Rough Versus Uneven Lie in the Fairway

[Deucie Bies]

I don't know if this topic has ever been discussed here before, but is it sometimes better to hit a shot from the rough rather than an uneven lie from the middle of a sloping fairway?  I would argue that even a marginal lie in the rough is an easier shot even thought it might not be as easy to control. 

[John Burzynski]

Some of my best shots have come from 1-2" rough, or that area of almost fringe-like rough that is cut at many courses between the fairway and the longer rough.  I have never found the normal cut of rough at most courses to be all that much of a challenge...uneven lies, on the other hand are often a problem, especially downhill lies.

[Deucie Bies]

Some of my best shots have come from 1-2" rough, or that area of almost fringe-like rough that is cut at many courses between the fairway and the longer rough.  I have never found the normal cut of rough at most courses to be all that much of a challenge...uneven lies, on the other hand are often a problem, especially downhill lies.

I would argue that in such cases, hitting the fairway could be like hitting into a hazard or behind a tree.  Obviously, you still have a chance to hit a good shot from an uneven lie, but it is much harder.  It is interesting to me that we are taught to try to hit the short grass, but in some cases, a player might not want to so they can have an easier shot.  Is this fair?

[Shane Wright]

You all must be incredibly accurate with your drivers if you are aiming for the 2nd cut of rough!

I'm not that accurate - I'll take the uneven in the fairway.....

[Deucie Bies]

You all must be incredibly accurate with your drivers if you are aiming for the 2nd cut of rough!

I'm not that accurate - I'll take the uneven in the fairway.....

I am not accurate either, but which is better?  Both shots are hard to control, judge.

[John Burzynski]

You all must be incredibly accurate with your drivers if you are aiming for the 2nd cut of rough!

I'm not that accurate - I'll take the uneven in the fairway.....

Oh, I don't necessarily aim for the second cut of rough, or even hit it there that often, just making a point that it for me seems to be the best lie on the course, especially when hitting a hybrid or 5 iron.

I'm definitely not that good to be able to place my ball within a couple of feet wide strip of grass.

[Shane Wright]

With tight pins and often bunkers to clear to get to the pins, I would rather the uneven in the fairway with the ability to control and spin the ball.  2nd cuts and rough are more difficult to judge distance and spin control.

However, playing links style golf with openings to greens is a different story.

VERY rarely have I had a really uneven lie in the fairway.  always a little above or a little below, but never too severe.  I don't might a little bit of either. 

[Rich Goodale]

Depends on the rough.

If it is wispy links rough I'll take that over the uneven lie any day.  If it is ball-settle-down USGA and/or Bermuda rough, I'll take the uneven lie.

BTW--one of the great joys of links golf is the incredible "uneven" lies you can get, even in the "middle" of the fairway.  I find the uiniformity of lies on just about all US courses to be boring, often to the extreme.

[Shane Wright]

Amen Richard

[Kenny Baer]

Double Amen Richard; where I play the uneven fairway lie is much better than the rough,but at some courses I have played the rough had little to zero effect.

[Doug Siebert]

I can deal pretty well with uneven lies, except for ball below my feet.  That's an absolute killer for me -- nevermind the first cut, I'll take 3-4" rough over that!

I have actually become pretty good at shots with the ball above my feet, and have the "how far right to aim to counter it" down pretty good.  I almost wish I could hit into more such situations just to show off!

[Adam Clayman]

Depends on the rough.

Rihc, Ultimately it depends on the level of sportsman. Those who have been brought up expecting the level lie, the level teeing ground, the perfectly manicured divot less canvas, are less likely to appreciate the fact that they need to deal with the adversity of a situation. For me, there's nothing more satisfying than anticipating a balls flight due to how the ground it rests on affects the result.
Playing successfully from long rough can yield some satisfaction but somehow it's just not the same. The difference may lie in the expectations which get immediately lowered when one's ball is in the rough.

A few of my favorites are the uphill lie with the ball below one's feet. I call this shot the push me pull you because the result is exactly that. A pull from the uphill nature and a push from the ball's position below the feet. I think my all time favorite is a lie that screams 'pull' yet yields a push. The awareness needed to trust the counter intuitiveness is the most satisfying.

[Deucie Bies]

But aren't there similarities between trying to judge an uneven lie and a lie in the rough?

[Adam Clayman]

Deucie, The only similarity I can figure would be in calculating how much a ball will pull. The differences are many with the biggest being strength needed to advance the ball from long lush rough.

[Deucie Bies]

What about "jumping" or catching a flyer?  With a lie where the ball is below my feet, I know it should go to the right, but sometimes I overcompensate and actually pull it.  I think both shots present a challenge.  A ball in the rough might come out left, might jump, might come out dead, etc.  An uneven lie does not always do what I think it will either.

[Adam Clayman]

Duecie. I only answered your question about the Similarities. The flyer or jumper only happens from lighter rough not the thick stuff most of these courses have. Rough in general is hardly needed on a well thouhtout design.

[Ted Kramer]

Depends on the rough.

Rihc, Ultimately it depends on the level of sportsman. Those who have been brought up expecting the level lie, the level teeing ground, the perfectly manicured divot less canvas, are less likely to appreciate the fact that they need to deal with the adversity of a situation. For me, there's nothing more satisfying than anticipating a balls flight due to how the ground it rests on affects the result.
Playing successfully from long rough can yield some satisfaction but somehow it's just not the same. The difference may lie in the expectations which get immediately lowered when one's ball is in the rough.

A few of my favorites are the uphill lie with the ball below one's feet. I call this shot the push me pull you because the result is exactly that. A pull from the uphill nature and a push from the ball's position below the feet. I think my all time favorite is a lie that screams 'pull' yet yields a push. The awareness needed to trust the counter intuitiveness is the most satisfying.

Perfectly stated.

-Ted