Fulton Blog: Add Haas' water shot to your game

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Every year about this time we take a look at all the TOUR Academy instruction programs and make all necessary changes that we may have learned from the previous year. It has been the year of the belly putter, as once again this week at the TOUR Championship, we have another winner in Bill Haas who operated the belly putter all the way to the winner's circle.

Not only will belly putting be a topic at our big Instructor training at the first of the year but also how to get the ball up-and-down out of the water. I mean come on, how good was that shot in the playoff by Bill Haas to make an incredible saving par?

Currently, in the TOUR Academy Student Manual we have a number short game shots we teach in our programs, including the chip shot, hinge & hold, toss shot, pitching, bunkers and the always popular lob shot. In 2012, it looks like we are now going to have to add the greenside "water shot."

Often times, you will hear the announcers make the comment that the player is going to play this shot like a bunker shot. With only half the ball showing above the water and a very unpredictable situation surrounding it, Haas got into the water and played the shot just as if it was in a greenside bunker.

Whether you are actually in the bunker, in the rough or even find yourself kind of in the water, here are some things we can learn from this year's TOUR Championship and FedExCup winner.

1. Create enough loft at address: One of the most common errors in this situation is we don't create enough loft at address. It's important that when trying to hit a high greenside shot there is enough loft exposed which will allow for enough speed during the swing to launch the ball up in the air.

Here are few ideas to consider at address to create enough loft:

a. Select 60 degrees vs. 56 degrees
b. Open the club face up before you grip the club and not after
c. Set the club shaft neutral (hands in-line with club head) to slightly forward (hands ahead)
d. Club shaft angle a bit lower leading to more forward bend from the hips

2. Bigger swing to create speed: As a result of not enough loft at address, the launch angle can be very low resulting in a player over time shortening the length of the swing considerably in an attempt to not hit the ball too far. With the set-up as described above, a player will have enough loft to create a bigger swing resulting in the necessary speed to launch the ball high with spin.

Here are a few ideas to consider during the swing to create speed:

a. Less shoulder turn during back swing and more arm swing up and around the trail hip
b. Allow wrists to hinge immediately so the clubhead works up the line of the lead forearm
c. Turn torso through impact propelling the arms and clubhead through the sand
d. Allow wrists to re-hinge to a full relaxed finish -- No tension

3. Consistent point of entry: There can be nothing more frustrating than hitting five inches behind the ball one time and then right on top of the ball with no sand the next time. Therefore, learning to hit a consistent spot just behind the ball in the sand, grass or even the water is critical to building confidence. Therefore, set-up to the ball as defined above, make a bigger swing to create speed and for absolute certainty.

Here are a few more ideas to consider securing a consistent point of entry:

a. Focus eyes on spot just behind the ball and keep eyes on spot just behind the ball
b. Weight starts on lead foot and stays on lead foot
c. Sternum starts in-line with the ball and stays in-line with the ball
d. Practice and practice some more

This high-lofted greenside shot is a fun one to hit and can help you in so many different situations. Again, it is crucial you create enough loft at address first in order to promote a bigger swing that creates the speed necessary to enter the sand, grass or even water in a consistent spot to launch the ball high and next to the pin.

Just Because

Well sports fans it is hard to believe that year four of my blog on PGATOUR.COM has come to an end with the conclusion of the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Once again, it has been a pleasure on providing some insight to what these great champions like Haas do so well each week.

It really is a lot of fun for me to write this blog as I hope the things we have got to talk about this year has helped your game in some way. What I have encouraged in so many blogs over the years is to take control of your game and strive to get better. Improvement can be had by all whether it's getting on a detailed plan that assess your game's specific needs or by filtering through tips in magazines, books and the intranet. Regardless, I encourage you to keep working on your game and enjoying the process it has to offer.

I thank you all again and look forward to year five beginning in January in Hawaii.

Go Hawks!