Playing from the rough

Setup

1. Use a strip of longer grass beside a practice fairway or the range. Mark a green target about 60 to 100 m away and a fairway target closer in.
2. Players on one line, at least 4 m apart, all hitting the same way. Balls are collected only when the coach calls it clear.
3. Drop balls in pairs: one that settles on top of the grass (sitting up) and one pushed down into it (sitting down).

How it runs

1. Before each shot, stand behind the ball and describe the lie: how much of the ball you can see, which way the grass grows, and whether the club will catch grass before the ball.
2. Sitting up: play it like a normal shot, but expect less spin and more roll. Take one club less, or land it short of the green.
3. Sitting down: take a more lofted club, play the ball slightly back of centre, grip a little firmer and make a steeper swing. Aim to get back to the fairway.
4. Hit ten pairs. Score 1 point for each ball that finishes on the green target or in the fairway target, whichever you chose.
5. Afterwards, talk about which balls should have gone for the green and which should have been played out sideways.

Coaching points

• The lie decides the shot; the distance to the flag comes second.
• Grass between the clubface and the ball takes spin off, so the ball comes out lower and runs.
• From thick grass the hosel can snag and close the face: hold the grip a little firmer and keep the arms moving through.
• Play the ball as it lies: you can't press the grass down behind it to improve the lie.

Common mistakes

• Reaching for a long iron or wood from a ball sitting down.
• Trying to help the ball up with a scooping action.
• Ignoring the flyer and running the ball over the back of the green.