I like Phil Mickelson

He practices what he preaches.

If it wasn't for Phil Mickelson, I would never have known that most golfers, including myself, putt with a putter that is too long.

I should really thank my friend Peter who relayed the following story to me:

On a recent visit to the States, Peter attended a seminar being headed by Phil Mickelson himself. With five other golf coaches, he was witnessing perhaps the most important putting criteria of his life.

Mickelson is a putting fanatic and probably has more knowledge about its science than most players.

So, when he said, "Most golfers have a putter that is too long and I'll show you why," Peter and his colleagues pricked up their ears and opened their eyes wide in expectation.

Mickelson then told them all to stand up and adopt a gorilla type stance, bending forward and looking at the ground with both arms hanging loosely from the shoulders.

He then pointed out that each and every one of them had extended their hands almost as low as their knees.

He then approached Peter with a normal men's 35" putter and put it in his hands. Peter couldn't believe that in this comfortable stance his putter was at least 4-5" too long.

(Take a look at Padraig Harrington on this graphic with Harald Swash. His putter is at most 30" long.)

Mikelson went on to explain much more fantastic criteria for putting which, Peter and I will be reserving for our private lessons.

Let me take this opportunity to extend my thanks to Peter Foster (PGA Golf Instructor) , who unselfishly passed everything that he learned from Mickelson on to me.

I say 'Mickelson' and Peter says 'Phil' when he's relaying this story. You see he met the man and I can only pass it on second hand.

I am however a much better coach than Peter so you will all have to make up your own minds who you want to learn all this wonderful putting criteria from.

Thanks for listening.

S.MacD.

P.S. Mickelson's putter is only 31.5" long and he aint no dwarf.

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