“I like doing it (practice routine) either in my yard at home where I built a practice facility or some of the local clubs or when I’m on the road at a different club. But I practice flying my wedges to a specific yardage three days a week.” said Phil Mickelson. “I hit over 1,500 golf balls and try to fly it within a yard or hit a target, and, for the most part, I’m able to fly it within a yard 90% of the time.”

“So the fact that it landed close to the hole (last year at the 2011 Farmers Insurance Open), it was supposed to. I mean, I work at that. That’s what I practice. It’s not an accident that my wedge game is what it is, because I sit there and work on it. I just don’t do it out here for everybody to see.”

According to Phil Mickelson, he hits the pin with a wedge about a dozen times a year, which often causes a worse result than not hitting the pin. “(Short-game guru Dave) Pelz wants me to have the pin removed on every wedge shot, which I won’t do because it just looks bad. But the fact is that I hit the pin a dozen times a year, and probably 11 out of those 12, the ball ends up in a worse spot because of it. So two things. I wanted to give it two chances to get in. One, trying to fly it in, and two, trying to back it up back into the hole, and it came close. It didn’t go in, so what does it matter, but it came close.”

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The Secret of Phil Mickelson’s Chip Shots

When setting up for a low trajectory pitch shot, a very important thing to understand is the shaft angle needs to be set forward and stay in that position through impact. You’ll also want to move a little closer to the golf ball, so the ball releases quickly towards the hole. The keys here are to keep the golf club shaft angle forward at impact, get closer to the golf ball and then set the golf ball a little back of middle in your stance.

Another fundamental to remember with all three of these shots is to hit down on the golf ball. Many golfers mistakenly try and lift the golf ball in the air resulting in a chunky shot or a thin one that releases all the way across the green.

Make sure you set up with the shaft angle forward at address so you can return to that shaft angle at impact. Get closer to the golf ball, hit down into the golf ball and you’ll produce a low running shot.

With the medium pitch shot, we’re going to set up with ball in the middle of our stance, the shaft angle is going to be straight up from the golf ball and we’re also going to be our usual distance from the golf ball. This golf swing is a short, descending blow that will fly towards the green with a little more loft and a little less release. This is probably the most consistent pitch shot to hit and should be your first choice around the greens if possible.

The final pitch shot is a soft, high shot or “flop” shot. This is the shot that everyone loves to hit, but it’s also the hardest and most difficult shot to repeat.

Setting up to a flop shot, you’ll need to open the clubface and move farther away from the golf ball. Since we move closer to the golf ball for the lower running shot, we’re going step a couple balls back away from your normal stance for this high-loft shot. Also, remember to aim your clubface where you want the golf ball to go first then set your body around that position.

For this golf shot, you’ll want your clubface aimed to the target but your stance will be open approximately 15-20 degrees. This shot requires a bit longer golf swing, right along your body line. A bigger swing with an open club face will launch the ball high and will also limit how far the ball releases after impact.

With all three of these shots, remember to hit down into the golf ball, there’s no scooping allowed. Also, be sure to survey the situation before you decide which of these golf shots to hit. There is definitely some risk/reward involved in this decision that could have a huge impact on your success.

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3 Golf Pitch Shots That Could Save Your Round

Unfortunately, if you’re looking to lower your golf handicap, working on gaining extra distance is probably not the best use of your time. If nearly 67% of all golf shots are taken within 100 yards of the hole, it becomes quite obvious that the short game often decides the men from the boys.

As a golfer, interested in shooting lower scores, there is little doubt you’ve heard this sermon before — “devote more of your practice time to your short game.” The reason is as simple as the math above, your score comes from your short game.

But wait there’s more. When you spend time practicing your putting and your short shots and swings — in the proper way – you get double the reward because the skills you develop in this area transfer to your long game.

Click here to read more.

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Focus on Your Short Game to Lower Your Scores

Phil Mickelson’s DVD “Secrets of the Short Game” wasn’t the first short game video series and it won’t be the last. But it just might be the best production that can truly change your game and improve your technique around the greens immediately.

Yes, I’m a long time Dave Pelz fan and so is Phil. However, the quality and quantity of tips, technique and tricks in this two DVD set is worth its weight in gold. In fact, it’s often surprising at not only the content, but the candor Mickelson has while teaching and demonstrating the various shots in front of the camera. His personality and confidence shines through brightly in this DVD series which was produced and directed by Terry Jastrow, a seven-time Emmy award winner whose credits include Producer/Director of six previous Olympic Opening Ceremonies, Super Bowl XIX, 68 Golf Majors and events ranging from an Indianapolis 500 and Kentucky Derby.

The first “Secrets of the Short Game” disc focuses on putting and chipping while the second disc includes a flop shot section, bunker play and specialty shots such as buried lies and longer bumker shots.

Phil’s putting approach can be at times analytical, but almost always makes simple sense. One of the main suggestions that I took away from this section was the Jackie Burke 25/75 concept. Burke suggests that your backswing swing should be 25 percent and your swing through the ball should be 75 percent. This should allow you to hit the ball aggressively while accelerating through the shot and creating a smooth rhythm.

The chipping section is quite blunt – there is only one effective way to chip. In fact, Phil is quite honest in saying anyone who doesn’t subscribe to this theory is nuts. Here Mickleson teaches to break your wrist immediately when going back on a chip, then hold on and accelerate toward the hole. After watching him demonstrate this simple technique, it’s hard to imagine why you would want to do anything else.

Another highlight of the series is Phil’s precise explanation of his famous flop shot. The amateur golfer might actually be a bit frightened from trying this type of shot after learning about how much thought and preparation Phil puts in even before attempting such a shot. But this knowledge is priceless and Mickelson’s in-depth explanation of matching the shot with the lie can only help golfers of all experience levels.

Can Phil Mickelson’s “Secrets of the Short Game” help your game?  Yes, most definitely. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find more quality golf short game instruction content packed into a more entertaining and easy to watch format. Phil Mickelson’s “Secrets of the Short Game” retails for $49.95 and is available from several online retailers including Amazon.com.

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Review: Phil Mickelson DVD Secrets of the Short Game

Golf professional Kent Smith explains how to use the bounce and loft of the golf club to escape from difficult lies and save shots around the green.

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How to Save Shots Around the Greens

Learn to put spin on a golf ball by cleanly hitting the ball, thereby allowing the grooves of the golf club to generate spin.

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How to Put Spin on the Golf Ball

Ron del Barrios teaches how to use a simple drop and turn movement to produce consistent chip shots.

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Drop & Turn for Consistent Chip Shots

Jeff Yurkiewicz shows three ways to pitch the ball – the low pitch shot, the basic pitch shot, and the high pitch shot.

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Three Pitch Shots to Save Your Round

Kip Puterbaugh teaches you the simple set and hold method for consistently solid chip shots.

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Set & Hold for Solid Pitch Shots

Golf professional Shawn Clement shows you how to get the feel for the short chip shot close to the green.

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Maintaining Momentum for Solid Chip Shots