How would you hit this shot?

[Golfnole3]

Hard to describe, sparse rough...

Hey guys, I had a tournament in a shamble format and we played in teams of two. First day we shot a 77, second day (today) we shot a 72 on a par 70 course. We were 3 under on the back with a chance to be 4 under because I missed a 6-7 foot birdie putt on a par 5. Anyway... I had a shot both days where I was around the green but had a lie with sparse rough, and when you hit the shot a bunch of dirt flies up. I'm just talking about a pitch shot from around the the green. The shot is easily "chunkable" or easy to hit fat. The first day I tried to hit a pitch with the ball in the middle of my stance with fairly closed feet with most of my weight on my left foot... CHUNK. The second day I played the ball back in a stance where my feet were an inch apart, another small stance with my weight on my left foot... Another CHUNK. The first time I was going for more of a pitch keeping the club face slightly open while the second time I had a square face trying to hit a low roller. Sorry for the long description, I'm just trying to paint a picture in your head of the situation. I hope that explained the lie feel enough also, so could someone please explain to me how to hit this shot?

[jbrunone]

You could always try to hit the shot like a bunker shot, opening stance hitting behind if and accelerating through it.. Or use an 8 iron and hit the ball likes putt

[theLeftyBeast]

Lean forward DON'T LOOK UP. That's happened to me before and that's how I fixed it

[Late4ttime]

Based on the description- PW or 9i, middle back- weight favoring left side with a short crisp and firm stroke, bump and run style- but you don't mention how much rough to carry to the green, or how much green there is to work with. So that's my best guess. Due to the nature of the lie I wouldn't open my face because it doesn't sound like the lie is very forgiving so I wouldn't want the bounce skipping off the dirt causing me to blade the s*** out of it.

Late-

[ForTourUseOnly]

All depends on how much room I have between me and the pin, if there is a lot of green then it would be a bump and run with a less lofted club, if it's less than it would be a hard explosion shot. You can also deaden the way the ball lands by hitting the ball more towards the toe of the club. Practice it and practice different techniques. You need to find a method that you are comfortable with.

[Golfnole3]

Thanks a lot guys! Sorry for not explaining how much room and rough there is. You already helped me and I'll be sure to work on that shot in my practicing!

[jdhallissey]

If the lie is that bad I would of played the chunk and run with it. You know you have a great chance at it use it to your advantage. Basically that will make you play it like a bunker shot said earlier.

[lukesmurf59]

set ur wrists forward at address, and maintain the flex through impact. Hinge and hold baby!

[mat562]

Open stance with the ball off the back foot, played with an open-faced sand wedge or lob wedge would be my first choice.

A descending blow, leading with the hands, and using the bounce on the wedge to 'dent' into the turf would lessen the chances of getting a fat strike that may result with a shot where the leading edge of the club is cutting into the turf.

[Hattori Hanzo]

I face plenty of shots like those during the summer when it gets really hot and there are some dead patches, which of course my ball ends up on! Well the way I handle them is pretty similar to a bunker shot: open up the face, weight forward, and get steep with it! Works pretty well for me and good luck with it!

[Man In The Miura]

I hate that shot!!! I had it twice today, with the ball settled down on wet mud. The grass is healthy, just a little sparse due to the season and the recent snow and subsiquent melt. To hit a lofted club with check spin requires absolute precision because it is so easily chunkable. Sometimes the low bump and run isn't feasible either due to too much rough to carry or a short sided situation. I've allowed myself to take the 9i and play for the best putt. I hate not trying to get it close, but sometimes leaving a makable putt, albeit 15 feet, is better than the alternative.

[The General]

7 iron or 8 iron and chip/punch using a putter grip - works very easily. Leave the wedges in the bag!

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='Golfnole3' timestamp='1325293336' post='4007385']
Hey guys, I had a tournament in a shamble format and we played in teams of two. First day we shot a 77, second day (today) we shot a 72 on a par 70 course. We were 3 under on the back with a chance to be 4 under because I missed a 6-7 foot birdie putt on a par 5. Anyway... I had a shot both days where I was around the green but had a lie with sparse rough, and when you hit the shot a bunch of dirt flies up. I'm just talking about a pitch shot from around the the green. The shot is easily "chunkable" or easy to hit fat. The first day I tried to hit a pitch with the ball in the middle of my stance with fairly closed feet with most of my weight on my left foot... CHUNK. The second day I played the ball back in a stance where my feet were an inch apart, another small stance with my weight on my left foot... Another CHUNK. The first time I was going for more of a pitch keeping the club face slightly open while the second time I had a square face trying to hit a low roller. Sorry for the long description, I'm just trying to paint a picture in your head of the situation. I hope that explained the lie feel enough also, so could someone please explain to me how to hit this shot?
[/quote]

What's the distance to the pin, green layout and speed? All influence what club I'd use, and how I would execute. Sparse rough suggests picking the ball and the importance of level to the turf shoulders. The bounce on your chosen club combined with not choking down and properly hooding the club, and maintaining uneven shoulders through impact allowed club bounce to create a chunk, vs pick the ball. Keeping the club face slightly open adds bounce as well; so if your shoulders are not set even with the turf... chunk. Square face also allows the bounce / sole of the chosen club, along with uneven shoulders to create a chunk if you're at all tentative. Sounds like your shoulders, hand position and bounce caused the chunk/

[Golfnole3]

Sparse rough, wet dirt. Not too much green to work with but a little.[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1328142936' post='4194117']
[quote name='Golfnole3' timestamp='1325293336' post='4007385']
Hey guys, I had a tournament in a shamble format and we played in teams of two. First day we shot a 77, second day (today) we shot a 72 on a par 70 course. We were 3 under on the back with a chance to be 4 under because I missed a 6-7 foot birdie putt on a par 5. Anyway... I had a shot both days where I was around the green but had a lie with sparse rough, and when you hit the shot a bunch of dirt flies up. I'm just talking about a pitch shot from around the the green. The shot is easily "chunkable" or easy to hit fat. The first day I tried to hit a pitch with the ball in the middle of my stance with fairly closed feet with most of my weight on my left foot... CHUNK. The second day I played the ball back in a stance where my feet were an inch apart, another small stance with my weight on my left foot... Another CHUNK. The first time I was going for more of a pitch keeping the club face slightly open while the second time I had a square face trying to hit a low roller. Sorry for the long description, I'm just trying to paint a picture in your head of the situation. I hope that explained the lie feel enough also, so could someone please explain to me how to hit this shot?
[/quote]

What's the distance to the pin, green layout and speed? All influence what club I'd use, and how I would execute. Sparse rough suggests picking the ball and the importance of level to the turf shoulders. The bounce on your chosen club combined with not choking down and properly hooding the club, and maintaining uneven shoulders through impact allowed club bounce to create a chunk, vs pick the ball. Keeping the club face slightly open adds bounce as well; so if your shoulders are not set even with the turf... chunk. Square face also allows the bounce / sole of the chosen club, along with uneven shoulders to create a chunk if you're at all tentative. Sounds like your shoulders, hand position and bounce caused the chunk/
[/quote]