Why does a flat ball skip better?

When did Phil Mickelson skip a ball off of a lake to make an eagle?

• I saw a watch ad in a golf magazine featuring Phil Mickelson, and it said that he once skipped a ball off of a lake on to the green and made an eagle. Anyone know when and where he ...show more

• Answer:

  I don't know that he ever did that during a tournament, but he claims to have the shot available. I read an article in I believe Golf Digest where he said he could skip a one iron across the lake. In the same article he said he could hit a wedge off an upslope backwards over his head. Most pros could probably do it, just hit it hard and a little thin (super stinger?) to hit it low with a lot of overspin. Pretty risky though as if it doesn't work you get to try it again hitting four.