Chipping · Tip
Chip From Deep Rough Like a Bunker Shot
Part of our chipping programs for fat or chunked. Build a program with it
A chip from deep rough near the green plays a lot like a bunker shot. First, make sure it's your ball. Take your sand wedge. Its wide sole helps here. Open the face. Open your stance, ball near the middle. Swing up steeply with some wrist hinge. Then drop the club into the grass behind the ball. Don't worry about a big finish. Grip a little firmer. The grass wants to close the face, and you need it open.
Step by step
- Identify your ball.
- Sand wedge, face open.
- Open stance, ball near the middle.
- Swing up steeply.
- Drop the club behind the ball with a firm grip.
Why it works
Deep rough grabs the hosel and leading edge, so a sharp, narrow club gets caught and the face closes. An open face with a wide sole lets the club slide through the grass instead of digging. A steep swing with wrist hinge drops the club behind the ball, and the grass between the club and ball pushes the ball up and out, much like sand does.
Common mistakes
- You swing shallow and try to sweep the ball off the top of the grass.Hinge your wrists early and swing up steeply so the club drops into the grass behind the ball.
- You close the face at address or let it turn over through impact.Set the face open before you take your grip, and hold it firmly so the grass cannot shut it.
- You decelerate or stop the club as it enters the grass.Commit to the drop behind the ball and let the club move through, even though the finish stays short.
How you'll know it's working
- The club enters the grass behind the ball and moves through without twisting in your hands.
- The ball comes out high and soft, and lands on the green without running far.
- The face still points at or right of the target after impact, not left of it, for a right-hander.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice from a light lie in longer grass first, where the ball sits up and the club meets less resistance.
Harder: Practice from a deeper lie, or pick a pin close to the edge of the green so you must control both distance and height.
Common questions
What club should I use to chip out of deep rough?
A sand wedge is a good choice because its wide sole helps the club slide through the grass. Open the face so the grass does not close it.
Why does my club twist in thick rough?
The grass grabs the hosel and turns the face closed as the club goes through. A firmer grip and an open face at address reduce this.
