Mickelson Answers Putting Question, Tiger Woods Tenaciously Scrambles. Also, Laura Davies Doubts Michelle Wie's Mental State. Odyssey Xg Putters

It’s easy to see why professional golfers become distracted when Tiger Woods is somewhere in the pack. If he’s only a few strokes back, chances are his resolve will carry him to victory. That is precisely what happened this weekend at the Dubai Desert Classic.

On the flip side, no one seems to be afraid of Phil Mickelson.

J.B. Holmes’ memories of a 2006 victory at the FBR Open was all he needed to maintain his purpose for this year’s event. And, the claim to fame that he beat Mickelson was also a good incentive.

Phil’s putter let him down once again claiming that a misread putt and a few that “slid by the edge” contributed to a playoff. Although Butch Harmon has been working with Mickelson on his 150-yard approach shots, Lefty found that his golf ball wasn’t as close to the hole as was Na’s. That must have also frustrated him.

This week on our Golf for Beginners podcast we discuss Mickelson’s views from the putter. Is it better to keep your eyes over, or behind, the ball?

We also talk about how the amateur golfer can use Tiger Woods’ scrambling ability and tenacity to improve your own game.

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Michelle Wie takes center stage once again as she receives an exemption to the Fields Open. Has her physical injury healed? Has her mental game improved? All questions will be answered in two weeks.

Laura Davies believes that psychological damage that Michelle Wie endured from playing golf in men’s tournaments will take a year to heal. She also thinks that her own game is ready for the next level, affirming that this is her year to dominate the LPGA Tour..and that includes toppling Lorena Ochoa! At least Davies understands what it takes to win, but, at forty-four years old and with a plethora of new stars on the horizon as well as Annika Sorenstam back in form, the LET star is going to have her hands full.

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The Odyssey two-ball putter has become a mainstay on the PGA Tour. From professional golfers to amateurs, all gain assistance from the golfball-sized white discs on top of the clubface which help align a ball to its target.

Where the design was initially unusual, the technology which offered exceptional resiliency and performance also became the backbone of Odyssey’s line-up of putters. And, with the introduction of the elasticore multi layer insert technology, the advancements are noticeable.

With the introduction of the Divine Line of putters designed specifically for women, I wondered if I would notice a difference between the new White Hot XG and the Divine, or if one should rely on a putter’s performance predominantly based upon the length of its shaft?

This question, and more, are answered in this week's golf podcast.

Click here to listen.