Is this legal?

Question
Hi Eddie
My question:
When your ball is in long grass but you are fairly close to the tee,do you actually have to 'hit' the ball,or can you 'scoop' it with the club face and put it on the green?
Is that just dirty pool? I have better luck getting on the green that way then hitting it.
Thanks!

Answer
Hello Bud:

I think I understand your question, and the answer is that would be cheating.  You must make an attempted stroke at the ball.  Rule 14-1 says "The ball must be fairly struck at with the head of the club and must not be pushed, scraped or spooned."  Penalty for that is 2 strokes.  I guess you'll have to learn how to hit the short shot out of tall grass.  Use your sand wedge and limit your follow through keeping the clubface pointed up to the sky.  With some practice, you'll get better.

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member