When you're lost in the rough on a slope, start by setting your feet

“When your feet are set, your judgment is set.”

When you stand in the rough on a slope, your mind can suddenly become busy.
At times like that, go back to your “stance” before you think about how to hit the ball.
From there, the shot becomes a little easier.

A story about the moment you stand in the rough on a morning at the course

As you walk down the fairway with morning dew still lingering, your ball suddenly disappears into the rough.

When you get closer, you see a gentle slope.
The grass under your feet slowly pushes against the soles of your shoes.
It’s that unstable feeling you never get on a practice range mat.

Even while the caddie is calmly reading out the yardage, another voice is already echoing in your head.

“How on earth am I supposed to hit this?”

The moment you stand on a slope in the rough, it can feel as if the sense you built up at the practice range has vanished somewhere.

I know that feeling well.

The anxiety of “Can I even hit this?”

When I first started playing on courses, I felt the same way.

At the practice range, I could hit the ball to some extent.
But when you get out on the course, it’s not all flat ground.

Ball above feet.
Ball below feet.
Uphill lie.
Downhill lie.

When you add the rough to that, your footing becomes even more unstable.

“Can I even hit this?”

The moment you think that, your body stiffens a little.
A stiff body takes you even further away from your usual swing.
It’s that feeling where anxiety just breeds more anxiety.

To be honest, even now, there are times when I can't hit the shot I want on a steep slope.

In golf, even as you get better, nature isn't always on your side.
That’s what makes it difficult, but also what makes it interesting.

Honest words from a student

During a round lesson the other day, a male student in his 50s said something like this.

Tanaka-san, when the slope gets steep or the rough gets deep, my mind goes blank. I lose track of where to look and what to think about before I hit.

Hearing those words, I thought they were being very honest.

I'm sure it's something many people feel. But surprisingly few people can put it into words.

And in fact, that feeling of your mind going blank is exactly what teaches you what's important when dealing with a sloped lie.

I told that person this:

First, let's set your footing. Before you think about hitting, think about standing.

On a slope, it becomes difficult if you try to swing as you always do. So first, set your feet. Next, check how far you can swing without losing your balance.

Once these two things are decided, the club you should use will naturally become clear.

For example, if you can't take a big swing, don't try to force distance. You have the option of taking a slightly longer club, gripping down on it, and swinging compactly.

Of course, you won't know the result until you hit the ball.

The depth of the rough, the angle of the slope, and the moisture of the grass are different every day. That is precisely why experience gradually builds up within you.

The meaning of the phrase, 'When your footing is set, your judgment is set.'

The meaning might be different in business than it is in golf, but in golf, half the battle is already over before you even hit the ball.

This might sound a bit exaggerated. But when you stand in the rough on a slope, you really feel that way.

If you try to make a good swing while your feet are unsteady, your body will be doing all it can just to maintain balance. Your judgment and concentration will also be dragged down by that instability.

Conversely, once your footing is set, your mind will also calm down a little.

I can stand here.

The moment you feel that, you can see what to think about next. Club selection. Swing arc. Aiming direction.

Those things are fine to think about after your footing is settled.

One thing I want you to try starting today

When you find yourself standing in a sloped rough, try saying this to yourself.

"First, the footing. Next, the practice swing."

Once you have decided on your footing, take one practice swing.
The goal is not to swing with perfect form.
It is to confirm whether you can swing without losing your balance in that spot.

If you feel like you can hit it, go ahead and swing.
If something feels off, adjust your footing slightly.

That is all you need to do.

I think it is fine to fail at first.
The more mistakes you make, the more you build your own personal data on how certain slopes tend to affect your shots.

And the next time you find yourself in a similar spot, your decision-making will be a little faster.
Your anxiety will be a little smaller.

I believe that, too, is an important realization in golf.

The first shot you take builds the hundred shots of the future.

Even if you feel a little flustered standing in a sloped rough on a morning at the course, that is okay.

Feeling flustered is proof that you are taking that one shot seriously.
Check your footing, take one practice swing, and then hit.
Even if it is not perfect, something will remain for the next time.

The morning light filtering through the trees casts long shadows on the grass.
In that light, I grip my club again today.

Every time you settle your feet, your judgment settles a little bit, too.
I think that quiet accumulation is what makes golf a little more fun again.

If you have any tips you've discovered for sloped lies,
or conversely, if there are situations you find difficult,
please let me know in the comments.