Amateurs in the heavy rough is a common site on the golf course

"When most high handicappers get into the heavy rough they tend to be too greedy," says Karl Worby, professional at Skidby Lakes Golf Club. "Generally, they select a straighter-faced club and shoot to the green when it would be much safer to play for the fairway.

"When you hit the heavy rough, play safe and take your punishment or your score could suffer more than you think!"

Don't be too adventurous when trying to escape from the rough - play it safe

My advice is always to, first of all, think about what loft of club you need to get the ball out and then be sure to take a club with one loft higher to make certain you escape.

For example, if you think you can get out with an eight-iron, take a nine-iron and make sure you hit the fairway.

Once you have selected my club you should forget about the flag on the green and imagine there is one in the middle of the fairway. I constantly see golfers go into the left-hand rough instead of taking their medicine and getting back on the fairway. I always say to golfers that if you put the ball in the middle of the fairway, more often than not you will be on the green with your next shot.

If you are 80 yards away coming out of the long grass, you will very very little or no control on the green as the long grass will get in between the ball and the grooves on the clubface. It's a bit like driving down the motorway at 100mph, skidding on ice and then trying to put the brakes on.

Be careful when placing your club in the heavy grass

Once you have addressed the ball, being very carfeul not to "improve" your lie or move the ball when placing your clubhead in the grass. It is important to have the ball positioned two-thirds of the way back in your stance; more towards the right foot. This will encourage a steeper angle of attack although be carfeul not to overgrip and swing too fast.

Position the ball towards the back of your stance

I always try to have an early wrist break and encourage a steep swing and try and hit down and through the ball without closing it through impact.

Make your knuckles face the sky on your follow-through

On the follow-through, try to get the feeling that the knuckles of the left hand are going towards the sky.

This will ensure the club will not close on impact and make it easier to get the ball airborne.

Also, it is important to finish well-balanced with your weight ending up on your left-hand side and not on your back foot.

With some practice and a bit of luck, escaping from the heavy rough should soon no longer be a problem for you