Phil Mickelson is one of golf’s all-time greats.
He’s not just a six-time major champion he’s also the oldest major championship winner.
He was victorious in the Masters three times, in the PGA Championship twice, in the Open once and he was second at the US Open on six separate occasions.
In all, he has 57 wins around the world.
At his best he was a thrilling golfer.
He attacked from the tee, he attacked from the fairway, he attacked from the trees, he attacked from the rough and he attacked with the putter in his hands.
But his short game might have been his greatest asset.
In this video he highlights a secret that most amateur golfers just don’t understand.
“The ball,” Mickelson says, “should never be between your feet.”
He then repeats this point quite a few times.
“It should never be between your feet,” he says straightaway.
“Most people have not decided what shot they’re going to hit.
“When the ball is between your feet you can’t putt your weight forward because you’ll go over the top of it.
“If you want to hit it high you have to scoop it so you put your weight back.”
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Having explained the errors Mickelson concludes once more: “You can’t chip with the ball between your feet but time and again people try to chip with the ball between their feet.”
Okay, what’s the answer?
“So,” Mickelson says. “The most basic chip is we’re going to go low.
“The ball’s off the back foot.
“We can vary it but we’ll vary it off the back foot.”
He then demonstrates.
“My hands are ahead,” he explains.
“My weight is forward.
“I’ll hit the next one high. Higher and softer.
“I’ll hit it off the front foot.
“My weight is still forward and my hands are forward.
“You can see that went higher and stopped quicker.”
It’s a simple idea and there are not many better chippers than Mickelson.