Not many can claim that they are better at the short game than Phil Mickelson. Lefty has always had a knack for getting out of tough spots, though he’s just as capable of smashing it long when the situation calls for it. Still, it’s his short game that sets him apart, the skill that often gives him the edge. Even for someone as naturally talented as Mickelson, getting out of a bunker takes precision, practice, and plenty of know-how.

But he stood tall in the dunes, without a shadow of worry. Because he always knew what he was doing. That’s what worried his opponents, because they didn’t. In the era of the big cat, if there was anyone else who was able to drive the fans, the numbers, and Tiger Woods‘s frustration, it was Mickelson. For over three decades, he has been consistently doing that. To make this better, over the last few years, Lefty has also decided to share his knowledge with others. We’re here to spread some of it. Here are three of the best tips Phil Mickelson has provided about tackling a bunker shot.

Tilt the spine

When playing a bunker shot, it’s vital to make perfect contact with the ball. You can’t risk skimming it or catching too much sand. Especially if the lay is firm. Hence, Mickelson has vital advice to ensure you are positioned correctly on top of the ball. “Set your weight forward and tilt your spine toward the target. From there, you’ll automatically hit closer to the ball. You’re playing this shot with an open clubface, so you won’t have any trouble getting the ball up.”

When you’re tilted ahead, you won’t have difficulty reaching the ball or have to rely on your wrist to scoop the ball out of the sand. Leaning slightly forward with an open-faced wedge allows you to make precise contact with the ball and chip it out. It may seem like tilting back would make more sense here. However, the risk there would be that you won’t be able to reach the ball or under-hit it. And that makes it a less reliable angle than leaning forward.

Lay the club flat

Another thing about bunker shots is, you don’t actually have to make direct contact with the ball. You have to use the bounce of the club from the sand to interact with the ball to chip it out. And to execute that efficiently, it’s vital to lay the club flat while you’re finishing your swing. When swinging down, ensure that you are leaning forward on your leading foot and the trajectory of your swing finishes fractionally before it makes contact with the ball.

The wedge runs through the sand and indirectly comes in contact with the ball. It not only uses the angle of the wedge to direct the ball, but also the bounce from the sand. This helps you get better elevation and more control over your chip. This is also one of the major reasons golfers clear any debris around the lay to ensure they get a clear surface to hit off the bunker.

Break & accelerate

While executing a perfect swing, there are two vital things you need to keep in mind. The first one is, you need to have complete control over your wrist. It’s important to lock your wrist early after you have started your swing. If you keep adjusting your wrist angle during your downswing, then there is a good chance you will mishit the ball. Having a firm, but safe control over your wrist allows you to hit the ball accurately while also ensuring that you don’t hurt yourself after completing your swing.

The reason your wrist shouldn’t be too firm is that you’re hitting through the sand. And that’s the second vital swing tip. Don’t focus on targeting the sand. You should aim at accelerating the swing through the sand to find the ball. That means, you are only supposed to skim through enough of the surface of the sand that can be carried to the ball without being an obstacle to your swing. If you dig too deep, then the sand will break your swing, and that may lead to various outcomes, including mishits, damage to your wrist, or shoulder injuries.

Mastering the bunker takes more than raw talent. It requires the right technique, focus, and a bit of Mickelson’s mindset. With these tips, golfers of all levels can chip away confidently, just like Lefty has done for decades.