US PGA tips: Learn to play smart

Phil Mickelson and coach Butch Harmon at Hazeltine this week

Angel Cabrera (US Masters), Lucas Glover (US Open) and Stewart Cink (The Open) have all proved that professional golf is deep in quality with literally everyone in a major field capable of winning! Another great example was in 2002 at Hazeltine, where this year's USPGA is also being staged, when journeyman Rich Beem held off Tiger Woods to claim the Wanamaker Trophy.

Last minute tips for Mickelson from his coach

Players will be severely tested in their long game and short game, with course management even more important with the course set up much tougher than at regular Tour events.

When a course is set up with the kind of yardage and penal rough player will find at Hazeltine, birdies are generally harder to make and saving par after any mistake is vital. At times they won't be able to reach greens in regulation so saving par will be crucial in retaining momentum.

Watch particular how top golfers play smart if they find rough off the tee. Instead of advancing the ball as far as they can towards the green they will lay up to a yardage from which they feel confident. Everyone at pro level has a favourite yardage inside 100 yards that allows them to put enough spin on the ball to stop it on greens that are baked firm.

Hazeltine in the northern state of Minnesota has had five inches of rain over the last couple of weeks but it will dry out quickly with the forecast sun and wind

Harrington signs for the fans at Hazeltine

A rare exception last week in the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone was Padraig Harrington, usually the world's best scrambler. He made a mistake on the 16th, and under pressure to make up time, following one poor shot bad shot with another. Having missed the fairway with his lay up his third went over the green and he finally handed the title to tiger with a triple bogey.

In pro ams, I see so many players try to be aggressive from trouble, attempting shots they might pull off once in a 100. Remember when compiling a good score and you get out of position get back in play at the first opportunity. It prevents making big numbers and you'll be amazed how often you can salvage par if you limit yourself to one bad shot at a time.

Andy Raitt is a former European Tour pro based at St Georges Hill in Surrey and currently leads the PGA Southern Region order of merit.