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what is the definition of rough in golf

by Tara Hand PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Definition of the rough
golf. : an area on a golf course covered with tall grass that makes it difficult to hit the ball.

Full Answer

What is the rough on a golf course called?

Most of your shots during a round will be made from the fairway or rough, which are part of an area of the golf course called the “general area.” This area includes everywhere on the course except bunkers, penalty areas, and the teeing area and putting green of the hole you are playing.

How punitive is the rough on a golf course?

The rough is supposed to be punitive: Sometimes, as with grass that is only slighly higher than the fairway, just a little bit punitive; sometimes very punitive as with tall, thick grass or unmaintained natural areas.

What is “rough” grass?

Rough – Grass that is longer and thinker. It typically borders the fairway on the golf course. (Ex. George was able to keep a perfect stat of hitting all fairways in regulation during his round today, since he did not once hit the ball into the rough.)

What is the primary rough?

The "primary rough" is also that rough on a golf hole that is the highest, thickest, most punitive rough of all of the maintained (watered and mowed) areas of the golf course.

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What does rough mean in golf?

When a ball goes into the deep rough, Penalty is added if stepping on and plucking up greens. A ball went into the rough. "Rough" means that the state (length) of the lawn is long. There is not much problem if the grass height is low or grows sparsely.

What is the difference between the fairway and rough in golf?

Rough. The rough lines the fairways. It has longer grass than the fairway or green, creating an area from which it is more difficult to hit a ball. Some courses keep the grass at different lengths in different areas of the rough to make play more unpredictable and challenging.

How does the rough affect a golf shot?

Heavy rough is very likely to reduce club head speed before impact, and thus reduce the normal contact force applied to the golf ball. Also, a large amount of grass between the club face and the golf ball at impact will significantly reduce the normal contact force and the frictional force applied to the golf ball.

How long should the rough be on a golf course?

between 1.0 to 1.25 inchesFairways can be mowed from 0.38 to 0.45 inches while roughs are maintained between 1.0 to 1.25 inches in summer. Mowing heights are raised slightly in the fall, as soil temperatures decrease and the turf thins from peak season cart traffic.

What is the grass around the green called?

Apron The grass surface on the perimeter of the green that separates it from the surrounding fairway or rough. Also known as the fringe.

What is the tall grass on a golf course called?

Golf course fescue is usually grown in the second cut of rough or beyond (such as in unmowed native areas). When golfers think of fescue, they picture a sturdy grass that turns golden and can grow three feet high. It may also be used as an ornamental grass to frame a feature like a bunker.

How do you hit off rough?

0:373:54The Golf Fix: Tips on Hitting Out of the Rough | Golf Channel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEarlier it's going to hit the heel the grass could hit the heel. And it's going to slow the heelMoreEarlier it's going to hit the heel the grass could hit the heel. And it's going to slow the heel first and it will tend to make the the club. Turn over and you'll hit some pulls.

How do you hit rough?

1:342:41How to hit irons from the rough - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNext to the ball. You want to make sure that you don't press too firmly and the ball moves in theMoreNext to the ball. You want to make sure that you don't press too firmly and the ball moves in the grass. But you want to take a steeper swing with a slightly.

Can you tee up in the rough?

Can You Use A Tee On A Fairway? The rules of golf state that you must play a ball as it lies. If you walk up to your ball in your fairway and tee it up, this would be breaking the rules of golf. You cannot tee your golf ball in the fairway once it is in play.

What height is golf rough?

Heights of cut These heights being approximately 4.5 mm to 5 mm for putting greens and 20mm to 25mm for fairways, approaches and tees. These are basic guidelines and will vary depending on grass type, climate etc and would probably be applicable in situations where the facility is closed for play.

What height are tee boxes mowed at?

five-sixteenths of an inchFor the average fan watching on TV, it's frankly hard to distinguish different grass lengths from tee to green. Augusta National fairways are cut at three-eighths of an inch (0.375"), while the tee boxes are cut at five-sixteenths of an inch (one-sixteenth of an inch shorter).

How tall is the grass in the rough?

How high to grow the primary rough is a decision entirely up to the superintendant and maintenance staff at any given golf course. But the USGA's guidelines are for primary rough to be around two inches to 2.75 inches in height.

What does "rough" mean in golf?

"Rough" refers to areas on a golf course outside of the fairways that generally feature higher, thicker grass or naturally growing (unkept and unmowed) vegetation. Rough on a golf course serves a couple purposes:

What are some words for rough golf?

There are a slew of slang terms that golfers use for rough: high grass, tall grass, spinach, weeds, hay, thick stuff, tall stuff, cabbage, broccoli, jungle and many others. Including some that we can't print here. (Golfers hate high rough!)

What is the term for the rough cut in golf?

Some golf courses cut their rough at varying heights, cutting it lower right next to the fairway, but cutting it higher the farther one gets away from the fairway. This is called "graduated rough," and the point is obvious: to make the rough more punitive the more the golfer misses the fairway.

What is the first cut of rough?

The " first cut of rough " is a term applied to rough just off the fairway that is higher than the fairway but lower than the "second cut of rough.". You guessed it: The "second cut of rough" is the really thick stuff. Most upscale courses use a "first cut" and "second cut;" many other golf courses simply have one variety ...

What is punitive rough?

And punitive rough is a badge of honor at some golf courses and at some tournaments. The U.S. Open is infamous for growing out the rough on its host courses, sometimes to three inches or more within a few feet off the fairway.

How tall is a golf course?

Most golf courses intended for public play by golfers of various skill levels try not to let their rough get out of control — a half-inch or​ one-inch tall grass, at most. Any rough taller than an inch (especially if a thick-growing or coarse turfgrass is used) starts to become quite punitive.

Where is rough found on golf course?

Rough can vary in height and thickness depending on its location on the course, and often is found around bunkers and greens (called "collars" or "aprons" in those location s) in addition to outside of fairways.

Topic Overview

Most of your shots during a round will be made from the fairway or rough, which are part of an area of the golf course called the “general area.” This area includes everywhere on the course except bunkers, penalty areas, and the teeing area and putting green of the hole you are playing.

FAQs

I have interference from an out of bounds fence, stake or wall – what are my options?

What is rough around greens?

Light Rough Around Greens. The green surrounds include areas such as the collar and apron that fall into a range somewhere between rough and fairway — they are cut higher than fairway, but don't really qualify as full-on rough. The slang terms for those areas reflect that: Brillo. Frog hair.

What is a gorse in golf?

Gorse, in particular, is a specific type of shrub that grows on many British links courses. And no Scottish golfer, for example, would ever use "gorse" and "rough" interchangeably. But American golfers, for weeks after watching the British Open, like to shout out, "I'm in the gorse!". when missing a fairway.

What is a golfer who finds the broccoli repeatedly called?

Broccoli — a golfer who finds the broccoli repeatedly is a "broccoli beater.". Lettuce. Others we've heard include: Radicchio. Turnip greens — a golfer who keeps hitting into the rough is "falling off the turnip truck.". Bok choy.

What does "back country" mean in golf?

Back country — rough far off the fairway. A golfer who hits it into the back country is going backpacking. Mahoofka — we have no idea where this word comes from or how it came to mean rough. We just know that if you hit your ball into the mahoofka, you better take a weedeater and a machete.

What is a golfer who keeps hitting into the cabbage called?

The most common are: Cabbage — and a golfer who keeps hitting into the cabbage is a "cabbage pounder.". Spinach — a golfer who keeps hitting into the spinach is called Popeye. Alfalfa.

Is the rough punitive or punitive?

The rough is supposed to be punitive: Sometimes, as with grass that is only slighly higher than the fairway, just a little bit punitive; sometimes very punitive as with tall, thick grass or unmaintained natural areas. Here are dozens of slang terms that golfers have for the rough, plus a few extra slang terms along the way for golfers who hit it ...

How high should a golf course rough be?

But the USGA's guidelines are for primary rough to be around two inches to 2.75 inches in height.

What is the primary rough?

As its name ("primary") implies, it is the main rough, the most common rough, on the course. The rough most likely to be encountered by golfers, should their golf balls stray into any rough. The "primary rough" is also that rough on a golf hole that is the highest, thickest, most punitive rough of all of the maintained (watered and mowed) ...

What is the first cut of rough?

Picture the fairway. The grass right next to the fairway - abutting the fairway - is often what's called the "first cut of rough" or the "intermediate cut.". Grass that is a little bit higher than the fairway grass, but not very punitive.

Do all golf courses have one rough?

It should be noted that not all golf courses distinguish between different cuts of rough; many courses have only one type of rough, or even no rough. Also note, again, that using the term "primary rough" implies that said rough is maintained; that is, that it is watered and mowed in order to grow it to the course's desired height and thickness.

Do all golf courses have an intermediate cut?

But, important disclaimer: Not all golf courses use an intermediate cut; some go directly from fairway grass to primary rough. In fact, more golf courses are switching to that arrangement. (And many, many golf courses use a primary cut height lower than the USGA's recommended 2-inches, especially for daily, as opposed to tournament, play.)

Is there rough on a golf course?

If there is rough anywhere on the golf course that is even higher and more punitive than the primary rough, it is almost certain to be wild, natural, unkempt (as in not watered or mowed) grasses and other vegetation on the edges of play, or used as a hazard to be played over.

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