Rough in golf

What is the rough in golf?

The rough refers to the grass left longer on either side of the fairway, the short, mowed fairway that leads to the green. It also surrounds part of the greens and bunkers. Its purpose is simple: to reward accurate shots and make the next shot more challenging when the ball strays off the fairway.

The word comes from English rough, “rough,” “unmanicured”: this is the part of the course that isn’t maintained as carefully as the fairway.

First rough, deep rough: What are the differences?

On many courses, the rough is mowed to different heights:

• The first rough (or semi-rough): a narrow strip of grass, slightly higher than the fairway, that runs right alongside it. The ball generally remains playable from there without much difficulty.
• The rough Strictly speaking: it’s higher and denser, and it clearly slows the club down.
• The deep rough: tall grass, sometimes left almost untouched, along the edges of the course. Sometimes the ball gets lost in it.

The height and density vary greatly from course to course and depending on the season: a spring rough—wet and thick—is nothing like a dry late-summer rough.

What do the Rules of Golf say about the rough?

The Rules do not distinguish between “fairway” and “rough”: both are part of the general area, that is, the entire course excluding the teeing area of the hole being played, bunkers, penalty areas, and the green of the hole being played. Practical implications:

• Let's play ball as it lies, without a penalty, even if it is poorly placed.
• You are not allowed to improve your position by flattening the grass behind the ball or pulling out stray blades of grass.
• A ball buried under the weight of its own impact in the general area, including the rough, entitles the player to relief without penalty (Rule 16.3).
• We have three minutes search; beyond that, the ball is lost and must be replayed under the "stroke and distance" rule, with a one-stroke penalty.
• If the ball is unplayable, it may be declared as such, with a penalty stroke (Rule 19).

How does the rough affect the ball?

Grass gets between the clubface and the ball at the moment of impact. The contact is less clean, which has several effects:

• Less retro feel: The ball stops more slowly on the green and rolls farther.
• Less control over distance: In thick grass, the club is slowed down and the ball often falls short.
• The flap can be closed: The grass wraps around the club's shaft and causes the ball to curve to the left for a right-handed player.

There is also the opposite case, which the Anglo-Saxons call the flyer: In light rough, a ball “sitting” on the grass will have very little backspin and may fly and roll farther than expected. This effect does not occur every time and depends on the club and the lie.

How do you get out of the rough?

Read the link first

Before choosing your shot, check how the ball is lying: on the grass, halfway into the ground, or buried deep. The deeper it is, the more you'll need an open clubface and a modest target.

Choose an open club

In thick rough, a short iron or a wedge cuts through the grass better than a long iron. Hybrids, with their wide soles, often perform better than long irons in medium rough.

Adapting the Movement

• Position the ball slightly further back in your stance, with your hands in front.
• A slightly firmer grip to resist twisting caused by the grass.
• A more downward swing to make contact with as little grass as possible before the ball.
• Support them all the way: a half-hearted effort comes to nothing.

Accept the emergency exit

From deep rough, the best shot is often to get the ball back onto the fairway by the shortest route rather than aiming for the green. One missed shot is better than two.