Most amateurs probably dread hitting a hook shot when they’re playing but for the professionals, it can be one of the most useful tools in their arsenal and Tom Watson has explained just how Jack Nicklaus would do it in his prime.

Hooking the ball can be a massive advantage on certain golf courses as if played correctly, it allows golfers to navigate corners and crucially, cut distance out of the course.

Over the years, we’ve seen some brilliant examples of a hook shot played correctly as the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson have treated us to magic moments, while who will ever forget Bubba Watson’s hook shot at the 2012 Masters.

However, the hook shot in general goes back many a year and speaking on a previous tips video, the legendary Tom Watson shared his top tip, as well as what Jack Nicklaus advised.

What Jack Nicklaus told Tom Watson about playing a hook shot in golf

You’re not going to go far wrong playing a hook shot if you listen to players like Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus.

With more than 25 majors between them, it’s safe to say both Watson and Nicklaus know a thing or two about all the shots in the game.

However, when it comes to hitting a hook, Watson previously revealed how he followed his father’s advice while Nicklaus, as expected, had his own method.

“We’re going to discuss how to hook the ball. There’s a couple of different ways you can do this. When I first started the game of golf, my Dad taught me,” Watson explained.

“He said ‘son, aim to the right of the target, pull the right foot back, and when you go through the impact area just rotate your hands a little bit faster. That made it hook.”

Going into more detail after hitting the shot as a demo, Watson then revealed what Nicklaus had told him which had stuck as well.

“Now I saw Jack Nicklaus do a clinic once and he said this, he said ‘take the club up, and just hood it up but take the grip of the club before you do that’, and then hit,”

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What Bubba Watson said about his hook shot that won him The Masters

As mentioned above, Bubba Watson’s hook at the 2012 Masters is arguably the most iconic shot of that type in history.

The shot from the pine straw, through the patrons under a tree and onto the green was one of the most remarkable efforts in recent history.

Indeed, at the time, Watson explained just what was going through his mind.

“Even though the tower was in my way, I didn’t want to ask if I get relief or anything because it just set up for a perfect draw — well, hook,” he explained.

“I hit 52-degree, my gap wedge, hooked it about 40 yards, hit about 15 feet off the ground until it got under the tree and then started rising….pretty easy,” Watson laughed.