Focus on control and getting back into position
When you’re trying to escape long rough, the key is to limit how much grass gets between your club and the ball, as it can reduce backspin and make your shot harder to control. Worse still, long grass can wrap around your club and pull the face shut, affecting the shot’s direction.

To avoid these pitfalls, start by moving the ball back in your stance to limit the amount of contact between club and grass. It’s also important to have realistic expectations. Hitting the green is a bonus, but your first goal should be to get back to the fairway, so don’t be afraid to give yourself more loft. Finally, if more than half the ball is sat down in the rough, you’ll need to swing steeper.