For many amateur players, tight lies around the greens can prove daunting. You’ve just hit two great shots to the green only to waste a stroke from inside 15 feet.
It’s a mistake lower handicap players rarely make and something that isn’t seen within the professional scene. Golfers who shoot near par or under par must have a consistent short-game technique; it’s non-negotiable.
Many tips are available for improving one’s short game, and Phil Mickelson‘s chipping advice is among the best.
Phil Mickelson’s ‘easy’ chipping advice
Typically, amateur players ‘duff’ or ‘fat’ chip shots, with the leading edge catching turf and the ball not travelling very far; soft ground or grainy Bermuda promote this type of shot.
Mickelson, however, has suggested amateur players should play chip shots with a more vertical shaft, promoting the toe of the club to make contact with the ball.
“When we get tight lies, we want to get rid of the bounce of the club and make solid contact,” Mickelson said.
“Ball first. On a normal wedge, the bounce sits below the leading edge, but on the toe, there’s no bounce, so what I do is I elevate the shaft so it’s as vertical as I can have it. If you imagine the shaft being the leading edge, trying to get the entire leading edge under the ball is difficult, especially with tight lies into the grain.
“If I tilt it so just the toe makes contact, I can get underneath the ball. When you hit it off the toe, it comes out a little slow so that you might leave the first few short, but it’s very easy to get underneath the ball and make solid contact.”
Mickelson’s advice on the leading edge comes after Steve Stricker shared a similar tip to current PGA Tour star, Will Zalatoris.
Why is Phil Mickelson’s short game so good?
Mickelson’s ability to create various shots with his lofted wedges embodies the way professionals view the short game. Many are content using one club to play a variety of shots.
For the legendary lefty, his utilisation of the lob wedge is well known. Mickelson’s ability to generate spin and height from tight lies is something most amateurs can only dream of attempting.
What’s more, the 54-year-old’s knowledge of the short game is up there with the all-time greats. Mickelson knows how a ball will react from a specific lie with the shot he’s attempting to play.
The six-time major winner’s confidence and exquisite touch allow him to pull off shots which are not possible for most within the professional scene.
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