Swing Sequence: Phil Mickelson

By Phil Mickelson | Analysis By Rick Smith

Photos By Dom Furore

April 2005

View his swing in motion: Face-on Downline

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Golf Instruction / Swing Sequence

Age: 34
Height: 6-feet-2
Weight: 190
Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Fusion prototype, 9 degrees loft
Ball: Callaway HX Tour 56 prototype
Clubhead speed: 120 mph
Ball speed: 178 mph
Average driving distance: 299.1 yards

I've really improved how I prepare for a season, and a big part of that preparation has been understanding what gives me my best chance to play well. It doesn't happen for me when I'm forcing things -- trying to make a bunch of birdies. Winning at Augusta happened because I relaxed and let my game take care of itself. I played the last seven holes of the tournament five under, and it felt like the game was going in slow motion.

The 59 I shot at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in November at Poipu Bay was another payoff for the change in mind-set. I wasn't very sharp off the tee, but I stayed relaxed. When I got to the greens, I could see the putting lines unbelievably well. All of a sudden, I'm standing on the 18th tee thinking about making eagle on the par 5 to shoot 58.

This year, I'm even more excited. My second-round 60 on the way to winning the FBR Open was a great feeling. Going back to Augusta as the defending champion will be an incredible thrill, and I can't wait to play in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, where I finished second in 1999. I feel like I was five shots away from having a truly exceptional season last year. I'm looking forward to putting myself in that position again.