The Shot of the Year – And What You Can Learn

Breaking Down Cam Davis’ Viral Shot at Pebble Beach

Every so often, we see a shot that makes the entire golf world stop and say, How did he pull that off? On Sunday, Cam Davis delivered the shot of the year on the 18th hole at Pebble Beach—a high-spinning, soft-landing miracle from the eucalyptus tree roots. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out here! Now, let’s break down exactly how he did it and what you can take away from it.

Cam Davis works with PGA TOUR Coach Ralph Bauer, the creator of this newsletter, and his ability to control ball flight in extreme situations is no accident. Here’s why this shot was so impressive and how you can apply similar principles to your own game.

Cam Davis’ Setup: The Foundation of the Shot

The first thing that stands out in Davis’ setup is his extreme knee flex. This does two things:

1. Keeps him low to the ground for better control and stability.

2. Position him closer to the golf ball to allow for a steep angle of attack, necessary for high trajectory and spin.

Another key adjustment? A low handle position. Instead of standing tall and using a neutral or high handle (which would typically produce a lower shot), Davis drops his hands at address. This allows him to open the clubface significantly while keeping the leading edge closer to the ground—essential for adding loft and spin.

The Swing: Creating Height and Spin in a Tight Spot

1. The Takeaway: A Steep, Outside Move

Davis takes the club back outside his hands on a much steeper plane than a normal shot. This is intentional—he needs to ensure he’s not coming in too shallow, which could result in a flubbed shot or a disastrous wrist injury from the tree roots.

2. A Full, High Backswing

Despite not having to hit the ball far, he makes a full-length backswing. With the clubface wide open, he needs extra speed and length in his swing to generate enough power while also creating a soft landing.

3. The Downswing: Same Plane, More Stability

As he transitions down, his club follows the same steep plane he set in the takeaway. The key here is maintaining knee flex all the way into impact, ensuring a descending strike that maximizes spin.

4. Impact & Follow-Through: The Secret to Control

There are two critical things happening at impact:

1. His hands stay forward and low through the strike. This helps reduce the risk of injury from the roots while also ensuring a clean, controlled strike.

2. His follow-through is short and controlled, exiting in front of his body. Instead of a full release, he keeps the club cutting across the ball—just like a greenside bunker shot—to add loft and spin.

How to Use This in Your Own Game

While most of us won’t be pulling off viral shots from tree roots anytime soon (and if you do, maybe reconsider taking a drop!), there are some valuable takeaways for your own game:

✅ Use knee flex for stability. Staying lower helps with control and prevents excessive lower-body movement.

✅ Lower your handle for higher shots. If you need more height and spin, drop your hands at address.

✅ Take a full swing on open-faced shots. The added length helps maintain speed when using a glancing blow.

✅ Think of it like a bunker shot. If you’re playing a high, soft shot with an open face, keep the club cutting across the ball rather than releasing fully.

Even if you don’t hit a shot worthy of SportsCenter, these adjustments can help you impress your buddies—and more importantly, save strokes.

Final Thoughts

Cam Davis’ shot at Pebble Beach was a masterclass in execution under pressure. The next time you need to hit a high, soft-landing shot, keep these keys in mind: knee flex, low hands, a full swing, and an open face. You might not go viral, but you will get up and down more often.

Thanks for reading! If you found this helpful, share it with a fellow golfer who loves short game wizardry. Let me know if you’ve ever hit (or attempted) a shot like this—I’d love to hear about it!

Thanks for reading! I hope this inspires your next practice session. If you found this helpful, share it with a fellow golfer who might enjoy these tips. Have questions or ideas for future topics? Let me know—we’d love to hear from you!