Throughout the next five months or so most keen golfers will be playing in all sorts of adverse weather conditions.

This makes playing conditions a lot tougher as the grass will have worn away leaving exposed mud patches from where people have walked on it.

We have all been in the situation where our shot has missed the green and our ball is lying on top of mud or a bare area of grass.

For any standard golfer this creates a problem.

To work out how to play the shot, first think about what you would have done in the past in this instance and whether it worked.

Attempting a chip shot from a muddy lie will all too often result in a heavy connection with the ball, leaving the ball just a few yards in front of you.

When the ball is lying in the semi rough around the green, the ideal shot is to slightly elevate the ball over the longer grass and fringe and then see it run out towards the hole.

With a muddy or bare lie it is very risky to take a lofted club to attempt this shot.

Using that style of shot requires a precise strike with the ball because if the club makes the slightest contact with the soft ground before the ball it will only travel half the distance due to the club being restricted when travelling through the ball.

So, for those people who struggle with these delicate shots I have a very low risk way to play these shots.

Select a hybrid or rescue club. Set up as you would to a full shot but firstly narrow the stance with your feet. Next shorten your grip towards the shaft to help you gain more control.

Weight distribution should be equal on each foot, allowing the full use of elevation on the club to elevate the ball out of the rough.

Your arms and chest should stay connected when turning the club back and through like a pendulum motion with the wrists completely non existent throughout the shot.

To determine how far the ball travels simply practise different swing lengths before you go out and play so you know your limits.

My advice would be to imagine a clock face and take the club back to 4 O’Clock and follow through to 8 O’Clock.

Use this technique throughout the winter and I guarantee it will save you shots off your round.