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A fluffy lie occurs around the green when there is a large amount of grass underneath the ball.

The grass lifts the ball off the ground causing it to hover in the air. This increases the chance of a ‘whiffed’ shot. The whiff sees the club slide between the ball and ground making a poor connection and only moving the shot a short distance forward.

To avoid the whiff from fluffy lies, golfers firstly need to ensure they correctly judge how far the ball has been lifted off the ground; the greater the amount of grass underneath the ball, the higher the chances of a whiffed shot. The best club to use from a fluffy lie is a lofted sand wedge because it often offers a greater amount of bounce angle. This increased bounce angle and wider sole will help the club slip underneath the ball cleanly and not dive down through the grass. Using a sand wedge, try this following technique when faced with a fluffy lie around the green.

• Hold further down the grip near the steel for more control. This will also help ensure the club head doesn’t dip too far into the grass and cause a whiff.
• The club face should be set square to the target and the shoulders parallel to the target line.
• The feet and hips should be slightly open to pre-set the hip turn.
• The ball should be positioned just back of center in the stance with 60% of body weight on the front foot. The hands should also be opposite the front thigh. By leaning the shaft towards the target slightly it will be easier to create a clean contact and descending blow on the ball.
• Don’t allow the shot to become too wristy, drive the swing with the shoulders – rock them back and through.
• The grip should be kept light to help decrease tension and increase feel. At impact the hands should return to the same point they were at impact, just ahead of the ball opposite the left thigh.
• If players are still nervous about hitting the whiff, move the ball back opposite the right foot. This will steepen the angle of attack and help ensure a ball first contact although the resulting shot will be lower.

Players worried about fluffy lies can use a normal solid chipping technique to get the ball close, nothing fancy is required but concentration is very important!

There is a big difference between a fluffy lie and a good lie. A good lie will see the ball sat up slightly allowing for a flop shot. A fluffy lie, however, involves too much loose grass underneath the ball. Playing a flop shot from a fluffy lie could see a golfer sweeping underneath taking away the grass but leaving the ball in the same spot!

Skimming the surface of the grass on a fluffy lie could lead to mis-hits or a skulled shot. Players shouldn’t be worried about not taking a large amount of grass after the ball. Don’t be too careful or tense on a fluffy lie; strike down and through the ball.

The closer the ball is moved towards the front foot, the greater the chance there is of whiffing the shot. This is because the club will have to travel a long way through the fluffy grass before it reaches the ball. Play it smart and place the ball further back in the stance.