Ball sitting high in the rough? 4 adjustments to make

On the surface it looks like a great lie: Your ball is sitting up in the rough. An easy lie, what could go wrong? But play this one wrong, and your clubhead could swipe straight underneath it. A few small adjustments can help you avoid that mistake, and get the best out of these lies. — Nick Bova, one of Golf Digest's Best Teachers in New Jersey

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Assess the lie
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  • How much grass is under the ball?
  • How much grass is between your clubface and ball?
  • Test the texture of the grass by using your club on a nearby patch.
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Ball position forward
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  • Place the ball position forward in your stance.
  • This moves your low point behind the ball so clubhead rises into the ball.
  • The upward strike and new ball position promotes a higher launch.
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Tilt upper body back
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  • Tilt upper body away from the target.
  • A majority of your weight should remain on your front foot.
  • Tilting away will launch the ball higher with a more upward strike.
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Swing up
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  • Feel the club will bottom out then rise subtly into the ball.
  • The ball will launch high from this lie, with less spin.
  • The higher launch means the ball will stop fast when it lands.
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