by Nicholas Gamble

Bubba Watson at the Masters in Augusta 2012 (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Imagine the scenario - amateur golfers all over the UK ripping up their how-to manuals, cancelling their lessons and throwing their technique guides out of the window.

Over six thousand teaching pros out of a job whilst amateurs hack away at the green intent on nurturing their own unique style, cultivating what they call 'Bubba Golf.'

The start of a new era - golfing without the science?
Is this the dawn of a new era in golf, the art of golfing without the science? Or can playing 'Bubba Golf' be an effective strategy in itself?

The way in which the 33yr old Florida-born Gerry Lester aka Bubba Watson got his Green Jacket this month, may worry some members of the sports governing bodies as 'Bubba Golf', a drive-bombing, shot shaping, DIY approach, takes centre stage.

His win at this year's Masters points to the question how other golfers should approach their own games – do we need repeated training and tuition to get ahead or should we try and wing it Bubba style? 

It's a tough act to follow
Having never had a lesson in his life, Bubba's major win will have had players across the world wondering if it's a plausible style to emulate. But even the pros confess that it's a tough act to follow.

American-Australian Aaron Baddeley declares Bubba's shot-shaping abilities impossible to emulate: 'He can move the ball so far. He can hit a 50-yard fade off the tee because he can hit it 320. If I hit a 50-yard fade, it will go 260.'

Nick Faldo declared the miracle shot to be exactly that: 'I've never seen a ball screw to the right like that on this green - ever.'

Think the impossible...and make it possible
Is Bubba's success down to the fact he hasn't allowed himself to be hampered by traditional techniques? Rather than over-thinking shots, he's allowed himself to be creative on the course – to allow himself to think the impossible and make it possible.

Creativity on the golf course is overlooked by most of us who are too scared to attempt the more daring shot, and it shouldn't be, especially if you're not playing to pay the bills.

Bubba's approach to the game and personal character could not be more different to the biggest figure in golf today – Tiger Woods.

Swing mechanics vs DIY
Tiger has a fascination with all the intricacies of swing mechanics whereas Bubba takes a more homemade approach. So should we be moving away from conventional techniques and lessons and towards 'Bubba Golf'?

Well let's face it – Bubba is unique – his game is unique. Whilst we would all love to play shots like engineering miracles it isn't going to happen anytime soon. It makes for great watching – almost like the fairytale of golf if you like, where DIY kid who practises for days on end in his backyard grows up to come good in the end and beat the giants but for the rest of us it's not so simple.

Start playing from the heart
What we can learn from Bubba is to start playing from the heart and not just the head.  Inject some creativity and courage into your game. Next time you think you can't make that shot?

Just try – you never know, crazier things have happened at the Masters...