So, if you’re struggling with your chipping, who better to fix your problems than the one and only Phil Mickelson?
Mickelson has carved out one of the greatest careers in the professional game, with six major championships and 45 PGA Tour wins to his name.
‘Lefty’, as he is known out on tour, is a real fan favourite, and he has thrilled galleries all over the world with his incredibly exciting style of play.
He takes a lot of time to help amateur golfers improve their games as well. Mickelson often posts regular tips on how to get better at chipping, and there aren’t many better players to learn from than him.
Mickelson is still ‘hitting bombs’ off the tee, in spite of the fact that he’s only two months away from his 55th birthday!
Whilst he was a very long hitter in his prime, he is most well-known for his incredible ability around the greens.
And now you can improve your chipping and subsequently your scores by watching one video posted by the six-time major champion.
Phil Mickelson gives one crucial tip to amateur golfers when chipping
The 54-year-old’s educated hands around the greens have enabled him to win so consistently throughout his career.
He is undoubtedly one of the very best exponents of the short game in professional golf, if not the best.
Now Mickelson has shared the secret to chipping well consistently.
“In chipping, we want hand speed, not club-head speed.
“Club-head speed, we like this with our driver with a driver is when the hands slow down and the club speeds up. But when I speed up my hand, the club actually slows down. In chipping, we want that hand speed, not club head speed, for two main reasons. One, don’t we want the club accelerating and having the ball jump off face, we want it to grip the face. Secondly, when we let the club pass the arms, the leading edge is coming up and the bounce is changing relative to the ground, and a lot of times it hits the ground and the ball takes off.
“When you keep your hands accelerating it keeps the angle of the leading edge and the bounce consistent longer through the shot.
“I like that thought because we’re aggressive with the hands, we feel the acceleration, but the club is actually travelling six or seven mph slower.
“A great way to practice this is one-handed because we have to continue the arm towards the target. Then we put our second hand on it, and we just keep our hands accelerating out into the finish and we don’t let it stop.
“I have to keep my hands forward and my hands accelerating so the leading edge stays down because if I don’t the bounce will kick the leading edge right into the ball.”
Mickelson gives tip on how to hit the ball longer off the tee
If you want to hit longer and straighter drives, Mickelson has the answer.
He explained how to use your front leg as a real source of power:
“The one I really like to focus on is the front leg push because it’s important for creating speed,” the six-time major winner revealed.
“If you watch the guys who are long drivers like Bryson, Bubba and hit it really hard, all the long drive guys. Your knee is meant to bend. It is not meant to support that type of violent rotation, so it’s important that this gives a little bit. The toe is able to give. So, as we push your foot comes off the ground and relieves the pressure.”
Mickelson added: “We’ve learned the hard way through a bunch of players who have not done that, swing violently and have a bunch of knee surgeries.
“One of the power sources is to push with your front leg. It’s almost up and back. I don’t want to be going forward. I wanna have my body work back and create a little more of a power source in my leg.”
If you follow Mickelson’s advice, whether that be about chipping or driving, you will undoubtedly improve your golf game.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
