Bubba Watson tells amateur golfers how to hit big hooks like his iconic shot at Augusta National

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Bubba Watson hit one of the most iconic shots in Masters history on the 10th hole at Augusta National in 2012.

Watson found himself deep into the pine straw with trees blocking his approach to the green, leaving him with two options.

The 46-year-old could either take his medicine and play it sideways or try an audacious hook around the corner.

Of course, with the Green Jacket on the line, he went with the latter, and it turned out to be an exceptional shot onto the green, which set him up for a par 4.

Watson finished the final round at 10-under, level with Louis Oosthuizen, and eventually won the Masters via a playoff hole.

• READ MORE: Bubba Watson says what was ‘crazy’ about Augusta National at the Masters in 2024 as he gives his view on the golf course

Bubba Watson explains how to play hooks like his famous Masters shot

Watson was already known as one of the best shot shapers on the PGA Tour and he proved exactly why with his famous hook at Augusta National.

Now, he has shared his instructions to amateurs on how to play that type of shot, with four not-so-simple steps.

It’s certainly a handy option to have in your locker, especially for amateurs who often end up in trouble, but it’s not the easiest to learn.

Watson explained: “I would definitely close the stance a little bit, so front foot up and [back foot] back. Next thing you do is you’re definitely coming inside, you want to whip it inside.

“Then, when you come through, you’re hooding that club. You’re going to do that with your hands. So you’re going to come from the inside and then go outside while rotating your hands.

“Also, while you’re doing all of this, you’ve got to think ‘hook it.’ You’ve got to know what you want to do. You have to almost tell your body.”

Bubba Watson hit an even better hook shot at the 2012 Masters

Watson is so good at hitting hook shots that he played another to great effect at the same Masters Tournament in 2012.

He even believes that the other, which took place in the second round, was better than the one everyone remembers. “It wasn’t even the hardest or best shot I hit that week,” he told Bunkered.

“There was another one on Friday, at 12, where I was in the pine straw, and I was only one-under at the time, and my only option was to aim at the water on 11 and hook my 9-iron even further than the one in the playoff.

“I saved par there but I could have just as easily put it in the water and missed the cut. But most people didn’t see it – because no one cares what I’m doing on Friday, right?”