Positive rough play

Taking the safe option of playing a short iron back on to the fairway from rough, rather than going for the green, is usually wise. But with their sound technique most advanced players can usually play in a positive way even from thick rough. It sometimes pays to be brave so long as you're not over ambitious.

You must balance a positive attitude with careful thought. Learn when you can go for the green, and when you must play safe. If you desperately need birdies or have to reach the green for a chance to save the hole in matchplay, it's a good idea to be positive and take on the adventurous shot.

If trouble looms near the green or you have to clear bunkers or water, think again. The penalties for a bad shot are severe and out- weigh the advantage gained if the shot comes off. But by using the correct technique it is still possible to play a positive stroke even if there is some trouble near the green.

From light rough

The only changes you make to conventional technique are to attack the ball from a steeper angle and to play it from slightly further back in your stance. Your aim and alignment should stay the same as normal.

Be aware that the ball runs further from rough than from the fairway because of lack of back-spin. Choose less club than normal to gain the same distance - perhaps an 8 iron instead of a 7.

The action of hitting down on the ball gains height on the shot. This means you can still go for the flag even if there's a bunker in the way - providing the distance between the trap and the hole is large enough.

From long range it's often a good idea to hit a smooth, sweeping, running 4 or 5 wood rather than a long iron. But because the ball runs a long way, it's better not to aim for the flag if there's a bunker in your path. Often you can take a line to miss the trouble and still make it to the edge of a green.

From heavy rough

When playing aggressively the clubface tends to close at impact. If you play the shot with a square blade you can easily hook the ball. To compensate for the club turning,
lay the blade slightly open at address - this is one of the rare times the clubface isn't square to the ball-to-target line.

How much you open the club face depends on how tough and thick the grass is. Also take into account the amount of trouble there is around. Don't open the blade too much when the right hand side is packed with trouble -if the club doesn't turn the ball flies off right. When there's a lot on the left, make sure you open your blade enough to avoid going into it even if you do hit a slight hook.

Your downswing path is again steep which allows as little grass as possible between the clubface and the ball. But even if you hit the shot well, you can't apply any backspin on the ball from thick rough. Allow for a lot of run on the shot.

When playing from either light or heavy rough, strike firmly at the ball and never quit on the shot.