How to Pitch From Deep Rough
Take practice swings to feel how to knife through the grass

By David Glenz
Top 100 Teacher

This story is for you if...

• You think you have to chop the ball out when pitching from rough.
• Your pitch swing is an arms-only swing.

The Situation
Your ball has landed in thick rough (you can barely see the top of it) 20 yards short of the green. To save par, you have to dig it out and land it close. That's a tall order.

The Solution
Because the ball is deep in the grass, you think you have to chop it out with your arms, but that's a sure recipe for inconsistent contact. The key is to turn your body with your swing. Practice this move from a similar lie until you're confident in your ability to cut through the grass. It's very similar to a bunker shot in that you want to get the club through the grass and underneath the ball.

Credit: Schecter Lee