Help with bad lies ..

Question
QUESTION: Well, the season is nearly over but I'm going to keep on
practicing as much as I can! I've been playing rounds lately
and I've noticed that bad lies - anything other than the
fairway) have been giving me trouble. My handicap is about
8-10 at the moment, and I've finally come to notice that the
majority of bad shots that I have come from the rough or on
some sort of elevation. I know the basics of how to get
through this type of situation, but it just isn't cutting it
now. I've been chunking the ball out of these situations.

Could you provide any tips to further enhance my ability to
play out of these types of situations? Thanks!

ANSWER: Hey Jeff:

Be happy to, but you need to be more specific as to what kind of lies you have.  I need more info other than rough and some sort of elevation.  Give me specifics.  Then I can help you.  

Eddie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I guess any sort of thick rough -- when I try to hit out of it
most of the time it comes out chunky and I end up having a
pull on it. What type of swing path or idea should be in my
head?

Answer
Hi Jeff:

OK, in rough, you need to try to keep the amount of grass that bets between the face of the club and the ball to a minimum if possible.  So, here are the basics.  Some of this you may know, some you may not.  First, make sure you take enough loft to get ball out of rough safely.  Second, when taking your grip, make sure you hang on tighter with the left hand (assuming you are a right handed golfer), especially the last three fingers of the left hand.  Rough tends to grab that hosel and twist the clubface closed, causing shots to come out to the left, plus other issues that could occur.  Hang onto that club!  Third, you need a steeper angle of attack into the rough than a normal shot, however, if you are chunking shots, you might be TOO steep, so check that.  And then finally, you must power through the impact area into the follow through.  You have to toughen up when in rough.  Be strong and firm through the hitting zone Jeff, stay committed to what you are doing and then hit it.  

So take enough loft, hold on tighter and power it up a little more.  You'll see better results.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member