance and aim a bit left of your target.  This type of cut-shot begins left and fades right.

The small head of a long iron is susceptible to getting twisted in the taller grass, so maintain a firm grip on the club.  Pull the club through impact with your left arm and be absolutely certain to make a full, firm followthrough. 

The deeper the ball lies in the grass the steeper your swing should be.  In some cases you will have to use an 8 or 9-iron just to get out on the fairway.

Wedging out of Water

photo credit: wfyurasko   Usually a ball that lands in the water will cost a stroke unless it is resting near the bank where a shot can be made.  This shot should be attempted only if a portion of the ball is above the water.

If one foot must remain in the water, balance is key, so taking a penalty stroke should be considered.  If you play the shot, set up as if you had a buried lie in sand.  Use your pitching wedge and set up with a closed face.  The closed face will compensate when the clubface is forced backwards when making contact with the water.  Bring the club up quickly and down hard, aiming about one inch behind the ball.  Make a full follow-through.

Playing out of a Divot

photo credit: Steve Snodgrass    If you have just hit a really great drive, don’t let anger overcome you if you find your ball resting in the middle of a divot hole.  Follow these easy steps:

1)  The use of  an iron is preferable (a metal-wood is usually not advisable).  2)  set-up with a square or slightly closed clubface.  3)  make a steeper swing than usual.  4)  use a slow backswing and hit down harder than you usually would.

Once the ball lands it will have much more roll than normal because of the low trajectory that this shot produces.  Because of the extra roll, the overall distance with the club you are using should be just about the same as a normal shot with the same golf club.

Low Branches

photo credit: Lisa Sanderson   Your ball lies under relatively low hanging trees and there are branches that may restrict your backswing.  The most important thing about this type of shot are your practice swings.  Taking many practice swings is absolutely essential in measuring just exactly where your club meets the branches on your backswing.  Play the ball slightly back in your stance. 

Once you get a feel for the amount of backswing you can take, make a slow and smooth backswing.  Swing primarily with the arms and hands keeping the lower body as still as possible.  A shortened follow-through may also be required.

This shot is similar to the typical knock-down shot.  The idea is to get back on the fairway and be in a good position for your approach shot.

Sidehill Lies

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf   A side-hill lie requires altering your posture which is dictated by your lie.  A ball above your feet is closer to your hands, therefore, it is necessary to stand taller.  Your swing must be flatter (club moves around your body).  If the ball is below your feet it’s farther away from your hands, therefore you must use more knee flex to compensate.  Your swing should be more up-and-down.

The changes in both instances influence ball flight.  The flatter swing creates a shot that drifts right to left (for right handed golfers) so compensate your aim by aiming further to the right.   The steeper swing used for a ball that is below your feet causes the ball to move left to right so aim more to the left

A Controlled Drive

photo credit: bradleypjohnson   There are occasions when hitting erratic tee shots becomes the norm rather than the exception.  If you find yourself inconsistent off the tee try the following soft swing which will create a low-flying shot:

Take your normal stance, play the ball off your left heel and choke down on the handle.  Make a shortened (three-quarter) backswing and do not raise your lead heel off the ground.  Do not allow your hands to roll over through the impact zone.  You will substitute distance for control, which may be a very good trade-off if you are wild off the tee.  This technique can also be used when hitting directly into the wind because the shot will have a low trajectory and roll farther once on the ground.

Lob Shot From Deep Rough

photo credit: stanik2007   If you find yourself in deep rough and you need the ball to fly high and stop quickly try using your sand wedge.  Open your stance and the clubface, make a long slow backswing but be sure to break your wrists quickly so the club can be taken up at a steep angle.  Swing down slow and steady.

Mentally, approach this shot as you would a sand shot.  Slide the club into the grass about an inch or so behind the ball.  One of the most important aspects of this type of shot (as is the sand shot), is that you must execute a full and complete follow-through.  It is very easy for the deep grass to pull at the clubhead so a firm grip must be established.

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