What the US Open can teach YOU

Ross Fisher - man to watch

  Former European Tour pro Andrew Raitt, currently leading the Southern Region PGA order of merit with a succession of wins, offers an expert insight into the US Open and what you can learn. He salutes Ross Fisher's aggression and Phil Mickelson's takeaway.

THE OUTSTANDING golf in the delayed the third round of the US Open was definitely played by Wentworth's former star junior Ross Fisher. He shot a one under par 69 on that tough Bethpage Black course - with 37 putts!

Sometimes as a pro you can hit a lot of greens playing a little safe and leave yourself a testing two putts that can be misleading in the statistics. This was not the case with Ross. He was aggressive and literally chased the flags all the way around the course,but sadly failing to convert a host of chances inside ten feet.

No wonder he was scratching his head - although you'll notice from his interviews, he nervously does that a lot.

A few weeks ago during the BMW PGA Championship at his home club, he shot an eight under par 64 in the last round and chased the eventual winner Paul Casey all the way to the finish, not to mention the fact that he was 'robbed' on some greens while making that impressive score over the West course.

Impact: Phil Mickelson - freedom in his swing

In my opinion he's still the man to watch as one of the most dramatic US Opens unfolds.

So what can you take away and learn today from watching the TV coverage? Literally that...the takeaway!

I play in a lot of pro-ams and so many amateurs I'm paired with believe that drawing the club inside on the way back increases their turn and potential power and will also help stop them slicing the ball from left to right.

In my opinion, not so. Watch almost any Tour player and see how much the club travels more up and down as opposed to 'around their bodies' in the backswing and follow through.

As the body pivots in the golf swing, the arms should stay relaxed and moved only by the motion of the body. It might be tough for right handers to relate to, but just watch how left-hander Phil Mickelson has been swinging really well this week and he is a great example of this upright action.

The fact that he has such freedom and softness in his hands and arms is why he can move the ball freely in the air. Left to right or right to left, Phil is comfortable with both because he only has to change his address position not his swing.

The ball always starts on the line on which the club is travelling - and where his body is aiming - and finishes where the clubface is aiming at impact!

It should be a very interesting day as the leaders tee off today, knowing that any negative momentum for them will bring in a whole pack of chasing superstars!