Your golf ball has come to rest on the fringe of the green, nestled against a collar of rough.
Facing one of golf’s trickiest, most delicate shots, what should you do?
Consider these options:
- Grip down on the putter and play the ball back in your stance: The first goal is to prevent the putter from snagging on the longer grass going back, so your normal stroke won’t work. This method will shorten the putter and put your hands well ahead of the head, creating a steeper stroke. The ball may come off with topspin and roll farther than expected, so adjust accordingly
- Turn your putter on its toe and hit the ball with the end of the club: This trick is a bit riskier, so practice before using it on the course. Addressing the ball off the toe sticks the club’s heel off the ground at an angle that keeps it above the rough. Making direct contact with the club’s tip is essential; otherwise, the ball can scoot wildly off line.
- Try the “bellied sand wedge”: The technique favored by most pros also requires practice, but it’s effective. Using your putting grip and stance, choke down on the sand wedge so that its leading edge is level with the ball’s equator. Make your putting stroke, striking the ball halfway up.
- Use a Hybrid chipper: These chippers help improve your short game by taking the fear out of chipping around the green.
Traditional, Mid-Length/Belly & Long Putters
