[Kim Haneul's FunFun Golf] 'Green Perimeter Rough Shot'

Head open, ball aligned with left heel
Body left, club short, grip firm

There is a common trait among amateur golfers I met at the pro-am. They are good at tee shots, but fail to get the ball on the green and often drop the ball around the green. They lose many strokes near the hole. Of course, it is true that even tour players struggle when the ball lands in the rough. You need to carefully assess the condition of the rough and make a strategic approach shot. If the grass is long and thick, you must approach more cautiously.

When playing from the rough around the green, you should prepare as if you are making a bunker shot. Most golfers tend to swing hard considering the resistance of the grass when the ball is in the rough, but in this case, the ball may travel farther than expected, causing failure to get on the green. First, you must firmly open the clubhead. If you keep the club square as usual, you may have trouble controlling the distance.

By opening the clubhead, you can secure a satisfactory trajectory and distance even with a strong swing from the rough. To emphasize again, opening the club allows you to swing boldly. You can easily escape the rough and get the ball close to the pin. Remember to keep the clubface open as if facing the sky after impact. Pay attention to keep the right palm facing upward.

When you open the club, the ball will tend to go to the right. Since the clubhead is opened, your body should face left. This is similar to the address for a bunker shot. Spin does not work well in the rough, so it is difficult to stop the ball on the green. It is wiser to lift the ball rather than roll it. To increase the ball’s trajectory, adjust the ball position by placing it in line with your left heel and take your stance.

The rough reduces carry and increases run, so it is better to make a larger backswing than usual. The rough is a trouble situation. The ball is buried in the grass and hard to see. Keep your head steady and swing until impact. If you do not focus on the ball, topping may occur.

In the rough, you should grip the club a little shorter. The club may twist and cause a hook. Because the clubhead twists in the tough grass and accurate impact is difficult, grip the club more firmly. You must swing confidently and with speed in the rough.

Sportainer and former 14-time winner on the Korea-Japan Tour

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.