prefer rough to fairway

Question
Hi Eddie,

I'm an athletic 29 yr old male and began playing golf on a regular basis about 2 years ago - getting in about 15 rounds per year.  Most of my scores are currently in the 96-104 range.

One of my biggest problems is that I struggle with irons on tight lies.  Beyond that, I actually feel more comfortable hitting out of moderate rough than off of the fairway with my most of my irons.  This has only become a problem recently since my drving accuracy improved.

Any suggestions or tips?

Thanks,

Al

Answer
Hi Al:
The reason you have trouble is that the trailing edge of your club hits the turf instead of the leading edge.  If the leading edge hit the turf, you would hit it real solid.  Let me explain.  Picture the clubface as it approaches the ball.  If you are trying to "get under" the ball in an effort to lift it up (consciously or not), then your hands would try to flip the clubhead underneathe the ball in a scooping type motion.  IF THERE IS GRASS (as in rough), you could do that, the ball would come out high and it would feel OK.  But, if the fairways are tight or you are hitting off hardpan, you're dead.  Sound familiar?  Now picture hitting it perfectly solid.  What would the shaft and the clubface look like at impact if the face is smooshed up against the ball?  In order for the face to contact the ball, the shaft MUST BE ANGLED FORWARD AT IMPACT.  That means the handle of the club would be in front of (towards the target) the clubhead AT IMPACT.  Notice also that if the shaft is angled forward at impact, the leading edge of the clubface (at the bottom of the face) would strike the ground, not the trailing edge on the bottom.  If you use your hands incorretly in an effort to lift it up, then you simply cannot hit the shot.  However, if you use your arms more and your hands less, concentrate on the angle of the shaft at impact and sense how the clubface would pinch the ball against the turf, then you could hit the shot off cement and catch it perfectly solid.  This also would help your fairway bunker play.  Practice, take it slow, picture what you are trying to do with your golf club, and then start hitting balls.  Try to hit the ball as low as you can, not how high you can.  In no time, you'll be hitting balls much better off tight lies.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member