MENU

SEARCH

Login
Instant sign in with your password, or social media account.
Join Women's Golf
SAVE/BOOKMARK
Please login to bookmark Close

How to Play the Ball Out of Mulch

What if your ball goes in the rough and comes to rest on mulch? Nancy Quarcelino takes you through the step-by-step for playing this shot.

When the ball is sitting on loose mulch you must be careful to not disturb the mulch and accidentally cause your ball to move. If the ball does move prior to the shot, refer to the Rules of Golf for the proper ruling.

When you are in the rough your club decision will be based upon the obstacles in front of you.  Most of the time you will want to hit a low shot out of the mulch to keep the ball under any trees which may be in your way.

The important thing about this shot is to make certain the club face comes into contact with the ball before hitting the mulch.  If you hit the unstable mulch first this may cause the ball to move ball before you hit it.

Steps for a Shot Out of Loose Mulch

1. Play the ball back in your stance.

2. Shift your weight to your front foot at setup and lean your shaft toward your front thigh. 

3. You will want to hinge your wrists immediately on the takeaway which will position your club at the top of the backswing for a steeper angle back down to the ball.

4. Keep your follow through low.

Women’s Golf Group Buzz

Group Post - Gina 23_02_25

You Might Also Like

We publish a new lesson for women golfers every day! Here are three lessons from the last week by our expert team of 28 leading female instructors. Members can save their favorite tips for future reference.

How to Check that You Have a Neutral Grip
Watch Lesson
Finish Your Swing Left of the Target!
Watch Lesson
Bad Alignment Changes Your Swing
Watch Lesson
How Much Sand Should You Take?
Watch Lesson
Practice these 3 Square Clubface Points To Hit Solid Shots
Karen Palacios-Jansen from CardioGolf.com shows how to keep your clubface square by taking a neutral grip and lining up the face at address. Then rehearse with half swings to start hitting solid shots.
Watch Lesson
Slow Play and Your Type-A Tendencies
Joan King's advice when you are playing behind or with slow players. Change your own attitude to play well and enjoy your golf regardless of the pace of play.
Watch Lesson
Need More Distance? Activate Your Big Muscles
Trillium Rose recommends doing a simple squat before you go out to get your pelvis, glutes and abdominals warmed up and going to support your spine and increase your rotation speeds.
Watch Lesson

Explore Our Courses

Our coaching multi-lesson programs for members are crafted to help women golfers enhance their game led by top female instructors. Each program focuses on improving a different aspect of the game.

Your Pre-Shot Routine
You need a pre-shot routine that you can rely on. In this eight-lesson video course, Legends Tour player, Cindy Miller shares everything in her tournament hardened pre-shot routine.
See this Course
The Better Chipping Course
Would you like to save shots around the green? Everything you need to know about chipping from setup to club selection and even how to play the 'baby chip' is in this 10 lesson video course from PGA Master Professional Kellie Stenzel.
See this Course
Learn the Basics of Golf
10 lessons covering the most important basic skills for newer golfers from LPGA Professional Nathalie Filler.
See this Course

If you are a visitor, you can view this lesson as our guest: Tap ‘X’ after the countdown

But Why Stop There?

1300+ Video Lessons – 28 LPGA Instructors

Easily Save your Favorite Lessons

Connect in the Women’s Golf Group

Save 50% – Only $35/Year! (Limited Time)

30-Day Refund Guarantee (Try risk-free!)