Tough Shot out of the rough around the green

[jhonts]

At least once a round I get this shot:
I'm in the rough but my ball is on a spot where there is no grass but is surrounded by the rough. Since it's surrounded by grass if you don't bottom out the club in the right spot it either comes flying out about 5" off the ground or the grass grabs the club and it goes off in some random direction.
I've experimented with some different shots and the best I've come up with is to put it out or intentionly close up a sand wedge and skull it out on purpose. Neither is that reliable.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[mtibt]

One way to do it

I use a nine or eight because they are heavy but a seven will do also, place ball back off right toe, hands ahead of center, steep 1/2 backswing slow and follow through. Shorten up on club about 2-3" and open stance. The ball will shoot out about 75 yds to safe ground which all you are asking for in a spot like that. Take your medicine and move on.

[Golfbald]

Jim,

Look at the thread Hard Packed Wet Bunkers in this forum and try shot #2. It works equally well picking a ball out of the rough and off hardpan around the greens.

Another shot is to choke down to the shaft on a wedge, this will eliminate the twisting, play it off the right toe, slightly open stance, the club will look closed and play a sharp punch, the ball will pop out with some height under control and rolls like a putt. Pretty easy, dependable shot to have in your bag.

GolfBald

[mtibt]

Fairway versus green rough

I re-read your question and realized I gave you a tip for fairway rough when you were asking for greenside rough. Sorry.
I still don't like sand wedge for greenside rough due to the amount of bounce it has versus the pitching wedge which has much less bounce and will dig in more rather than bounce off the hard dirt.