Personally, I use a hybrid. Titleist 17*. I find it much easier to get it out of rough. All depends on how deep the rough is. Always hit down and thru like you would hit an iron. We all are different and when I have problems, I go see my PGA pro at the course where I play and he is very helpful.

I big part of golf is learning to read lies to determine what shot is required. The odds of pulling off a low lofted 3 wood from thick rough is not good and the results of not pulling it off is usually having the same shot again so unless it is a do-or-die situation to win a tournament or you have 3 other partners in a scramble, grab something more lofted based on a landing spot that will give you the best chance for recovery. If you do attempt the 3 wood shot, try to hit down with less sweeping than normal. Good luck!

I agree with Chuck, the only reason I carry a hybrid instead of a 3 or 2 iron is because it works better than anything else out of the rough from long distance. Also agree on hitting down on it, you can't sweep a fairway wood out of the rough with any amount of consistency of strike.

Generally speaking, it's hard to hit a 3 wood out of the rough because there's not enough loft to "lift" the ball out of trouble; instead you end up hitting through the grass instead over it, and as we all know, that never ends well.

A hybrid with more loft is a much better choice, in my opinion.It will cut through the heavy grass easier than a 3 wood, and will travel further than you think.

Dale said it well regarding the lie. Do I hit a 3 wood out of the rough? Yes, if it's sitting up. Bermuda is always a tough one, so if it's sitting up like it's on a tee, I'll go for it. If it's sitting down in the least, I won't even think about it.

I do similar with a hybrid, although I'll give it slightly more leeway on the lie.

Simple solution...keep it in the fairway

Not everyone has switched to TSR drivers yet.