Tight Lie

A challenging ball position where the golf ball sits on very short grass, hard-packed earth, or closely mown turf with minimal cushioning beneath the ball. Tight lies require precise contact and clean ball-striking technique, as there's little margin for error in club-to-ball contact. These lies are common on links courses, firm fairways, and around greens where grass is cut extremely short. Playing from tight lies successfully demands proper setup, ball position adjustments, and confidence in making clean contact without taking excessive divots. Many golfers struggle with tight lies due to fear of hitting the ground first.