- Publish date:
Big Play with Jim Suttie
WHO: Phil Mickelson
WHAT: 255-yard tee shot with a three-wood
WHERE: Par-4 8th, Pebble Beach
WHEN: Final round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am
WHY
I'm not surprised that Mickelson scrapped the compact swing he used last year while winning his first major and $5.8 million, because he was never totally comfortable with it. Mickelson is a feel player who craves distance, and his old swing is a long and fluid action with tons of lag to generate enormous power.
JIM'S TIP
Tie on a Towel to Learn to Lag
Lag is the angle created between your left forearm and the shaft. Maintaining or increasing lag during the downswing for as long as possible before releasing the club through impact promotes more clubhead speed and distance. To learn to increase your lag, swing a driver with a bath towel tied around the shaft near the clubhead. The towel's weight and the resistance it creates on the downswing will keep you from uncocking your wrists too soon--a.k.a. casting--while creating extra lag.
Jim Suttie runs Suttie Academy at The Club at TwinEagles in Naples, Fla., and is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher.
... AND ANOTHER THING
"I don't like Tiger Woods's new swing. His fade grip, laid-off position at the top and hook action are a recipe for inconsistency."
TOP 100 TEACHERS POLL
In the long run, is Mickelson making a mistake by abandoning the swing that won him the Masters?
Yes 28%
No 72%
"He hasn't changed the swing or his philosophy. His new ball and driver are longer."
--RICK SMITH, Mickelson's coach
COLOR PHOTO
COURTESY OF CBS (MICKELSON, BIG PLAY)
COLOR PHOTO
ANDREW GOMBERT (2, SUTTIE)
COLOR PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
ANDREW GOMBERT (2, SUTTIE); JOHN BIEVER
COLOR PHOTO
JOHN BIEVER
