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Pinehurst No. 2, host of this week’s US Open, is a classic example of a course that will make you sweat around the greens. If you miss one of the putting surfaces on No. 2, and this happens quite often to even the best players due to the speed and bumps, you will likely find your ball in a tight lie in a collection area (below).

Most elite-level professionals and amateurs, such as Wake Forest University’s BJ Rogillio, pictured at the top of this article, wouldn’t hesitate to grab a wedge and chip a ball onto the green from such a precarious position. (Although Martin Kaymer won the 2014 U.S. Open on Pinehurst No. 2 by putting almost exclusively from the collection areas.) Average golfers, however, should think twice about attempting to hit the ball onto the green—and they should.

If that lie scares you, it’s time to put your ego away in your golf bag and choose an easier shot. If you’re on close-cut grass and there’s no obstruction like a sprinkler head between you and the green, grab your hybrid and use it like a putter. I’ll show you how in a minute.

But first, let’s take a minute to identify the problem with chipping or pitching from a tight lie. Since there is no cushion under the ball to save a shot from less than perfect contact, most amateurs end up hitting behind the ball or driving the shot over the green. Sometimes they even try to “scoop” the ball off the turf at impact with a wave of their hand. You know who you are if you take one look at that lie and start shaking.

OK, we offer you a better option. With a hybrid club, think of the shot more like a long lag putt. Stand a little higher than your normal putting stance and open your stance slightly. These adjustments will help you create more freedom in your shot. Also, grip the handle a little deeper for more control and play the ball about 1 inch behind your breastbone (below). To ensure a solid shot, set the shaft more upright than usual so that the heel of the club is just above the ground at address.

With these setup adjustments, all you have to do is hit a good lag putt. Keep your lower body still as you swing your arms and turn your body a little toward the hole. The club will “gather” the ball and send it through the short grass in front of the green with enough momentum to keep it moving once it’s on the putting surface. Notice how far away the flag is from me in this picture, and I’m not making a very big shot to get the ball in the hole (below).

You may be wondering why you shouldn’t just use your putter. Of course you can, but the hybrid is better in these tight lies for a couple of reasons. The loft of the club usually only gets the ball up for a split second before it starts rolling. This helps get it through the slower edge grass without having to really hit the ball like you might have to with a putter. It also allows you to stand more upright, which tends to free up your shot. Try it next time you’re faced with a scary tight lie, and I bet you’ll find that you get a much better result than if you had tried to chip.