Bubba Watson is known for his exceptional shot-shaping abilities, making him one of the best in the world at working the ball to extravagant measures. In an interview with GOLF.com, Watson agreed that he has established a reputation for curving the golf ball more than any other pro. The author of the article sought to learn from Watson and see if he could replicate some of his skills as well. The goal was to see if a talented Pro like Watson could teach an amateur golfer like the author how to work the ball effectively.
When asked where to start with shot-shaping, Watson explained that the longer the club, the more curve you can create due to the increased speed and spin. Your stance also plays a significant role in shaping the ball, with a closed stance allowing you to play a draw and an open stance facilitating a cut. Watson emphasized the importance of focusing on foot positioning rather than hand movements to achieve the desired shot shape. He first tested the author’s ability to work the ball in any direction before diving deeper into the process.
To begin the lesson, Watson had the author adjust his stance, ball position, and clubhead for a big hook shot. Despite some initial struggles, the author eventually succeeded in hitting a hooking shot. Watson then instructed the author on the importance of swing path in shaping the ball. An exaggerated swing path, just a few inches off from the norm, was key to achieving the desired shot shape. Watson prefers to rely on visual cues rather than technical measurements like spin rate to adjust his swing path on the course.
As the author practiced implementing changes to his swing path, Watson provided guidance on creating a major cut or slice. The key was to start the takeaway in the opposite direction of how you intend to come down and strike the ball. By overemphasizing the path, the author was able to hit high, slicing shots with significant curve. The lesson concluded with the author successfully executing a slice with 64 feet of curve, impressing Watson.
In conclusion, working with a talented Pro like Bubba Watson can help amateur golfers improve their shot-shaping abilities. By focusing on elements like stance, ball placement, clubhead position, and swing path, golfers can learn to work the ball effectively like Watson. While shot-shaping may be easier for professionals like Watson, with practice and guidance, amateurs can also achieve success in shaping their shots on the course.
