When it comes to spectacular displays of skill on the golf course, Jon Rahm’s skip shot across the pond at Augusta National’s 16th hole in 2020 stands tall. The mesmerizing shot, which bounced four times off the water surface before rolling onto the green and sinking for a hole-in-one, left the golfing community in awe. The cherry on top? This magical moment occurred on Rahm’s 26th birthday.
While you may think that such a shot is a product of luck, there’s a whole science behind it. Rickie Fowler, a fellow professional golfer who witnessed Rahm’s historic moment, spills the beans on the technique. According to Fowler, the secret lies in the weight distribution and stance.
“I position myself in the middle to a little back of middle with a slightly open stance, which aids in getting through the ball,” Fowler reveals. This is combined with a forward weight shift, which helps to maintain a level ground contact. The result? The clubhead moves almost parallel to the water surface, creating an ideal shallow angle of attack.
Amateur golfers often make the blunder of hitting the ball too steeply, causing it to plunge straight into the water. Fowler, however, meticulously selects a landing spot about 10-12 yards out. This strategic positioning ensures the ball has enough momentum for multiple skips without being too shallow.
The 16th hole at Augusta has become a crowd favorite for spectacular skip shots during Masters week. The tradition, which began with either Lee Trevino in the mid-80s or Gary Cowan in 1972, has seen some incredible moments. Vijay Singh was the first to ace a hole-in-one with this trick shot during a Masters practice in 2009, followed by Martin Kaymer in 2012. Rahm became the third member of this elite group in 2020.
The tradition has also seen some amusing attempts. Notably, Phil Mickelson once aimed for a turtle near the green, while Camilo Villegas and Cameron Tringale almost managed to hit simultaneous skips.
But what exactly makes this incredible shot possible? It’s all about physics. Similar to skipping stones at a lake, a golf ball, when hit at the right speed and angle (around 13-16 degrees), creates a tiny air pocket that allows it to bounce rather than sink. However, finding the perfect speed is a delicate balance – too slow, and the ball will sink; too fast, and it may leap uncontrollably.
This unconventional shot, while started as a playful trick, has grown into a beloved golf tradition. It serves as a reminder that even in high-stakes tournaments, golf is meant to be fun. So, have you ever tried skipping a golf ball across water? We’d love to hear your experiences and stories in the comments section!
