How to hit ’em high and soft.


‘“To slide the club under, the face needs to point up.”’

A lot of golfers can get the ball out of the sand, but it runs too hard and ends up off the green. These shots need loft. With more loft on the clubface when it slides under the ball, you get more height and more spin to keep the ball  on the green. First, open the face, then take your grip. Next, play the ball off your front instep, and angle the shafta touch away from the target. Finally, swing with the idea of hitting two to three inches behind the ball and spanking the sand with the back of the clubhead. The face will look skyward in the finish [above], and the ball will fly high and stop fast. – with Peter Morrice 

Butch Harmon is based at Rio Secco Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada

Photograph by J.D. Cuban