Mickelson Checks Out Oakland Hills

by Mulligan Stu on Jul 29, 2008 9:32 PM EDT

A few golfers made the trek to Michigan to check out Oakland Hills today, the site of next week's PGA Championship. Phil Mickelson took three hours to analyze the front nine. Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott took four hours to play 18.

Mickelson and short-game coach Dave Pelz went through their pre-major routine, charting every hole and planning the attack. Said Phil: "We've got a lot more work to do." Yep, at least nine more holes of work.

I suspect the PGA Championship might be a 5-wedge tournament for Phil. Oakland Hills has perhaps the most severe greens in championship golf. Mickelson is going to want his full short-game arsenal.

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odds and evens

maybe he could just play his odd or even irons – that way he could add the second driver again, maybe the 11.5 degree three wood, and still have room for even more wedges.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 29, 2008 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

Good idea

For a silly season tournament. Only carry odd clubs or even clubs. Or hickory clubs. Or just one club.

A buddy of mine played Firestone CC with nothing but a 5-iron once, back when he was breaking 70 in college. Early ‘80s I’d guess. And with the ball and clubs back then, Firestone really played its length. He shot 78. I hate him.

by Mulligan Stu on Jul 30, 2008 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

Michigan Par Three

What’s the par three tournament up in Michigan ? Mickelson and/or Couples used to have a special set of clubs just for that event. Since the holes never required more than a 7 iron, they had 1/2 clubs to fill in smaller gaps. (9, 9 1/2, 8, 8 1/2….)

Did your friend take a putter or putt with the 5-iron, too ? Have you ever tried playing your favorite course with one club like that ? I’d do it, but my home course has three holes with forced carries over a lake that require at least a 3-wood. Guess I could play the forward tees on those holes…

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 30, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions