Tip no. 22 - Playing from Plugged Lies
with Pachesham Golf Academy

When your ball is lying partly buried in its own pitchmark, it is said to be 'plugged'. Local rules, particulary when courses are very wet, will often allow a free drop from a plugged lie, but otherwise you'll have to play the ball as it lies. OK, you've been unlucky - now, make the best of things by following these simple tips.

To play a 'plugged' ball: • Select a lofted club such as a pitching wedge or 9 iron • Grip the club firmly but in the normal grip position • Play the ball position back in your stance with hands slightly forward, ahead of the ball position • Play a three quarter length swing to 'punch' the ball forward.
The key points to remember are: • Take a lofted club, grip it firmly and play the ball back in your stance • Keep your weight on the left side throughout the swing, hitting down into the ball with a restricted 'punch' follow through.

THE COMPLETE ONE MINUTE TIPS, WITH   No. 1: Common Ball Flights - your golf ball is your teacher! No. 2: The Set Up - grip, stance and posture No. 3: The Straight Shot - getting the basics right No. 4: The Fade - for a gently-curving, soft-landing shot No. 5: The Pull - trees down the left? No worries! No. 6: The Hook - commonest fault in lower handicappers No. 7: The Pull Hook - eliminate this destructive shot No. 8: The Draw - for a penetrating, powerful ball flight No. 9: The Push - water to the right? No problem! No. 10: The Slice - cure this curse of the high handicapper No. 11: The Push Slice - fix it and keep out of the thick stuff No. 12: The Swing - backswing and downswing explained No. 13: Distance - tips for hitting it further No. 14: Pitching - master this basic scoring shot No. 15: Chipping - turn three into two around the green No. 16: The Lob - loft it and stop it close - like 'Lefty'! No. 17: Bunker Shots - no need to fear these any more! No. 18: Putting - tips and drills to end those three-putts No. 19: Awkward Lies - uphill, downhill and sidehill shots No. 20: The Thin or Top - fix this infuriating fault No. 21: The Fat or Duff - cure it and hit the ball clean! No. 22: Plugged Lies - don't give up, get out! No. 23: The Shank - how to cure 'the unmentionable' No. 24: Club Selection - some distance guidelines No. 25: Basic Rules - every golfer should know these No. 26: Course Management - learn to play the percentages For more help, see your PGA pro, or contact: Pachesham Golf Centre, Oaklawn Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0BP For all Lesson Enquiries Email: lessons@pacheshamgolf.co.uk Tel: 01372 843453 - Web: www.pacheshamgolf.co.uk Copyright ©Pachesham Golf Centre 2011, reproduced with permission