Phil Mickelson, the legendary left-handed golfer, is renowned for his extraordinary abilities on and around the greens. His talent for executing high flop shots has become a part of his iconic legacy in the golfing world. This prowess has often served as his secret weapon during major tournaments, enabling him to stay in the running even when faced with challenging situations.
While Mickelson’s natural aptitude for the game is undeniable, his mastery over the short game is a testament to his deep understanding of the sport and countless hours of practice. These factors combined have cemented his reputation as one of the most skilled chippers in the history of golf.
Mickelson has always been generous in sharing his expertise with those aspiring to enhance their golfing skills. In the past, he has shared valuable insights about the fundamentals of chipping and has identified common mistakes amateurs make around the greens.
In a recent social media video, Mickelson took the time to guide amateur golfers through the process of playing high shots into pins on the short side. The six-time major champion emphasized the importance of maintaining forward weight distribution and ball positioning.
Mickelson explained, “We’re discussing a high, soft shot from a short distance. Often, people would opt to putt, but sometimes, the conditions aren’t conducive. A rough edge can make putting difficult. When attempting to hit the ball high and soft quickly, our weight should be predominantly on our front foot, and the ball position should be well forward.”
He further elaborated on his technique, stating, “I position the ball forward, shift all my weight to the front, and lay the club flat on the ground. It’s evident that my weight is forward as my back foot is off the green. I concentrate all my weight on my front foot. Then, I let the club slide underneath the ball. I apply a bit more speed because the club is so flat, and I need the ball to ascend. It’s not a simple shot to execute, but with some practice, it can be mastered.”
Mickelson’s repertoire boasts an array of awe-inspiring flop shots. One of his most memorable ones was executed at the 2019 Genesis Invitational. Despite being significantly out of position, Mickelson played an incredible lob shot over the grandstand and onto the green.
Another remarkable flop shot was captured during a coaching video from his early days on the PGA Tour, where Mickelson executed a shot over his head—backwards—onto the green.
Mickelson also left spectators and commentators alike astounded during the FedEx Cup playoffs—St. Jude Championship, when he pulled off an exceptional flop shot over two bunkers, setting up an easy up and down.
Perhaps his most famous flop shot was during the 2002 Tour Championship, where he astonishingly flew his ball over a house. The exceptional skill and precision demonstrated by Mickelson in these instances reinforce his legendary status in the sport.
