Irons · Lesson
Read Which Way the Rough Is Growing
Part of our irons programs for uneven lies. Build a program with it
Not all rough is the same. How deep the ball sits matters less than which way the grass lies and how wet it is. Grass growing toward you grabs the club. Swing harder and use more loft. Don't get greedy. Grass growing toward the target often looks lighter and shinier. The ball comes out fast and runs. Swing easier and plan for roll. This works for chips and long shots alike.
Step by step
- Check which way the grass lies.
- Darker grass toward you grabs: add loft.
- Swing harder through grass growing against you.
- Lighter grass toward the target flies: swing easier.
- Plan for extra roll.
Why it works
Grass that grows toward you wraps around the hosel and slows the clubhead before and at impact. This takes away speed and spin and closes the face. Grass that grows toward the target gives little resistance, so the ball leaves with less friction and more speed. Reading the lie lets you match your loft and swing force to what the grass will do.
Common mistakes
- You judge the lie only by how deep the ball sits.Look at the grass direction and how wet it is first, then consider depth.
- You swing at the same speed out of grass growing against you and the club gets stuck.Pick a more lofted club and swing harder through the ball, but aim for a safe landing area.
- You forget the extra roll from grass growing toward the target and the ball runs past the pin.Swing easier, land the ball shorter, and plan for it to release.
How you'll know it's working
- The club exits the grass without twisting, and the face stays square at impact.
- The ball lands near the spot you planned and rolls out the way you expected.
- Shots from grass growing against you come out on your start line instead of left.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice from a lie where the grass is short and the direction is easy to see, and drop a few balls on both sides of the same patch.
Harder: Play shots from wet or mixed-direction grass and pick the club and landing spot before you swing.
Common questions
How can you tell which way the grass is growing?
Look at the color. Darker grass usually grows toward you, and lighter, shinier grass usually grows toward the target. You can also brush your hand over the grass to feel which way it lies.
What club should you use out of rough with grass growing against you?
Use more loft than the distance alone suggests, and swing harder through the ball. Pick a club that gets the ball back to short grass, and do not try for a long carry.
