Tip of the Month

May 2007

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

Upon Phil Mickelson's victorious finish in this year's Players' Championship the buzz at bar and water cooler was "on the job training works when Butch Harmon's the trainer". Knowing Butch, having visited him in Las Vegas for lessons and participated with him in a national teaching and coaching summit, I'll tell you who, how, and why. Butch grew up with a club pro father who won the Masters in 1948. Aside from pedigree,Butch played the PGA Tour a couple years himself. Then found success coaching the pros. For example, he alone has coached and elevated two albeit talented players, Tiger and Greg Norman, to world #1 ranking.Butch ia a big believer in keeping it simple. Less is more. Let your students have fun. Make sure you get them in a relaxed atmosphere. Get your students to stretch and tell them flexibility is a vital asset in achieving your full potential.His tips and swing images are timeless. After spending many hours with great players and his father at the famed Winged Foot and Seminole, Butch has developed the best of old school techniques along with today's high tech teaching tools.

Back to Mickelson, famous for his uncanny short game but lacking the knack of consistent, precision ball striking. A trait which on previous outings led to bogey shoals when navigating The Players' Stadium Course at TPC, and disappointments at Winged Foot and in defense of his Masters" title. "Know thyself", the maxim wisely advises. So Phil wisely engaged Butch. Presto, voila, after only three weeks, at the magician's command, Lefty shoots a closing 3 under at TPC Sawgrass for an 11 under par 277, dispatching one of the strongest fields in years including Sergio Garcia who took 2nd place at 9 under.

With Harmon tutoring, before and even in practice sessions during the tournament, Mickelson appeared more self-assured, composed, and in control.

Mickelson has won many victories with his short game. Now aspires to winning more with his ball striking. Perhaps he's on to something. Here's what Phil himself recently said. " The things I'm working on are correct because I've seen progression. It's steadily gotten better".

Through personal observation and listening here's my analysis of what Mickelson and Harmon are working on:

1. Shortening his backswing
2. Wider arc
3. Left knee flex at top of backswing
4. Eliminate the right side of the golf course

This month's tip deals with three areas of what Phil is working on.

They'll work for you too:

1. Don't let the club get too inside on your take-away. The club-shaft should be parallel to the target line. This makes it much easier to swing on the correct plane.
2. Maintain the flex in your right knee(left for lefties) on your backswing. This keeps you from over turning your hips on the backswing and promotes a powerful pivot.
3. For a shorter backswing with a wide arc. Stop at the top of your backswing, relax and count to three. Now start down and hit your shot. This drill allows you to develop a compact, powerful, repeating swing.
   Thanks Butch for giving us simple solutions to complicated problems.