Mastery of the short game has been Phil Mickelson’s calling card for the entirety of his illustrious career. His imagination and creativity around the greens is unmatched in the modern era, and it’s been a key to his success and longevity.
Mickelson’s short game wizardry was on full display during his surprising run at last week’s PGA Championship. The 50-year-old was able to steer himself out of trouble all week and minimize the damage on the scorecard, a key to his second win at the PGA.
If you want to learn a few tips from Mickelson, check out this video from the PGA Tour, or read below for more.
1. Put weight on your front foot
As Mickelson puts it, “there is only one way to chip.” With 60 degrees of loft and a sharp leading edge, you have to keep that edge down if you want to produce consistently solid contact.
In order to make it easier to keep that leading edge down, you must set up with your weight on your front foot. If you are leaning and have your weight back, that leading edge will come up and you will blade your ball across the green.
2. Decide on low or high
Another key is deciding if you want to hit your shot low or high before you even step into the ball. If you want to hit it low, the ball position should be off your back foot. If you want to go high, the ball should be place off your front foot.
“It’s never in between your feet,” Mickelson says. “If it’s in between your feet, you now can’t put your weight forward, or you’ll go over the top of it.”
If you try to put the ball in the center of your stance, your weight will level out and you will scoop the ball. This is a big short game no-no.
3. Make an inverse line
The last key according to Mickelson is making sure your arm and the club have an inverse line. Essentially, this means you need a slight forward press in your hands to get the club in the correct position for crisp contact.
“Once it’s locked in, the leading edge stays down,” Mickelson says.
With the leading edge down, you’ll be in excellent position to mimic Mickelson’s wizardry around the greens.
