Reach any green from any junk with the bad-lie wonder club: your hybrid
This story is for you if… 1. You’re more apt to play it safe from the rough than go for the green. 2. You think woods are too big to cut through long grass.
THE SITUATION Your drive has landed in some fairly deep rough about 180 yards from the green. Laying up isn’t an option — you’re behind in your match and need to make something happen.
THE SOLUTION Sure, you could hack the ball out of the rough with one of your wedges and play for par, but you likely own a club that makes this shot easier than you think. Notice that your hybrid is built with a short hosel. This feature alone makes it a better choice than an iron from the rough. The typical long hosel of an iron is prone to getting tangled up in long grass, which forces the face open or shuts it down through impact. With your hybrid, however, you can cut through rough like a hot knife through butter. Just follow the steps at right.
Follow these steps to bring any green into range, even when you’re stuck in the junk.
HOW TO POWER A HYBRID FROM THE ROUGH
STEP 1 Play the ball back in your stance, between the center and your right foot. This will help you make a more descending blow and reduce the time your clubhead spends in the grass. Set the leading edge square to your target and aim your feet a few yards to the left of your target. This cut-shot setup promotes a steeper swing and lessens the time your clubhead spends in contact with the grass.
STEP 2 Make a full backswing, hinging the club up a little more than usual. It helps to keep your left arm fairly straight on this one, like a lever that lifts the club up and then back down. When you go to make your downswing, pull hard with your left hand. This will give you the steep descent you need to get the ball up and out of the grass.
STEP 3 Since you’re aimed left of the target, don’t worry about releasing the clubhead like you do on regular full swings. Simply turn through the ball and cut your follow-through like you do when you hit a low pitch or a bump-and-run. Think about swinging the clubhead from its high position at the top of your backswing to a low position in your release. Allow the momentum of your swing to bring you into your regular finish position.
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