It could be the scariest shot in golf. This is the way to pull it off

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — If you happen to’re into golf instruction, you would do worse than be a fly on the wall at GOLF’s High 100 Lecturers Summit, an annual gathering of the sport’s most revered coaches that this week was performed at Cabot Citrus Farms, about an hour’s drive north of Tampa.

I, for one, absorbed all types of knowledge within the two days I used to be onsite, together with however not restricted to: why chipping is harder as we speak than it was a technology in the past (new grasses, tighter lies, and many others.); the significance of hand and grip energy in producing energy (it issues!); and the issue too many amateurs unwittingly have with their putter shafts (too lengthy).

However there’s one tip that almost all caught with me: The best way to play a short-sided bunker shot from a downhill lie. If you happen to’re like me, this shot retains you up evening; if it’s not the scariest shot in golf, it’s proper up there. Regardless of the place I place the ball or what membership I take advantage of or what sort of contact I make, I by no means appear to be to get the mandatory loft to launch the ball excessive and softly or sufficient spin to cease it shortly. The most typical outcome: a soul-crushing blade into the bunker face.

Enter Parker McLachlin, a former Tour winner who, in his post-playing days, has rebranded himself “the Brief Sport Chef.” (Try his stuff right here.) For about 45 minutes Tuesday, McLachlin stood within the depths of a cavernous greenside bunker at Citrus Farms as greater than 100 of his fellow academics and different assorted attendees peered down at him as Romans did on their leisure within the Colosseum. McLachlin dished all types of good nuggets about the way to grasp bunker pictures, together with the significance of correct membership choice, however I leaned in hardest when one other trainer requested McLachlin for his ideas on the way to play bunker pictures off….yep, downhill lies.

Off a downslope, McLachlin defined, the ball naturally needs to return out low and quick, however you’ll be able to counter these forces of nature in your setup. Begin by absolutely opening the face in your highest lofted wedge, then setting your fingers low to create much more efficient loft. You’ll additionally need to barely slide again your path foot to provide your self room to swing the membership round you.

Each a part of your being goes to need to “assist” the ball up, however, McLachlin stated, it’s important that you simply resist this urge. Actually, as an alternative of tilting your proper shoulder beneath your left as you’d in a driver setup — a mistake I’ve been responsible of constructing — you’ll need to do the inverse in order that your shoulder aircraft is parallel with the downslope.

“That’s counterintuitive, as a result of we need to hit it excessive, and each time we need to hit it excessive, we need to seem like this,” McLachlin stated as he lowered his path shoulder. “However once more, I’m going to get all my loft at setup, clubface, deal with place.”

The Chef’s closing ingredient for executing one in all golf’s hardest pictures: belief. As in, trusting that your method and instruments will do their jobs. Totally commit, then go.

McLachlin then put his phrases into motion.

From what was a horrid line on a downslope behind the bunker, the coach settled in and, as he had been doing all through his session, dazzled his viewers by making a tough shot look simple.   

I can’t wait to attempt the method for myself.