Earlier this year, Keith Mitchell stunned golf fans when he narrowly missed a daring bunker shot on the edge of the green long 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open. The dangerous shot in question? or Thai spinner – a shot made famous by Kiradech Aphibarnratwho is from Thailand.
For many golfers, it was the first time they had seen this shot executed from sand. But, according to Parker McLachlin, a GOLF Teacher to seeit can be the key to improving your greenside bunker game.
In a recent post on Instagram, McLachlin also known as Short game Chief– found that hitting Mitchell’s unique bunker shot is a great way to practice shallow arc depth and low point control – one of the most important keys in the sand.
Why the Thai spinner can improve your bunker game
The reason it works is because it teaches you to get into the sand at the right time. If you watch Mitchell in the clip above, you’ll see that his club enters the sand directly under the ball, not behind it – a common mistake made by amateurs from the bunker.
“Look at how little sand he gets,” says McLachlin. “It’s basically a fairway shot out of the bunker.”
As nerve-wracking as it is to hit a shot from this lie, practicing it can also help you figure out if you’re using your club bounce correctly and help you avoid digging into the lead.
To copy what Mitchell is doing above, put him in the shot with a slightly narrow stance. Play the ball in the middle of your stance. Notice how his wrists are relatively straight as he lets his body and arms swing back and through to power the movement.
“It’s like a stroke,” Mitchell says.
If you’re doing it right, the ball should come out low but controlled with a lot of spin. With enough practice, you can hit the green bunker with more confidence, knowing you’ve set your low point.
ShortGameChef.comcreated by PGA Tour winner Parker McLachlin, offers golfers a comprehensive resource to improve their short game. Through personalized advice, coaching and expert knowledge, Parker helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
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