Phil Mickelson - Open the clubface

[timgolfy]

Just been watching Phil Mickelson's "Secrets of the Short Game" DVD.

In one chip shot he said: open the club face. Now turn your stance so the the clubface is square. Regrip. Now sing as before, but with the arms still acting towards the target.

Is this not the same as a "normal" shot with the clubface square? The only thing that has changed is the open stance, yet because he's advising to swing on the same path as before (towards the target), in effect the club is making the exact same movement (he also specially advises to avoid cutting across the ball).

Have I missed something?

 

[G_Mulligan]

I could be wrong but I think what he is saying is don't swing around the body any more. On a regular shot you swing along the target line and around your body but with the open stance you have to resist swinging around your body to keep the club on line.

Not sure if I have explained it well even if I am right so if someone else would like to have a go......

 

[chrisd]

I 've been watching his clips on Utube and its "hinge and hold" he calls it. You break the wrist very early and swing back in pretty much a straight line, and then, hit the ball without letting the clubface release through the shot and overtake the grip. It works pretty well



Chris

 

[timgolfy]

It's an absolutely excellent DVD. A pleasure to hear the thoughts of one of the greats. I was just confused over this point, though.

 

[Region3]

Wouldn't it just mean there's more loft on the club, and in turn more bounce?

 

[HRC99]

Wouldn't it just mean there's more loft on the club, and in turn more bounce?

Yup!

It's just a way of sending the ball higher and stopping softer without using a club with a higher loft.

 

[timgolfy]

Okay - so by standing in an open stance the angle of the shaft (and therefore club face) has changed. I still don't quite understand how that works, or how that is different to having the ball further back or forward in the stance. I guess there is some subtle difference.

Many thanks.

 

[bobmac]

Have you mastered the standard chip/pitch shots?

 

[timgolfy]

Has anyone?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have you mastered the standard chip/pitch shots?

Be fair Bob he hasn't reached 300 yard nirvana yet and he doesn't get out onto a course anyway to try these shots. Not very realistic chipping on the range.

 

[G_Mulligan]

Bobs makes a fair point though. I have that DVD and watched it several times over the last few weeks but I have not moved onto the second disc yet. I have just worked on the basic chip/pitch shot until I get the technique down and the yardages right before moving onto the fancier stuff.

 

[bobmac]

I have just worked on the basic chip/pitch shot until I get the technique down and the yardages right before moving onto the fancier stuff.

You're not as daft as you look

 

[G_Mulligan]

You're not as daft as you look

Thats Greg Norman I was given his name but not his game

 

[MikeB]

Bobs makes a fair point though. I have that DVD and watched it several times over the last few weeks but I have not moved onto the second disc yet. I have just worked on the basic chip/pitch shot until I get the technique down and the yardages right before moving onto the fancier stuff.

Me too, I have been using the basic chip - hinge & hold on the course & sometimes trying the more advanced bits on the practice area.