Spanish Hands Drill: Using a 7-Iron in the Bunker to Build Creativity & Short-Game Control

Key Points

• • “Spanish hands” = short game creativity developed through challenge and necessity

• • First bunker lesson: use a 7-iron instead of a sand wedge
    - If you can master the harder shot, the easier one becomes natural

• • Same drills now taught to elite players like Jon Rahm. 

• Setup for skill-building:
  • Crouched stance
  • Feet wide
  • Clubface laid open

• This develops:
  • Coordination between arms and torso
  • Stability and movement control

• • Teaching tip: start by explaining the bounce — the sole of the club is what pushes through the sand

   

• Technical keys:
  • Open the face
  • Rotate body left
  • Arms stay close
  • Maintain bounce throughout the swing

• • The same mechanics apply to approach shots as well

• • Build technique under constraint, and you'll develop feel, control, and consistency across all short game situations.