Masters 2026: 5 keys to hitting Augusta National's famous water-skipping trick shot
Skipping the ball across the water on the par-3 16th is a Masters pre-tournament tradition. Turns out, the shot is more straightforward than it looks.
Most golfers will never get to experience the numerous traditions that make the Masters so special, like the Champions Dinner or Par-3 Contest. One that they can try to replicate, however, is the practice-round ritual of skipping shots across the water, which players try at Augusta National's par-3 16th . If you play on a course with water, you know this trick shot comes with high stakes.
Pull it off and you’re the artist confident enough to risk a $4 ball to show off your moves. Fail, and watch your Pro-V1 torpedo to the bottom of the pond—or perhaps more embarrassing, sail over the water altogether. MASTERS 2026: Power rankings for the entire field at Augusta National Fortuntatley the shot is fairly straightforward provided you follow a few fundamentals.
A few years back, Rickie Fowler gave us his keys to pul l it off . Our advice: Start with a cheap scuffed ball until you’ve mastered the shot. Otherwise, this can be an expensive pursuit.
1. Move it back Christian Petersen The secret of this shot is to create the proper angle of the ball hitting the water. If you drive the ball into the water at too steep of an angle, it won’t skip.