Obstacles & Hardships Irons and wedges Expert / Intermediate ⏱ 9 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Reading the Lie in the Rough: Padraig Harrington

Name: Reading the Lie in the Rough: Padraig Harrington
Uploaded: 2021-11-04T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 9 min 22 s
Channel: Padraig Harrington
Description: Does your ball sometimes shoot out of the rough like a rocket, and other times just sit there? Padraig Harrington explains that it all depends on reading the lie: the direction of the grass, its color, and its moisture level. This is a lesson for experienced golfers that applies to both chip shots and long shots.

Does your ball sometimes shoot out of the rough like a rocket, and other times just sit there? Padraig Harrington explains that it all depends on reading the lie: the direction of the grass, its color, and its moisture level. This is a lesson for experienced golfers that applies to both chip shots and long shots.

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Padraig Harrington · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

4 minSame problemJack Nicklaus's high shot: clearing the obstacleJack Nicklaus · Intermediate 5 minSame problemChip shot from the thick rough—Adam Scott: Read the lieAdam Scott · Intermediate / Expert 7 minFrom the same proPre-shot routine under pressure: HarringtonPadraig Harrington · Beginner / Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

For Padraig Harrington, not all roughs are the same: what matters isn't so much the depth as the direction of the grass and its moisture. From a technical standpoint, he dismisses the idea of hitting 2 inches behind the ball, as you would in a bunker: you’d end up 6 inches behind it. Whether it’s a chip or a long shot, you always try to strike the ball as cleanly as possible, hitting down on it, knowing you’ll catch some grass first. The technique doesn't change much: according to him, reading the lie is far more important than technique.

He describes several scenarios. Straight grass, neutral lie: the ball comes out “dead”; you have to hit it fairly hard. Grass lying in the direction of play (pale appearance): the ball comes out fast, as a “flyer,” and travels farther than it would from the fairway; you need to swing gently. Grass growing against the grain: it stands up, grabs the clubface, and the ball comes out very heavy. Green, damp grass near the fairway and sprinklers: the roots are strong, so you need to hit it hard; under the trees, the grass is thinner and the ball comes out fast. Grass growing toward the player: the ball tends to go right. Grass growing away: risk of a hook, the grass wraps around the hosel and pulls the ball to the left. His rule: “loft is your friend”, an 8-iron will fly farther than a poorly struck 5-iron.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Notice the direction of the grass around the ball.
Look at its color: pale grass sends the ball out fast; dark grass slows the club down.
Take a practice swing to get a feel for the resistance of the grass.
Choose more loft if the lie is heavy or the grass is growing away from you.
Adjust how hard you hit: gently with the grain, firmly against it.
Hit down on the ball, trying to make contact with it first.

Key Takeaways

Aim for the cleanest possible contact, never 2 inches behind the ball.

Reading the lie matters more than technique.

Grass growing toward the target or pale grass: the ball comes out fast, as a flyer.

Grass growing against the grain, green or damp: the ball comes out heavy.

Grass growing away from the player: risk of a hook, so take more loft.

Mistakes to Avoid

Deliberately hitting behind the ball, as you would in a bunker.
Taking a wood or a long iron from a heavy lie.
Playing a with-the-grain lie like a normal shot and flying past the target.
Ignoring the risk of a hook when the grass is growing away from you.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Same strokes on grass lying toward you, against the grain, and neutral
Compare ball flight based on grass color
Chips and long shots, focusing on making contact with the ball first

Your Questions

Should you hit behind the ball in the rough?

No, according to Padraig Harrington: you should aim for the cleanest possible contact. If you aim 2 inches behind the ball, you’ll end up 6 inches behind it.

Why does the ball sometimes come out of the rough and fly a long way?

When the grass lies in the direction of play, it speeds up the club: the ball comes off the club quickly, with a flyer, and travels farther than it would from the fairway.

How can you tell if a lie is slow?

Dark green, damp grass with strong roots—like the kind found near the fairway and the sprinklers—or grass lying flat against the grain. In that case, you have to hit the ball hard.

Which club should you choose when you're in a bad lie?

He recommends more loft: an 8- or 9-iron will fly farther than a poorly struck 5- or 6-iron.

Learn More

All “Obstacles & Struggles” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Jack Nicklaus's high shot: clearing the obstacleTo hit the ball higher, Nicklaus keeps his usual swing, moves the ball forward, opens the clubface slightly, and then shifts his weight to his left foot instead of staying back. Chip shot from the thick rough—Adam Scott: Read the lieAdam Scott reads the lie by placing the club behind the ball, then plays either a standard bunker shot or a modified bunker shot with fixed wrists against the grain. Hitting Over a Tree on the Golf Course: The Club Shaft TrickPlace the clubface flat in front of the ball, with the shaft pointing toward the obstacle: the angle of the shaft indicates whether the ball will go over or under the trees. Padraig HarringtonAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Padraig Harrington). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.