Every golfer, even professional players, get into trouble on the course. When playing a par-4 and attempting to reach the green in one or trying to get to the green in two on a par-5, there is always risk attached.
You are trying to achieve maximum distance off the tee with the driver and when it happens, it is fantastic but when it goes wrong, you can be left in a difficult spot off the fairway. If your ball is in the rough on one side of the fairway, the question is, what do you do next?
You have a few options and they each come with a different level of difficulty but the first thing you need to do is check the lie of the ball. If the ball is sitting up nicely, you may have the option to play an attacking shot but if it is buried in the rough, your options become more limited and you will need to just get the ball back on the fairway.
However, just because the ball is sitting up in the rough it does not mean you should automatically be playing an attacking shot.
Take a look around you, are there any branches or obstacles which are going to interfere with your swing or the flight of the ball. If there is something which could do either of these, you are advised to play the shot with caution and do what you can to get the ball back in play and then play an attacking shot when the path to the green is clear.
Asses what you have in-front you on the golf course. If you are going to attempt to get your ball on the green, are there any hazards you need to clear? If there is a bunker or water hazard between you and the green, is playing an attacking short over the hazard the best option?
If you know you can comfortably clear the hazard with your chosen club, you will feel more confident playing the shot. However, if you need to get maximum distance out of the club to clear the hazard, this will be unlikely from the rough and you should consider the safe approach and get the ball back on the fairway first.
If you have a clear run to the green or know you can comfortably clear any hazard which is between you and the putting surface, you can play an attacking shot knowing if you do not get as much distance as expected, the ball will be safe. Before you do, consider your current score or where you are on the leaderboard if playing in a tournament.
If you need to pick up shots and you are running out of holes, you are more likely to attack but if it is early in the round or you have a decent lead, you may opt to keep it simple.
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