Phil Mickelson: Secrets of the Short Game Review

Tyler here with a review of Phil’s new DVD program: Secrets of the Short Game. For those of you who don’t know my background. I am a great ball striker who has had periods where he struggled around the green. As a result, the short game has become one of my biggest passions within the big picture of swing mechanics. And when the best short game wizard comes out with a new DVD, assume that I have it pre-ordered.

My short game ideas have come from a few key sources. In the book world, I have read lots of the older books concerning wedge play. Tom Watson has a great one. Tom Kite has a great one. And most recently, Stan Utley reset the bar with his Art of the Short Game book blending technical and feel oriented instruction. In the techie world, I have had the privileged of seeing some 3D’s of some great short game artists. So I have an ok understanding of some of the different ways to do it. And no, contrary to what anyone says, it is NOT the same kinematic sequence as the full swing. The data backs it up. There can be similar shots, but as a whole, it is not the same. The other major source of my short game information is a great Baltimorian instructor named Bernie Najar. He is a very knowledgeable instructor and former Teacher of the Year for the section. Smart guy with a good website, www.parsavers.com if you want to check it out. Ok enough of that stuff, on to Phil’s DVD.

The two DVD set is very well put together. It starts with a great montage featuring some of his best short game shots in tournaments; set to a soundtrack that could have doubled for a major motion picture theme – it really reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean. It really got you in the mood to get up and down like a hero.

The DVD set has sections on putting, chipping, flop shots, bunker, and specialty shots. The real meat of this program is in the putting and chipping sections.

Phil recaps a bunch of standard putting principles, but with his own twists. He has a clear matter of fact way of stating his facts and gets confrontational about certain conventional wisdom. He clearly says there are many ways to putt and spends more time talking about reading greens and good putting drills. It is simple and clear and I think a good view for any beginner, anyone struggling with their putting, or anyone who loves Phil’s interviews and can’t get enough of the big “cheesy.”

His chipping section is very good. It keeps the mechanics really simple – possibly too simple – and focuses a lot on the adjustments that need to be made for each shot. He demonstrates the significance of the “hinge-and-hold” method of chipping and how all good chippers do it. It is the ONLY method in his mind. One of his big keys is to accelerate through every shot – he goes so far as to say that the clock image of same distance back and through falls under the “what are you thinking??” category. Interesting considering his short game coach usually gets the credit for the image.

The rest of the DVD set show’s more situational adjustments that are good for novice and intermediate golfers to be aware of. I highly recommend this product if you are getting into learning how to score but if you are an overly technical golfer (like me) then you might find the instruction section somewhat lacking. If you want more technical stick with Stan Utley. But until Stan comes out with a DVD this is the best short game DVD available.