A miracle on water! Jon Rahm’s mind-blowing skip shot at Augusta National’s 16th hole left the entire golf world stunned. In an unbelievable feat of skill and luck, Rahm’s ball danced across the pond not once, not twice, but FOUR times before racing up the green and diving into the cup for a hole-in-one! And to make this 2020 moment even more magical? It happened on his 26th birthday! You simply can’t script this stuff. While most golfers pray to avoid water hazards, Rahm conquered one in the most spectacular fashion imaginable – creating a moment that will live forever in golf’s highlight reel.

So, how in the world do pros make this magic happen? Well, it’s not just luck – there’s real technique behind it. And who better to explain than Rickie Fowler, who was right there watching when Rahm made history? Fowler’s got this down to a science.

Delve into Rickie Fowler’s take on mastering water-skipping

“I play it middle to a little back of middle with a little open stance which helps me get through the ball,” he explains while showing off his method. Pretty specific, right? Here’s the secret sauce – it’s all about weight distribution. “I feel like my weight’s more on my front foot just so it makes it easier to get level with the ground,” says Fowler.

Think about it—by shifting his weight forward, Fowler can stay low through impact instead of rising. This technique keeps the clubhead traveling almost parallel to the water’s surface, creating that perfect shallow angle of attack. Most amateurs make the mistake of hitting down too steeply, which just sends the ball plunging straight into the water. And don’t just swing blindly! Fowler’s got a target in mind when he tries these shots.

“I’m picking a spot kind of 10-12 yards out,” he reveals. This is crucial because aiming too close to shore won’t give the ball enough momentum while aiming too far might create an angle that is too shallow. That carefully selected landing zone creates the perfect entry angle for the low, skimming trajectory that’s essential for multiple bounces. It’s like finding the Goldilocks zone—not too close, not too far, but just right.

Vijay Singh was the first to turn this trick shot into a hole-in-one during Masters practice back in 2009. Then Martin Kaymer pulled off the same miracle in 2012. Rahm was the third to join this super-exclusive club! Who started this crazy tradition? Well, that’s up for debate. Some say Lee Trevino in the mid-80s, but Canadian Gary Cowan swears it began way back in 1972 during a practice round with Ben Crenshaw. Either way, it’s become an Augusta must-see.

There have been some hilarious attempts over the years, too. Phil Mickelson once aimed at a turtle sitting near the green (don’t worry, he missed). And can you imagine the crowd’s reaction when Camilo Villegas and Cameron Tringale tried simultaneous skips that both nearly went in?

The physics behind Rickie Fowler’s tips

Ever skip stones at a lake? Same idea, but with a golf ball and a lot more skill! When a ball hits the water at just the right angle (about 13-16 degrees) with good speed, it creates this tiny air pocket that lets it bounce instead of sink. Pretty cool, huh?

Getting the speed right is tricky – too slow and splash, too fast and it might take one giant leap into who-knows-where. The sweet spot gives you those perfect multiple skips that lose just enough energy each time to keep the ball under control.

What started as players just goofing around has become one of golf’s coolest traditions – a reminder that even when millions are on the line, golf should still be fun! Have you ever tried skipping a ball across the water? Did it work, or was it more of a splash contest? Let us know your skip-shot stories in the comments below!