COLUMN: Go Fore It -- Quick Tip

The rough at Merion Golf Club, site of last week's US Open, is brutal and you probably won't encounter anything quite like it at any of our local courses.

However, if you find yourself in some heavy grass, there are a few things that will help get you out of the trouble.

* Play the ball more towards the middle or back of your stance.

* If you aren't going for the green, just trying to lay out, use a club with more loft like your sand wedge.

* Swing hard ... Put speed and power into this shot and make sure you swing all the way through the ball. You cannot slow down on this swing or you will not like your result.

* Always aim a little bit to the right as the thick grass will close your club down making your shot go a little to the left.

* Lastly, make sure you stay down on the ball. You do not want to stand up on this shot especially if the ball is buried.