

How to hit good shots from bad lies (Part 1)
Jun 6, 2025
Drew Powell, a Golf Digest expert, joins Luke Kerr-Dineen to tackle the all-too-common dilemma of bad lies on the course. They discuss how to identify different types of lies and their impact on shot execution. From buried to flyer lies, they share insightful techniques for club selection and realistic shot preparation, particularly for events like the U.S. Open. Listeners will learn the importance of club face adjustments and strategic grip strength to master shots from thick rough and navigate challenging situations effectively.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Importance of Understanding Lies
- Tour players obsess about lies since ball reaction varies greatly by how it sits in rough.
- Studying and identifying lies helps golfers avoid costly mistakes and lower scores.
Check Club-Ball Ground Contact
- To identify a buried lie, place the club behind the ball and check if it touches the ground.
- If the ball touches the ground fully, you likely have a buried lie needing a different shot approach.
Limit Club Choice in Buried Lies
- Do not use more than a 7 iron to get the ball out when dealing with buried lies.
- Accept the challenge and hack it out to avoid making the shot worse.